Virgin America Elevate - VA and VX reach interline agreement

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=a_iWOUvKftWI&refer=australia


Separately, Virgin Blue’s international airline V Australia and U.S.-based Virgin America reached a deal allowing customers to buy a single ticket online for travel in both countries using either carrier, according to a media release.


Can't find the "media release", though.

I did confirm that it showed VX flights on VAustralia.com (for some connections).

Here's one from the VA site: http://vaustralia.com.au/about-us/media-releases/view-media-releases/P_008865.html

Alright! Looks like I may be flying to Seattle in July. It'll be nice to have one itinerary and interlined baggage. Search for a flight from BNE->SEA and VX flight numbers show up! :D^ (July 10: 07:00 Los Angeles, 14:40 Seattle, VX789). NW and AS flights also appear depending on the destination and time/date.

From the press release:
Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “We are delighted to be formally partnering with Virgin America to offer great travel benefits not only from Australia to the US on V Australia but beyond Los Angeles across Virgin America’s extensive and expanding route network.”

Great news! Later in the year velcoity members will also be able to earn/burn on VX also :)

As of June 8, 2009, guests will be eligible to earn Elevate frequent flier points for the Virgin America leg of their journey. By early next year, guests will be able to earn either Virgin America Elevate points or Velocity Points for their travel on Virgin America, V Australia or Virgin Blue flights. Eventually, guests will also be able to redeem their Elevate points or Velocity Points for flights on Virgin America, V Australia or Virgin Blue.

I thought this was the most interesting part of the Press Release. I will, eventually, be able to redeem my Elevate points for V Australia flights. Free flight to Australia!!

it's important to note that initial booking can only be done through V Australia right now. Virgin America only has limited access (like seat changes) to the reservation.

I thought this was the most interesting part of the Press Release. I will, eventually, be able to redeem my Elevate points for V Australia flights. Free flight to Australia!!

I'd love to redeem my VX flights on DJ right now... that would be great!

it would be great if it was also the other way around.

That i could earn Velocity points on VX!

This agreement should also mean that Elevate members will eventually be able to redeem their points for the "International Business Class Award" - which is a major reason FF'ers give for not wanting to switch to VX.

Hopefully VX can get another agreement with VS to give Elevate members access across the other pond.

This agreement should also mean that Elevate members will eventually be able to redeem their points for the "International Business Class Award" - which is a major reason FF'ers give for not wanting to switch to VX.

Hopefully VX can get another agreement with VS to give Elevate members access across the other pond.

It's a start but the ability to redeem to Australia alone will not be enough to lure many. Depending on how redemption is set up, however, it could send a message that the VX points one earns now may be useful for something other than Vegas.

I would think someone who wants to redeem for international travel is not going to be satisfied with just the VA/DJ/VS route network- anything on VS means a connection through LHR, for instance (and doubt the VS network is really set up for US-based pax connecting through LHR), and flying LAX-JFK-LHR-NRT on VS (or maybe LAX-SYD-NRT on VA/DJ) is just kinda crazy. You'd probably want SQ added in too, and if that happened you'd start getting somewhere, maybe...

Here's a link to VX's Press Release:
http://www.virginamerica.com/va/press/2009/Jun/Virgin_America_Signs_First_Interline_Agreement_wit h_V_Australia_Airlines.html