Skymiles earned on KLM marketed, Virgin Atlantic metal?
May 2, 19, 2:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 98
Skymiles earned on KLM marketed, Virgin Atlantic metal?
I think I know my answer, but in searching the forums, I don't see it spelled out specifically, so I'm asking.
If I buy a KLM marketed flight on Virgin Atlantic metal, I will NOT earn skymiles, MQM, MQD for Delta, correct?
If I buy a KLM marketed flight on Virgin Atlantic metal, I will NOT earn skymiles, MQM, MQD for Delta, correct?
May 2, 19, 2:26 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 98
Correct, the flights I want are far cheaper when buying via KLM rather than via Delta or Virgin Atlantic directly.
I'm thinking that Virgin Atlantic isn't a fully Skyteam partner, and what I see on this page seems to confirm this fact? https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-benefits.html
Note that Virgin Atlantic is referred to as "preferred partner"
Plus, certain partner airlines offer even more benefits when you travel with them:
I'm thinking that Virgin Atlantic isn't a fully Skyteam partner, and what I see on this page seems to confirm this fact? https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-benefits.html
Note that Virgin Atlantic is referred to as "preferred partner"
Plus, certain partner airlines offer even more benefits when you travel with them:
- Our preferred partners (including AeroMexico, Air France, China Eastern, GOL, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia) offer elevated benefits like Complimentary Upgrades.
- Our SkyTeam partners (an alliance of 20 airlines serving 177 countries and over 1,000 destinations across the globe) all offer a unique suite of benefits including access to partner lounges around the world.
May 2, 19, 2:29 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2012
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This is an edge case i don't think we've seen tested yet, because the AF/KL partnership with VS is so new. By the letter of the rules, you don't earn on ST partners when they're codesharing with a non-ST airline. But VS, like Transavia, is likely an exception. But I haven't seen that confirmed anywhere yet.
May 2, 19, 5:32 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 98
this is one of those cases where the exact same flights on the Virgin and Delta sites are thousands more than what KLM is charging. However, in this specific instance, I've decided on a different routing that I can buy on Delta. I'm afraid I won't be the guinea pig to test this one out for everyone.
I do notice that the link I posted above is irrelevant. For some reason, I've had it in my head that Virgin Atlantic isn't a full Skyteam partner, so when I saw it listed as a "preferred" partner, I thought the airline might fall into a lesser category. But then I read that page again and see other "preferred" airlines such as KLM, Air France, etc that obviously are full Skyteam partners, so this particular link means nothing.
I do notice that the link I posted above is irrelevant. For some reason, I've had it in my head that Virgin Atlantic isn't a full Skyteam partner, so when I saw it listed as a "preferred" partner, I thought the airline might fall into a lesser category. But then I read that page again and see other "preferred" airlines such as KLM, Air France, etc that obviously are full Skyteam partners, so this particular link means nothing.
May 2, 19, 6:02 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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This isn't an edge case. Thus has been discussed many time over last few years.
In order to earn SM a partner coded flight must be operated by either the partner, or by a Skyteam carrier. Same issue was had with 9W flights before they went out of business.
Who you buy it from doesn't matter. You still dont earn even If you buy a KL coded VS operated flight from DL.
In order to earn SM a partner coded flight must be operated by either the partner, or by a Skyteam carrier. Same issue was had with 9W flights before they went out of business.
Who you buy it from doesn't matter. You still dont earn even If you buy a KL coded VS operated flight from DL.
May 2, 19, 7:17 pm
#8
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this is one of those cases where the exact same flights on the Virgin and Delta sites are thousands more than what KLM is charging. However, in this specific instance, I've decided on a different routing that I can buy on Delta. I'm afraid I won't be the guinea pig to test this one out for everyone.
I do notice that the link I posted above is irrelevant. For some reason, I've had it in my head that Virgin Atlantic isn't a full Skyteam partner, so when I saw it listed as a "preferred" partner, I thought the airline might fall into a lesser category. But then I read that page again and see other "preferred" airlines such as KLM, Air France, etc that obviously are full Skyteam partners, so this particular link means nothing.
I do notice that the link I posted above is irrelevant. For some reason, I've had it in my head that Virgin Atlantic isn't a full Skyteam partner, so when I saw it listed as a "preferred" partner, I thought the airline might fall into a lesser category. But then I read that page again and see other "preferred" airlines such as KLM, Air France, etc that obviously are full Skyteam partners, so this particular link means nothing.
They have a JV with DL and partnerships with a number of airlines of various alliances. But the details of each partnership are specific and full SkyTeam benefits should not be assumed/expected.
May 2, 19, 9:18 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
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This isn't an edge case. Thus has been discussed many time over last few years.
In order to earn SM a partner coded flight must be operated by either the partner, or by a Skyteam carrier. Same issue was had with 9W flights before they went out of business.
Who you buy it from doesn't matter. You still dont earn even If you buy a KL coded VS operated flight from DL.
In order to earn SM a partner coded flight must be operated by either the partner, or by a Skyteam carrier. Same issue was had with 9W flights before they went out of business.
Who you buy it from doesn't matter. You still dont earn even If you buy a KL coded VS operated flight from DL.
May 3, 19, 12:26 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
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If you fly on KL you can earn SkyMiles.
If you fly on VS you can earn SkyMiles.
If you fly with a KL ticket on VS metal you earn NOTHING!
Am I the only person to find this ridiculous?
The OP can credit Flying Blue. At least they can use the miles to fly on DL and there are sometimes decent redemption deals to be had. (Yes that's not nothing, but don't let the facts get in the way of dramatic effect.)
If you fly on VS you can earn SkyMiles.
If you fly with a KL ticket on VS metal you earn NOTHING!
Am I the only person to find this ridiculous?
The OP can credit Flying Blue. At least they can use the miles to fly on DL and there are sometimes decent redemption deals to be had. (Yes that's not nothing, but don't let the facts get in the way of dramatic effect.)
May 3, 19, 7:35 pm
#12
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Maybe youre right, but I would be interested to see it tested. As I mentioned, Transavia isnt part of ST, but AF/KL flights operated by Transavia earn SkyMiles as usual. Because of the JV and tight, interwoven ownership, I bet this will work the same way. Youre caution is generally right on, but I think this might be an exception.
Transavia is KLMs LCC considered by DL to be the same to KLM as Joon was to AF.
May 3, 19, 10:14 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2013
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I was struggling with this same issue. But be careful, KLM tends to autobook into light fares on VS and you have to look at fare details to figure this out. Also I dont think you get Club house access in london if you are a plat/diamond on a Kl codeshare. Its super confusing and a bit ridiculous post JV
May 4, 19, 12:29 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 277
This isn't an edge case. Thus has been discussed many time over last few years.
In order to earn SM a partner coded flight must be operated by either the partner, or by a Skyteam carrier. Same issue was had with 9W flights before they went out of business.
Who you buy it from doesn't matter. You still dont earn even If you buy a KL coded VS operated flight from DL.
In order to earn SM a partner coded flight must be operated by either the partner, or by a Skyteam carrier. Same issue was had with 9W flights before they went out of business.
Who you buy it from doesn't matter. You still dont earn even If you buy a KL coded VS operated flight from DL.
May 4, 19, 8:45 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,296
9W isnt part of a JV with Delta. VS and KL are, and soon to be both in the same JV. I still say its different enough to test.
