Velocity Points and Status Credit on Partner Airline Codeshares

[scibo10]

I am flying from JFK to LHR and would like to treat myself to a Premium Economy. Given the very lousy status credit earn rates on VS, the only option available is DL.

I note that DL do not have a Y+ cabin. You can purchase a Y+ fare on a DL coded flight, however AF operate the flight.

I rang the call centre to enquire about this, and was advised that given the flight is DL coded, I would earn Y+ points and status credits.

However, this seems to go against Velocity's terms & conditions, specifically,

6.15 Points and Status Credits may not be earned or may be earned at different rates for Codeshare Flights. Please see the Velocity Website for full details.

Has anyone had any experience in this? Thanks.

 

[airtraveladdict]

I also wondered about this a week ago when Delta was officially added on the website, on another post
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....city/new-status-earn-partner-delta-34068.html

Because Delta doesn't fly to Paris as much (if not at all) so I had been curious whether I would earn Velocity SC/points on their codeshare partner. Otherwise it would be a hassle to book a JFK - LHR flight and then go to Paris.

"It is an interesting development because Delta codeshares with KLM/Air France to Europe, so I guess ill earn Velocity SC and points if that ticket has a Delta flight number and not an AF/KLM No."

But another AFFer told me this

"It is my understanding that you will not get SCs and points when flying codeshare with an airline that is not part of Virgin Australia's little alliance. So a TATL (transatlantic flight) that is DL-coded and operated will be fine, but DL-coded and AF/KL-operated will not work,"

Were you told something different by Velocity?

Also from my experience, i dont know whether it was a once-off or not, I flew VS from Newark - LHR this year on Y+ or Prem Econ and was awarded 90 SC, yet the website said its supposed to be 35 SC only.

I flew from LHR - JFK in Economy and on the return journey, i bought a cash upgrade at the check-in counter.

But you dont get extra points for being velocity gold FF with VS
Activity between 01 Jul 2011 and 31 Jul 2011

Processed Date	Activity Date	Description	Status Credits	Velocity Points
29 Jul 11	05 Jul 11	Newark, New York-Heathrow, London	90	4,323		4,323
06 Jul 11	24 Jun 11	Heathrow, London-JFK, New York	30	865		865

BUT on the Velocity website table it reads.

Zone	One-Way Miles	Discount Economy	Full Fare Economy	Premium Economy	Upper Class
4	3,001-5,000	25	25	35	65

 

[scibo10]

Thanks for your reply airtraveladdict

It does seem very inconsistent. 90 SCs on Y+ instead of 35, and Y accrual for a Y+ upgrade (that should earn Y+ rates right?)

I was ready to buy a Y+ fare from JFK to LHR on VS, but as I will be close to reaching Plat by then, I don't want to settle for just 35 SCs.

Velocity advised that I would earn points and status on DL codeshares oped by AF, but I am not wanting to take the risk.

Could a Velocity Rep perhaps clarify this for us?

 

[airtraveladdict]

Thanks for your reply airtraveladdict

It does seem very inconsistent. 90 SCs on Y+ instead of 35, and Y accrual for a Y+ upgrade (that should earn Y+ rates right?)

I was ready to buy a Y+ fare from JFK to LHR on VS, but as I will be close to reaching Plat by then, I don't want to settle for just 35 SCs.

Velocity advised that I would earn points and status on DL codeshares oped by AF, but I am not wanting to take the risk.

Could a Velocity Rep perhaps clarify this for us?

The points accrual for the LHR - JFK was only 800 because it was a discount economy which is only 0.25 velocity points per mile, but on the flight back I bought a cash upgrade for $270 for a 6 hour 50 minute flight to Y+ and was awarded 1.25 velocity points per mile. Funny thing was i considered upgrading on the website and it was $600+ so i changed my mind, but when I rocked up to Newark, they offered it to me for $270 one way.

The 90 SC awarded for the Y+ flight on VS is consistent with flights Virgin Australia (V Aus), which made me wonder if it was a one-off event that Velocity awarded me 90 SC for the VS flight, although i didn't complain the high light of course is that being a gold member, we can use the Virgin club lounge at heathrow, which I heard is awesome.

Although I am dissapointed we don't earn tier bonus miles for Delta or VS flight, its only on Virgin Australia (V Aus) and Etihad flights.

Anyway this was my thought, if it is a "ticketed" Delta flight number, it is technically a Delta flight. So you should get points and SC, unless the ticket has an AF/KLM flight number.

 

[Virgin Australia]

I am flying from JFK to LHR and would like to treat myself to a Premium Economy. Given the very lousy status credit earn rates on VS, the only option available is DL.

I note that DL do not have a Y+ cabin. You can purchase a Y+ fare on a DL coded flight, however AF operate the flight.

I rang the call centre to enquire about this, and was advised that given the flight is DL coded, I would earn Y+ points and status credits.

However, this seems to go against Velocity's terms & conditions, specifically,

6.15 Points and Status Credits may not be earned or may be earned at different rates for Codeshare Flights. Please see the Velocity Website for full details.

Has anyone had any experience in this? Thanks.

You won't be able to earn/burn SC's on partner codeshares that are operated by entirely different airlines who are not partners (eg DL operated by KLM) as per the website.

Have asked ansettaddict for details of that VS earn.

 

[airtraveladdict]

You won't be able to earn/burn SC's on partner codeshares that are operated by entirely different airlines who are not partners (eg DL operated by KLM) as per the website.

Have asked ansettaddict for details of that VS earn.

Thanks for clearing it up VA.

 

[777]

You won't be able to earn/burn SC's on partner codeshares that are operated by entirely different airlines who are not partners (eg DL operated by KLM) as per the website.

How about the Delta flights operated by regional subsidiaries/ affiliates within the US. I don;t think they are technically codeshares but I've just noticed that there are a lot of these. I assume these are in the same boat?

 

[JB007]

How about the Delta flights operated by regional subsidiaries/ affiliates within the US. I don;t think they are technically codeshares but I've just noticed that there are a lot of these. I assume these are in the same boat?

Beat me to it 777.

Our LAS - LAX flight is operated by Skywest Airlines and it looks like all the LAX > SFO flights are operated by the same company. I would hope that they would still qualify.

I guess its similar to the Air NZ flights to Pacific Islands not being eligible for Status Credits either.

 

[dk4]

And I too have the same issue coming up - a Delta flight "*Operated by COMPASS AIRLINES".

Personally I think that, given it's reliance on partner airlines and codeshares, VA needs to rethink its Velocity strategy (status credits, points & bonuses*). It really needs to be simple and consistent.

i.e. No ifs, no buts - the same Status Credits, Points and bonuses* earned on all partner’s codes, as if travelling VA metal itself. (Not to mention VA's own codeshares, earning at VA metal rates!)

VA management needs to seriously walk away from partners who won't agree to these non-negotiable terms (including VS, who should be the most compliant, as Branson should be told to convey the message to Atlantic that Australia will tell 'em to piss off if they don't).

Their program already risks becoming too wielding and complex to bother trying to understand.

* & lounge access

 

[SeaWolf]

Outside of oneworld, the rules about not earning on codeshares operated by non-partners are pretty much standard. oneworld carriers are the exception, rather than the rule.

 

[Mh4k]

Was denied velocity points for a claim against a Delta-coded Delta Connect flight. Delta Connect, apparently, are not part of Delta. OK...

This is the big gap in the virgin partner network. Too many of Delta's routes are codeshared, VA flies a very limited number of services from a very limited number of ports, and there are currently no partners offering true EU regional services. VA need to hurry up and consummate the relationship with Star Alliance already.

This was mostly acceptable while VA were positioned as a budget carrier but to go up against Qantas is to go up against One World and the existing somewhat patchy partner network is a weak spot in an otherwise very strong offering.

 

[airtraveladdict]

Was denied velocity points for a claim against a Delta-coded Delta Connect flight. Delta Connect, apparently, are not part of Delta. OK...

This is the big gap in the virgin partner network. Too many of Delta's routes are codeshared, VA flies a very limited number of services from a very limited number of ports, and there are currently no partners offering true EU regional services. VA need to hurry up and consummate the relationship with Star Alliance already.

This was mostly acceptable while VA were positioned as a budget carrier but to go up against Qantas is to go up against One World and the existing somewhat patchy partner network is a weak spot in an otherwise very strong offering.

Yep, im a Virgin fan but I've got admit that One World is probably the best alliance out there, the reciprocal benefits for loyal frequent flyers in One World is top notch.

Star Alliance has a bit of catching up, having said that, it will open up many ports for Velocity members to earn SC and miles.

I wanted to fly from Paris to New York next year, but I can't find any Europe-USA transatlantic airlines which will allow me to earn SC and miles on velocity. Delta and Virgin Atlantic fly to London but not Paris or any other European city.

And Delta codeshare's with Air France/KLM but they are not partner airlines of Velocity, so no SC/points.

But I think John Borghetti is working on that, so I'm excited to see what happens next.

 

[scibo10]

You won't be able to earn/burn SC's on partner codeshares that are operated by entirely different airlines who are not partners (eg DL operated by KLM) as per the website.

Thanks for your reply Virgin Australia, however I do have a query re your answer. Are you saying that you can earn velocity points on partner coded non-partner operated flights, but not SCs, or is it no points and SCs?

And Delta codeshare's with Air France/KLM but they are not partner airlines of Velocity, so no SC/points.

But I think John Borghetti is working on that, so I'm excited to see what happens next.

I hope JB is working on this. I was beginning to think that VA could pull off remaining outside a global alliance, but with the exclusion of codeshares on partner airlines, it does make many routes unavailable for VA. OW, *A or ST, have the advantage of more available flights to more destinations, and in general (but not always) the rules are more standardised and easier to follow, especially in terms of lounge entry.

The above may well be rectified in the near future anyway. Like many here, am very happy with VA. Keep up the good work.

 

[JB007]

So if I was making a SYD > SFO or LAS booking through the V Australia website at what time would I be able to see that the LAX > SFO or LAS flights aren't operated by a partner airline? If I click on the flight number it indicates that it is a Delta flight, no mention of Skywest Airlines operating the flight. Would that then mean that I have a VA flight number but aren't eligible for SC's or points?

I guess you could always fly Virgin America but it removes the advantage of flying into Terminal 5 and from what I can see the VX option doesn't seem to be available.

 

[Virgin Australia]

How about the Delta flights operated by regional subsidiaries/ affiliates within the US. I don;t think they are technically codeshares but I've just noticed that there are a lot of these. I assume these are in the same boat?

Earn data is reported back by the operating carrier. If we don't have a relationship with the operating carrier then no data is reported back even if the flight is marketed by a partner airline.

In saying that, DL coded flights operated by Delta Connection carriers are included for earn within the scope of our partnership with Delta. These include flights operated by XJ, OH, 9E, OO, EV, CP, S5, and RP.

(ie Mesaba, Comair, Pinnacle Airlines, Skywest, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Compass Airlines, Shuttle America, Chautauqua Airlines)

 

[notzac]

In saying that, DL coded flights operated by Delta Connection carriers are included for earn within the scope of our partnership with Delta. These include flights operated by XJ, OH, 9E, OO, EV, CP, S5, and RP.

(ie Mesaba, Comair, Pinnacle Airlines, Skywest, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Compass Airlines, Shuttle America, Chautauqua Airlines)

Could this be added to the website somewhere pretty please? It would be nice if your website listed the marketing and operating carrier combinations that permitted points earn, such as the above list (and presumably DL marketed flights on VA/DJ metal).

Maybe it could be added in to this page somehow: Status Earn Fare Class| Velocity Frequent Flyer

 

[Virgin Australia]

Could this be added to the website somewhere pretty please? It would be nice if your website listed the marketing and operating carrier combinations that permitted points earn, such as the above list (and presumably DL marketed flights on VA/DJ metal).

Maybe it could be added in to this page somehow: Status Earn Fare Class| Velocity Frequent Flyer

Good point. Will talk to the team about having more details added!

 

[scheps]

Apologies for slight off tangent question but...

e.g. when flying air NZ from bne to LAX, it goes via auckland. Will the SC be calculated by distance between bne and lax or bne to auckland to LAX?

thanks

 

[JB007]

Could this be added to the website somewhere pretty please? It would be nice if your website listed the marketing and operating carrier combinations that permitted points earn, such as the above list (and presumably DL marketed flights on VA/DJ metal).

Maybe it could be added in to this page somehow: Status Earn Fare Class| Velocity Frequent Flyer

+1

Many thanks VA for clarifying this, much happier about choosing Delta over Virgin America now

 

[maninblack]

Good point. Will talk to the team about having more details added!

Fix the website job number 129

See, Frequent Flyer - Earning Points - Fly - Airline Partners for a few pointers.