Virgin Australia FF - now based in US - help!

[KiwiFlyer79]

Hi all,
My husband and I are both Virgin Australia Platinum FF. We relocated to the US earlier this year for work temporarily (two to three years). We have subsequently joined up with United FF in an attempt to leverage the new 'partnership'. We were booking flights to Europe a couple of months ago and spoke to both United and Virgin Australia about our ability to use Velocity points for anything on United. Virgin told us points can only be used on Virgin coded flights (which are basically only flying around Australia). United keeps thinking we are talking about Virgin Atlantic and doesn't know who Virgin Australia are.

Does anyone know if we are missing something in terms of how to use out Velocity points somehow while we are in the US (likely through United)? Otherwise the points are completely worthless to us until we return to Australia which is not in the foreseeable future.

Our most likely use of the points would be to upgrade for either flights back to Aus or across to Europe. It appears any way we try to use them is a hard NO.

Appreciate any advice.

KiwiFlyer79

 

[bam71]

Whoever you spoke to at VA is certainly wrong. See screenshot, you can use VA points on UA flights.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Will also need to keep VA points alive during your 2-3 years. Check the expiry dates
An eligible UA paid flight crediting to velocity. Or an award on UA. Or some other as VA web site partners.

Point hacks (who now own AFF)-->Everything you need to know about the Virgin Australia-United partnership

United Airlines

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

A couple of things:
1. You can use Velocity Points for UA reward flights, however outside of Australia to SFO/LAX, availability is VERY limited.
2. You can fly UA to credit to VA, and that would keep your Velocity points "safe" (as you'll have some activity there), however they won't count for eligible sectors to maintain status.
3. You'd be best to ask UA for a status match challenge, and then see what they offer. If you get no love from UA, see if either DL or AA will accept a challenge and work from there.

Best of luck

 

[KiwiFlyer79]

Whoever you spoke to at VA is certainly wrong. See screenshot, you can use VA points on UA flights.

Interesting. Thanks for the screenshot. We'll take a look. Appreciate your reply.

 

[KiwiFlyer79]

Will also need to keep VA points alive during your 2-3 years. Check the expiry dates
An eligible UA paid flight crediting to velocity. Or an award on UA. Or some other as VA web site partners.

Point hacks (who now own AFF)-->Everything you need to know about the Virgin Australia-United partnership

United Airlines

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Many thanks. Will check it out.