Virgin Australia and Qatar Announce Strategic Partnership

[BNEFlyer]

Hi there,

Does anyone know if the QR/VA partnership also includes complimentary preferred seating in QR's economy (QR's 380 upper deck) for Velocity Gold Members (as is the case for Oneworld gold members)? I am asking because I have a QR flight booked and have included my Velocity gold number but would still be charged for preferred seating. Wasn't this part of the partnership, too?

Unfortunately, it does not. I flew with them recently and also had QR Gold (thanks to the VA status match) so was able to get the extra legroom and UD Y seats for free. Extra leg room I'd pay for, UD Y was lovely (very quiet, half-empty cabin) but I wouldn't necessarily pay for it, especially if the flight wasn't full. You should be able to choose a seat there at check-in.

 

[Happy Migrant]

Thanks for the reply, BNEFlyer. So I take it you just waited until the check-in opened and then were able to choose the upper deck seats for free?

 

[BNEFlyer]

Thanks for the reply, BNEFlyer. So I take it you just waited until the check-in opened and then were able to choose the upper deck seats for free?

I had my QR FF on the booking so was able to choose them without charge.

 

[somebol]

Does VA website allow mixed class bookings e.g. Syd - Doh in F and onwards in J.
Or do we have to call VFF?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Does VA website allow mixed class bookings e.g. Syd - Doh in F and onwards in J.
Or do we have to call VFF?

It's possible if you call but you will be charged separately for each sector i.e. SYD-DOH F, then DOH-xx_ in J. Not the through rate SYD-DOH-xx_.

 

[justinbrett]

If I book a QR award (looking at SIN-DOH-AUH) with Velocity points, can I enter my QF number to receive OWE benefits?

 

[andye]

If I book a QR award (looking at SIN-DOH-AUH) with Velocity points, can I enter my QF number to receive OWE benefits?

You can. May need to do via Finnair website

 

[justinbrett]

You can. May need to do via Finnair website

Thanks, just booked. Had a massive problem with ticketing (had to call) but finally got it sorted. I'm guessing still issues with IT systems between the airlines.

Manage to change FF directly on Qatar's website, and I could select any seat for free, so I'm assuming it worked. Seems pretty sneaky to use my QF status on a VA award, but there you go!

 

[SYD]

Thanks, just booked. Had a massive problem with ticketing (had to call) but finally got it sorted. I'm guessing still issues with IT systems between the airlines.

Manage to change FF directly on Qatar's website, and I could select any seat for free, so I'm assuming it worked. Seems pretty sneaky to use my QF status on a VA award, but there you go!

I was scratching my head if someone else had discussed this scenario. Pretty sure a few comments on changing from QR <-> VA (and mainly on revenue tix). But good to know.

SQ is a known PITA for not letting you sub your KF# for another *A or VA FF# on reward bookings.

 

[twiningb]

Any recent datapoints on how long points and status credits for QR-operated-and-marketed flights take to post to Velocity?

 

[Andrew Curran]

I did a number of QR flights about two months ago and they took between one and four weeks to post to my Velocity account but all eventually posted.

I would be interested to know if VA/QR have sorted out the third-party lounge access yet, particularly the AirNZ lounge in SYD. Does anyone have an update?

 

[simmomelb]

I did a number of QR flights about two months ago and they took between one and four weeks to post to my Velocity account but all eventually posted.

I would be interested to know if VA/QR have sorted out the third-party lounge access yet, particularly the AirNZ lounge in SYD. Does anyone have an update?

You can use it, but ONLY if you get a pass from the check in desk first. If you miss doing this you will have no luck getting entry.
Not that this is ideal, as many wouldn't know this.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Any one done the ADL - AKL or vv sector yet?
As AirNZ does not have a J on this route, (on their sector NZ/ANZ191), the QR one would be a good one to do on the way to AKL, great if you can have your work finished by 4.30pm/5pm, and out to ADL airport by 8pm, to do outgoing formalities, and to the secure zone by 10.45pm for the flight to AKL.
Yes, I will do it one day, maybe Jul 2024, if QR keeps this route up to then.

 

[twiningb]

Any one done the ADL - AKL or vv sector yet?
As AirNZ does not have a J on this route, (on their sector NZ/ANZ191), the QR one would be a good one to do on the way to AKL, great if you can have your work finished by 4.30pm/5pm, and out to ADL airport by 8pm, to do outgoing formalities, and to the secure zone by 10.45pm for the flight to AKL.
Yes, I will do it one day, maybe Jul 2024, if QR keeps this route up to then.

Yes, I flew over Friday evening and came back last night, in QSuites both ways (same airframe). I booked AKL-ADL in July or so using Cathay miles, and paid cash for the outbound more recently.

 

[jase05]

Any one done the ADL - AKL or vv sector yet?
As AirNZ does not have a J on this route, (on their sector NZ/ANZ191), the QR one would be a good one to do on the way to AKL, great if you can have your work finished by 4.30pm/5pm, and out to ADL airport by 8pm, to do outgoing formalities, and to the secure zone by 10.45pm for the flight to AKL.
Yes, I will do it one day, maybe Jul 2024, if QR keeps this route up to then.

Doing it Thursday.
Paid J both ways for both of us. Only a short trip for a week.
Flight departs ADL at 1835 currently

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Do let us know the VFF/QFF points that they issue after the trip.

 

[jase05]

Do let us know the VFF/QFF points that they issue after the trip.

We are both VA Plats and my wife will credit hers to VA but I’m crediting mine to my BAEC account.

 

[jase05]

Currently in ADL VA lounge ahead of ADL-AKL flight and as a data point on check in J pax and QR status pax have “ VA Lounge Access” printed on their boarding pass. Obviously you also have access to the QF lounge but staff don’t make that known unless you ask. I queried one of the staff just out of curiosity and it was explained to me that they send their passengers to VA as they have an arrangement with them for lounge access. The last QR flight departs several hours after the last VA and QF flights and QF refused to remain open whereas VA have agreed to stay open for them. Lounge staff said usually only about 20-30 QR pax in lounge for the late flight so it’s pretty quiet and at this stage QR haven’t indicated if they are going to move into the new airside lounge or not.

 

[twiningb]

Currently in ADL VA lounge ahead of ADL-AKL flight and as a data point on check in J pax and QR status pax have “ VA Lounge Access” printed on their boarding pass. Obviously you also have access to the QF lounge but staff don’t make that known unless you ask. I queried one of the staff just out of curiosity and it was explained to me that they send their passengers to VA as they have an arrangement with them for lounge access. The last QR flight departs several hours after the last VA and QF flights and QF refused to remain open whereas VA have agreed to stay open for them. Lounge staff said usually only about 20-30 QR pax in lounge for the late flight so it’s pretty quiet and at this stage QR haven’t indicated if they are going to move into the new airside lounge or not.

I took the same flight, in J, a week ago and tried the QF lounge and was affirmatively turned away. I specifically queried OneWorld reciprocity and was told only for elites, not for J pax.

 

[AIRwin]

I took the same flight, in J, a week ago and tried the QF lounge and was affirmatively turned away. I specifically queried OneWorld reciprocity and was told only for elites, not for J pax.

That seems to be in line with the eligibility criteria:

Qantas Lounge Access Eligibility | Qantas

Find out more on Qantas Lounge access eligibility whether your traveling in First, Business; are a Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qantas Club or oneworld member.

www.qantas.com