Apr 23, 2024, 1:36 pm

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Last edit by: WineCountryUA

VA is now listed on Earning Premier qualifying credit on partner airlines

United to partner with Virgin Australia -- UA elite benefits starting 23 May 2022

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Nov 9, 2022, 4:58 am

#181

cfischer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: BOS/EAP

Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat

Posts: 32,092

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oshkosh105

when requesting mileage credit on the UA website, one of the ticket numbers said it was already fully credited (only half the legs credited), so I dropped 1kVoice a line to see if they can help.

I don't even get to that page when I submit a retro-claim ... most of the segment where in I-class which should earn 25%. Not sure what is going on ... glad I am not the only one w/ issues.

Nov 10, 2022, 3:38 am

#182

UAinAUS

Join Date: Mar 2014

Location: SYD, CBR, BDL

Programs: UA 1K, VA Platinum

Posts: 1,199

Same issue for me. I spent 45 min with the virtual agent to fix, and now I’m waiting “3-5 business days” for an update,

Nov 10, 2022, 5:42 am

#183

cfischer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: BOS/EAP

Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat

Posts: 32,092

UA must be reading this board

All my missing VA segments credited over night

ZenFlyer, Oshkosh105 and UAinAUS like this.

Nov 13, 2022, 10:32 am

#184

docbert

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: San Francisco/Sydney

Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC

Posts: 8,162

Quote:

Originally Posted by docbert

On the redemption side, I agree. I can see award seats available via the Virgin Australia website at their "award" rates(*), but UA isn't showing them.

This appears to be fixed. I'm seeing good availability for awards on VA in both Y and J, both on their own and in conjunction with international flights.

ZenFlyer likes this.

Nov 13, 2022, 11:13 am

#185

cfischer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: BOS/EAP

Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat

Posts: 32,092

Quote:

Originally Posted by docbert

This appears to be fixed. I'm seeing good availability for awards on VA in both Y and J, both on their own and in conjunction with international flights.

back for about 2 weeks now. Hope this stays

Nov 21, 2022, 11:31 am

#186

adambadam

Join Date: Jul 2006

Location: California

Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC

Posts: 2,215

Question on using Virgin Australia as a UA elite

A few questions on this partnership:

1) Do any of the 1k benefits carry over to a companion? I.e. can they join in the lounge, etc.?
2) Have an award ticket with the first segment on VA then a 17-hour connection then onward on UA. Do you think VA could short check the bag for only the first segment so I have it during the layover?
3) I tried to grab seats for that first segment but VA site was giving me errors. Is that normal or expected?

Nov 25, 2022, 9:22 am

#187

SFO_FT

Join Date: Jan 2000

Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam

Posts: 3,445

1). Yes
2). Yes
3). No, not normal.

SPN Lifer and adambadam like this.

Dec 1, 2022, 10:36 pm

#188

ljwobker

Join Date: May 2003

Location: RDU, NC, USA

Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton something

Posts: 841

baggage allowance on Virgin Australia?

The new(ish) partnership between VA and UA is supposed to permit an additional checked bag for 1K flyers on VA. Does anyone know how/where this gets implemented? The VA backend wants you checked in and all bags checked and paid for before you get to the airport... but I can't figure out how to get the ostensibly permitted 2-bag allowance to pop up online. My UA frequent flyer number is in the booking details... any thoughts?

Dec 2, 2022, 2:09 am

#189

docbert

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: San Francisco/Sydney

Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC

Posts: 8,162

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljwobker

You can handle it at the airport. Generally doing it via online is better as the price for extra bags is lower when paid online in advance, but given that you're not going to be paying anything it's not going to be an issue. Either use one of the kiosks and call over one of the staff when it's attempting to charge you, or possibly even better just go straight to the premium check-in desk and have them sort it out.

Dec 2, 2022, 4:11 pm

#190

ljwobker

Join Date: May 2003

Location: RDU, NC, USA

Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton something

Posts: 841

OK, thanks. "Solve it at the airport" was definitely a possibility I'd considered, but I'm somewhat concerned that I'll get there and none of the staff will have any idea what I'm talking about and I'll end up eating whatever the punitive "at airport" bag fee is. I'd like to think that 6 months in there would be people around who know how to solve it... but this ain't my first rodeo and airline people can often be exceptionally obstinate when they don't agree with what your benefits are ;-)
The part about going to the premium check-in desk is good - I wouldn't have thought about that as every other time I've flown VA (all pre-partnership) I'd just done everything with the kiosks...

Dec 17, 2022, 3:44 am

#191

bnebased

Join Date: Aug 2006

Location: BNE

Programs: UA 1MM; QF VA CI KL KE

Posts: 474

Bag included?

I am looking at booking VA domestic flights with UA miles. I can find flights well enough, but the booking process leaves me wondering if Y bookings include a bag for a general member. The cost in miles is acceptable if a bag is included, but not really worthwhile if there is a baggage fee on top. The booking process is somewhat tortuous, but it looks like UA is willing to take my money. It is unclear what I will get in return. I guess the question is: does it turn into a VA Lite or VA Choice fare.

Dec 17, 2022, 9:06 am

#192

docbert

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: San Francisco/Sydney

Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC

Posts: 8,162

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnebased

I guess the question is: does it turn into a VA Lite or VA Choice fare.

It's an award, so it'll come from VA award inventory, and get the same baggage allowance as a VA award flight, which is 1x23kg (ignoring any status benefits).

Dec 20, 2022, 4:20 pm

#193

mot29

Join Date: Dec 2002

Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)

Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat

Posts: 5,626

earning on Virgin Australia

Not a regular here - my last UA related trip was using up miles I'd earned and Chase points transferred back in 2019.
I just flew a Virgin Australia paid trip purchased on VA web site PER-SYD-MEL. Purchased coach - fare basis LZFLO. From the chart, guessing I'll earn 75% of mileage flown.
But I did bid for an upgrade and was successful for both legs at much less than VA's recommended bid - and domestic business on VA gets you lounge access, too.
Any UA regulars with experience on how long it should take for the miles to post to my UA account?
Thanks.

Dec 20, 2022, 5:13 pm

#194

sannmann

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: DCA

Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry

Posts: 2,273

Quote:

Originally Posted by mot29

I flew VA on a domestic flight in August. Took about 48 hours for the miles to post to my MileagePlus account.

Dec 29, 2022, 12:45 pm

#195

Oshkosh105

Join Date: Mar 2013

Location: LHR, MSN

Programs: WFBF, Marriott Titanium

Posts: 204

Quote:

Originally Posted by mot29

Probably not what you want to hear, but I've had trouble with getting VA credit for the paid (economy) fare, since in their system the upgrade codes as the same fare class as Business Class awards. I did an upgrade in October and the credit still hasn't been posted 9 weeks later. The segments are required for me to hit 1K this year, so I'll probably give an agent a call tomorrow (was waiting for all of the weather madness to calm down a bit).