Risk/Downside of codeshare Virgin/KLM
Oct 2, 2025 | 6:36 pm
#1
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Risk/Downside of codeshare Virgin/KLM
So we got a screaming deal on Virgin-marketed-Delta-operated for Delta One and PS from USA > EU...
... but in our 24-hour window ...
any risks of booking this versus Delta flights (006 stock)?
... but in our 24-hour window ...
any risks of booking this versus Delta flights (006 stock)?
Oct 2, 2025 | 7:48 pm
#3
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Note that VS/DL/AF/KL coordinate fare filings between US and EU as part of TATL JV, but fare class inventory availability does not always match on the individual flight level. In part, this may be due to DL having greater point of sale strength from US origin than does VS. You can potentially book VS marketed flights/fares on a DL 006 ticket using Matrix Powertools browser extension.
Oct 2, 2025 | 9:04 pm
#4
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The one risk might be that if you need to cancel, youll have a VS ecredit and the ecredit will be subject to the VS fare rules, not a DL ecredit subject to DL rules. You would also have to work through VS for any advance schedule changes if you get hit with any that occur and for which you want to rebook based on the updated itinerary. If you care about MQDs, youll need to run the math to determine which booking method is better relative to the cost youre paying.
Oct 2, 2025 | 9:13 pm
#5
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The one risk might be that if you need to cancel, youll have a VS ecredit and the ecredit will be subject to the VS fare rules, not a DL ecredit subject to DL rules. You would also have to work through VS for any advance schedule changes if you get hit with any that occur and for which you want to rebook based on the updated itinerary. If you care about MQDs, youll need to run the math to determine which booking method is better relative to the cost youre paying.
Oct 2, 2025 | 10:16 pm
#6
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Again, they coordinate fare filings with DL, and other than BE/Light fares, you get a full credit with no fees if you cancel on non-refundable ex-US fares. The main difference will be that a DL credit will be applicable to US domestic tickets while a VS credit won't be usable on such fares.
Oct 2, 2025 | 10:51 pm
#7
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Again, they coordinate fare filings with DL, and other than BE/Light fares, you get a full credit with no fees if you cancel on non-refundable ex-US fares. The main difference will be that a DL credit will be applicable to US domestic tickets while a VS credit won't be usable on such fares.
Oct 3, 2025 | 6:59 am
#8
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Again, they coordinate fare filings with DL, and other than BE/Light fares, you get a full credit with no fees if you cancel on non-refundable ex-US fares. The main difference will be that a DL credit will be applicable to US domestic tickets while a VS credit won't be usable on such fares.
Oct 3, 2025 | 7:47 am
#9
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Lots of good points here.
My first thought is whether it's actually D1 or Virgin Upper Class. In most cases it's great, but the last time I got what looked like a screaming deal on VS upper, it was on the A333 with the horrible Coffin Class seats.
Don't get me wrong, I love VS and I prefer their PS vastly over DL, but this one configuration is actually crap and I avoid it.
My first thought is whether it's actually D1 or Virgin Upper Class. In most cases it's great, but the last time I got what looked like a screaming deal on VS upper, it was on the A333 with the horrible Coffin Class seats.
Don't get me wrong, I love VS and I prefer their PS vastly over DL, but this one configuration is actually crap and I avoid it.
Oct 3, 2025 | 9:10 am
#10
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This is the example - crazy difference. $7101 (VS) versus $7289 (KL / AF) versus $7732 (DL)
Should have noted "purchased via AMEX" sorry.
Should have noted "purchased via AMEX" sorry.
Oct 3, 2025 | 9:59 am
#11
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mods should merge this into one of the existing threads on this topic
Book on Delta or VS (Virgin Atlantic) credited to Delta?
or
Any benefit to booking with DL vs Virgin Atlantic?
or
Delta and Virgin Atlantic Partnership
(etc, there are way too many of them)
Book on Delta or VS (Virgin Atlantic) credited to Delta?
or
Any benefit to booking with DL vs Virgin Atlantic?
or
Delta and Virgin Atlantic Partnership
(etc, there are way too many of them)
Oct 3, 2025 | 10:28 am
#12
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So it seems you are doing a roundtrip search. Is this with ATL origin or AMS? It's hard to know what is being quoted here without seeing flights in both directions of travel on which the total price is based and fare classes involved. The pricing differences here don't seem all that extreme and it looks likely that VS has inventory in one lower fare class on a flight (such as Z or I) where DL only has inventory in a class higher (like I or D). Do the Amex non-discounted prices show the same on Google Flights?
Oct 3, 2025 | 2:12 pm
#13
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So it seems you are doing a roundtrip search. Is this with ATL origin or AMS? It's hard to know what is being quoted here without seeing flights in both directions of travel on which the total price is based and fare classes involved. The pricing differences here don't seem all that extreme and it looks likely that VS has inventory in one lower fare class on a flight (such as Z or I) where DL only has inventory in a class higher (like I or D). Do the Amex non-discounted prices show the same on Google Flights?
I booked 4x PS for $7050 total on AMEX. DL metal there; KL metal return.
Delta wants about $150 more booked on DL.com, but there's only 3 seats left, so it goes up a lot based on... inventory as you note.