VA2.0 International Partners

[Nathant123]

I’m heading to Abu Dhabi in January and then to Oman but was looking to burn a few velocity points in the process. Quite surprising and a little disappointing that the fees are so high with redemptions. It’s a shame the a380s aren’t back. Don’t think I’ve done business on their 787 though it can’t be that bad surely!

 

[jase05]

I’m heading to Abu Dhabi in January and then to Oman but was looking to burn a few velocity points in the process. Quite surprising and a little disappointing that the fees are so high with redemptions. It’s a shame the a380s aren’t back. Don’t think I’ve done business on their 787 though it can’t be that bad surely!

I liked the 787 J product but no idea if they have different variants throughout their fleet

 

[TMP]

I’m heading to Abu Dhabi in January and then to Oman but was looking to burn a few velocity points in the process. Quite surprising and a little disappointing that the fees are so high with redemptions. It’s a shame the a380s aren’t back. Don’t think I’ve done business on their 787 though it can’t be that bad surely!

The Etihad 787 J class was very pleasant from my experience. Seat comfortable (although no mattress topper for the bed). Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure the 787 and A380 J class hard product is identical.

 

[antycbr]

The Etihad 787 J class was very pleasant from my experience. Seat comfortable (although no mattress topper for the bed). Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure the 787 and A380 J class hard product is identical.

Speaking of EY, do they have a date when they are moving to their new terminal in AUH?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Speaking of EY, do they have a date when they are moving to their new terminal in AUH?

No one knows. The project is a shambles. There was a rumour it would open in time for Expo Dubai but nothing.

 

[dajop]

I agree but I also got to use the J lounge through class of service entitlement and was underwhelmed for their “home” lounge.

I suspect that I’m thinking about this the wrong way - that you don’t really need to impress at home as you have a captive market there. SQ at Sydney is nicer than SQ Singapore.

Not sure what the QF J lounge at SYD is like but as an example of a (sort of) home lounge, QF J lounge at MEL T2 is nothing to write home about. Nor is BA’s at LHR. (The F lounges of course are a different standard (and QF’s home F lounges beat SQ F lounge hands down)).

But on the other hand …. A home lounge that is worth a visit is TK’s J lounge.

 

[Mr H]

Not sure what the QF J lounge at SYD is like but as an example of a (sort of) home lounge, QF J lounge at MEL T2 is nothing to write home about. Nor is BA’s at LHR.

I think that's harsh. The LHR T5 J lounges that I remember were pretty good - the best BA J lounges I had come across and compared favourably with most other J lounges.

 

[jrfsp]

Not sure what the QF J lounge at SYD is like but as an example of a (sort of) home lounge, QF J lounge at MEL T2 is nothing to write home about. Nor is BA’s at LHR. (The F lounges of course are a different standard (and QF’s home F lounges beat SQ F lounge hands down)).

But on the other hand …. A home lounge that is worth a visit is TK’s J lounge.

BAs LHR T5 lounge feels about as premium as feeding time at the zoo.

I actually really like the BA First lounge at Gatwick though. Way better seated made to order service, good views and much smaller and intimate.

 

[dajop]

I think that's harsh. The LHR T5 J lounges that I remember were pretty good - the best BA J lounges I had come across and compared favourably with most other J lounges.

Lounge opinions are of course subjective. In the context of this thread though, IME I haven't noticed anything that overall would make the BA lounge substantially better or worse than the J lounge that SQ provides in SIN, on a good day, at the right time one could be better than the other or vice versa. Now I probably have a coloured view of the BA lounge, as I've only used BA T5A (North) lounge - after moving back to OW Sapphire from OW Emerald - so my point of comparison was the F lounge which I'd used on previous journeys through or from LHR.

gain in the context of this thread, the main point of differentiation for VA WP's/SG's is that flying economy through SQ's hub, is they can't access the SQ J lounge - instead consigned to an inferior Gold lounge, whilst QF WP's flying economy through BA's hub can of course access the BA J or F lounges (as appropriate to their status), so get a better partner airline experience. (Not that VA's lot are disadvantaged - top tiers on UA, LH, etc all have the same access privileges as VA top tiers when flying SQ economy).

 

[Mr H]

I haven't noticed anything that overall would make the BA lounge substantially better or worse than the J lounge that SQ provides in SIN.

Daylight?

 

[dajop]

Daylight?

There's daylight in London?

 

[twiningb]

There's daylight in London?

There was, for a few minutes in July of 1645

 

[jase05]

 

[MooTime]

View attachment 264495

So VA rewarding those who travel on VA's partners internationally, but not those travelling on VA metal internationally......hmmm!

Just 1 International atm, Fiji, but why leave it out. Actually can't you book NZ & Bali on VA metal atm for later in 2022??

 

[AIRwin]

So VA rewarding those who travel on VA's partners internationally, but not those travelling on VA metal internationally......hmmm!

You can already earn status credits for now:

Earn more Status Credits with Virgin Australia

As we look towards more borders opening, we are excited to share these Status offers with you. With an increasing network, new aircraft joining our fleet and our award winning Cabin Crew, it's time to spread your wings with Virgin Australia.

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[MooTime]

You can already earn status credits for now.

Good point.
I didn't realise that offer was for international VA.

Thank you.

 

[drron]

There was, for a few minutes in July of 1645

That was probably just the glare from the ice when the Thames froze.

When The Thames Froze Over: The ‘Little Ice Age’ Thames Frost Fairs

Between roughly 1300 – 1850, the world experienced the ‘Little Ice Age’, where there was significant cooling in global temperatures. Temperatures and the effects varied from region to region and ye…

justhistoryposts.com

 

[The-Aviator]

Thanks for flagging the AC redemptions opening up, was able to nab 2 x J return tickets in June! Seems a very good value redemption, only ~$230 in taxes, no carrier charge and the equivalent cash fare at the moment is ~$7,800.

Interesting from my reading even if you're in business you won't get access to the Signature level of the lounge at YVR as you're on a redemption, have to slum it in the Maple Leaf lounge...

Was looking into this on the AC website and it suggests some of the flexible reward seats are allowed access. It lists Class I which is the class shown on my itinerary, so fingers crossed but suppose we will find out on the day!

 

[jase05]

Thanks for flagging the AC redemptions opening up, was able to nab 2 x J return tickets in June! Seems a very good value redemption, only ~$230 in taxes, no carrier charge and the equivalent cash fare at the moment is ~$7,800.



Was looking into this on the AC website and it suggests some of the flexible reward seats are allowed access. It lists Class I which is the class shown on my itinerary, so fingers crossed but suppose we will find out on the day!

I noticed today that AC has opened up seats on the direct BNE-YVR service on the 787. Seems to be starting in April but no J seats on offer that I could see

 

[Revenge]

Thanks for flagging the AC redemptions opening up, was able to nab 2 x J return tickets in June! Seems a very good value redemption, only ~$230 in taxes, no carrier charge and the equivalent cash fare at the moment is ~$7,800.

How many points per person per direction? Is it fixed or variable pricing on points? On Aeroplan they seem to vary wildly.