Virgin Australia takes flight with United Airlines
Aug 13, 2022, 12:27 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,272
None of us have UA status. Our choice fares included a checked bag per person -- and since there were 4 of us, we had plenty.
Priority security at CBR is not needed. When they started boarding with 15 mins to departure, I realized I had left something pretty important in my Avis rental car. I had time to run back to Avis, get it with a small wait, and get back through security and board the flight (though barely). Only security line we experienced that priority would have been useful was BNE domestic on a Thursday morning - but even then it was 10 mins or less.
VA does have a CBR lounge but we did not have access to it. But we did have 72 AUD to spend at the cityhill coffee restaurant via PriorityPass and the terminal was not very busy -- so at least for CBR probably a better experience than the lounge.
Priority security at CBR is not needed. When they started boarding with 15 mins to departure, I realized I had left something pretty important in my Avis rental car. I had time to run back to Avis, get it with a small wait, and get back through security and board the flight (though barely). Only security line we experienced that priority would have been useful was BNE domestic on a Thursday morning - but even then it was 10 mins or less.
VA does have a CBR lounge but we did not have access to it. But we did have 72 AUD to spend at the cityhill coffee restaurant via PriorityPass and the terminal was not very busy -- so at least for CBR probably a better experience than the lounge.
Aug 16, 2022, 7:38 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,272
I flew BNE-SYD this Sunday as a United Premier 1K. Good experience.
I used the priority check-in to check my bag. The agent asked to see my MileagePlus card.
Security was pretty easy. Hardly anyone there; so, any priority line wouldn't have made a difference.
Visited the lounge; it was pretty nice but a bit crowded. Decent offerings for lunch. Lounge agent needed to see my MileagePlus card with my boarding pass when I got to the lounge.
Baggage reclaim at SYD was also pretty quick and painless.
The miles posted to my MileagePlus account about 24 hours after the flight.
I used the priority check-in to check my bag. The agent asked to see my MileagePlus card.
Security was pretty easy. Hardly anyone there; so, any priority line wouldn't have made a difference.
Visited the lounge; it was pretty nice but a bit crowded. Decent offerings for lunch. Lounge agent needed to see my MileagePlus card with my boarding pass when I got to the lounge.
Baggage reclaim at SYD was also pretty quick and painless.
The miles posted to my MileagePlus account about 24 hours after the flight.
Oct 19, 2022, 10:05 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LHR, MSN
Programs: WFBF, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 204
Another few data points flying VA operated flights as UA 1K.
Priority benefits granted. Lounge needed to go to the desk to be manually checked in. They saw my MileagePlus number and confirmed my entry. I've only flown Qantas before within Australia, so the VA lounge was a step down in terms of food/drink. Only had Tuna wraps and pumpkin soup left when I arrived and was quite crowded (7pm Sunday).
My flights haven't posted after ~2 weeks (Flex fare, so definitely mileage earning), but that seems to be the exception rather than the norm. I'll put in a request with 1K to retrospectively add in.
Some side notes (YMMV):
Priority benefits granted. Lounge needed to go to the desk to be manually checked in. They saw my MileagePlus number and confirmed my entry. I've only flown Qantas before within Australia, so the VA lounge was a step down in terms of food/drink. Only had Tuna wraps and pumpkin soup left when I arrived and was quite crowded (7pm Sunday).
My flights haven't posted after ~2 weeks (Flex fare, so definitely mileage earning), but that seems to be the exception rather than the norm. I'll put in a request with 1K to retrospectively add in.
Some side notes (YMMV):
- Online and on my cell, Economy X (extra legroom) was still chargeable during check-in, but at the airport, I've been able to select a Economy X seat since 1K is coded in the VA system as Platinum (prints out Platinum on boarding pass).
- Service was totally fine (only free water/coffee), although delays without a reason why seem to be fairly common on VA as of late. My first flights were mostly on time - push back and sit on the tarmac for 20 min without an announcement from the pilots, but ultimately only a 10 min delay from scheduled arrival, so not a big deal.
- The upgrade bidding is pretty nice. Most of my flights are 1 hr, so I'll survive in the back, but I've found bids as low at AUD$55 that are awarded. US$35 for a wider seat and a small meal is a pretty good deal, especially if you want to be first at the rental car desk on the way off the plane.
Nov 8, 2022, 7:06 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Programs: OZ Diamond (*G), KQ Asante Gold (ST+), Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,511
Nov 19, 2022, 8:59 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SYD, GOT
Programs: BA GGL; SK EBG; QF LTG; Hilton Diamond, A-Club Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,723
Checkin is uses machines, and plenty of them. Fast track security has not reopened since Covid and 99% of the time it is okay, on the 1% it is a nightmare - various staff, equipment, training issues etc, and virgin shares its terminals in most airports. Lounge is also by a QR/bar code machine at the lounge entry where you simply press +1 for an extra guest. I have no idea what happens if someone wanders in, pretends to scan and enters the lounge, it is not like there is a physical barrier or anything.
on boarding, there is a priority line that you should be able to use as almost everyone else can use it (business, status, economy x etc)
KF
on boarding, there is a priority line that you should be able to use as almost everyone else can use it (business, status, economy x etc)
KF
Dec 19, 2022, 2:02 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 233
Has anyone flown UA, on a UA code, in revenue domestic US "First" and can confirm they received points and status credits per "Business" in the Velocity chart? It specifically only says "Business" (although the fare buckets are aligned), and I don't want to spring for the extra fare for the extra credits if I don't get them.
I emailed the Platinum team at Velocity but the agent didn't seem to really understand the question.
I emailed the Platinum team at Velocity but the agent didn't seem to really understand the question.
Dec 19, 2022, 9:35 am
#39
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
Has anyone flown UA, on a UA code, in revenue domestic US "First" and can confirm they received points and status credits per "Business" in the Velocity chart? It specifically only says "Business" (although the fare buckets are aligned), and I don't want to spring for the extra fare for the extra credits if I don't get them.
I emailed the Platinum team at Velocity but the agent didn't seem to really understand the question.
I emailed the Platinum team at Velocity but the agent didn't seem to really understand the question.
Jan 29, 2023, 9:46 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern California
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier 1K, Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
Posts: 1,150
Another few data points flying VA operated flights as UA 1K.
Priority benefits granted. Lounge needed to go to the desk to be manually checked in. They saw my MileagePlus number and confirmed my entry. I've only flown Qantas before within Australia, so the VA lounge was a step down in terms of food/drink. Only had Tuna wraps and pumpkin soup left when I arrived and was quite crowded (7pm Sunday).
My flights haven't posted after ~2 weeks (Flex fare, so definitely mileage earning), but that seems to be the exception rather than the norm. I'll put in a request with 1K to retrospectively add in.
Some side notes (YMMV):
Priority benefits granted. Lounge needed to go to the desk to be manually checked in. They saw my MileagePlus number and confirmed my entry. I've only flown Qantas before within Australia, so the VA lounge was a step down in terms of food/drink. Only had Tuna wraps and pumpkin soup left when I arrived and was quite crowded (7pm Sunday).
My flights haven't posted after ~2 weeks (Flex fare, so definitely mileage earning), but that seems to be the exception rather than the norm. I'll put in a request with 1K to retrospectively add in.
Some side notes (YMMV):
- Online and on my cell, Economy X (extra legroom) was still chargeable during check-in, but at the airport, I've been able to select a Economy X seat since 1K is coded in the VA system as Platinum (prints out Platinum on boarding pass).
- Service was totally fine (only free water/coffee), although delays without a reason why seem to be fairly common on VA as of late. My first flights were mostly on time - push back and sit on the tarmac for 20 min without an announcement from the pilots, but ultimately only a 10 min delay from scheduled arrival, so not a big deal.
- The upgrade bidding is pretty nice. Most of my flights are 1 hr, so I'll survive in the back, but I've found bids as low at AUD$55 that are awarded. US$35 for a wider seat and a small meal is a pretty good deal, especially if you want to be first at the rental car desk on the way off the plane.
baked spiced chicken wings, salmon salad, chicken and basil pesto sandwich, quinoa veggie wrap and two types of soup! Not bad for a domestic lounge
Apr 16, 2023, 5:47 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Premier Silver, AA, DL, IHG Diamond Amb, Marriott Silver, Hilton Silver, National
Posts: 1,530
VA flight booked with UA miles: can’t online checkin?
Flying this Wednesday April 19 SYD-ADL. It’s now within 48 hours, but when I try to checkin I get an error message that there are Technical problems and should try back later.
Call to VA confirms the reservation. CS at Virgin speculates that because I used UA award points, and UA issued tickets on UA stock with 016 ticket number, it won’t let me check in online (although was told I should try again inside 24 hours.) I don’t know what to believe.
Anyone ever had a similar issue? Any workaround short of checking in the morning of the flight? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Call to VA confirms the reservation. CS at Virgin speculates that because I used UA award points, and UA issued tickets on UA stock with 016 ticket number, it won’t let me check in online (although was told I should try again inside 24 hours.) I don’t know what to believe.
Anyone ever had a similar issue? Any workaround short of checking in the morning of the flight? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Apr 18, 2023, 5:33 am
#43
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Premier Silver, AA, DL, IHG Diamond Amb, Marriott Silver, Hilton Silver, National
Posts: 1,530
Originally Posted by CPMaverick;[url=tel:35178039
35178039[/url]]I've had issues in the past when booking VA tickets with DL points.
Try checking in on the VA app, instead of the website.
Try checking in on the VA app, instead of the website.
Originally Posted by CPMaverick;[url=tel:35178039
35178039[/url]]I've had issues in the past when booking VA tickets with DL points.
Try checking in on the VA app, instead of the website.
Try checking in on the VA app, instead of the website.
So after not being able to OLCI, ostensibly due to holding a VA award ticket issued by UA on UA016 stock, I checked in at the VA kiosk with no worries.
Another great mystery of life…
Last edited by l etoile; Jun 22, 2023 at 5:17 pm
Jun 21, 2023, 10:35 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Diamond, BW Diamond Select, Accor Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 4,228
Use united.com like any other award booking. There's US$18.90 in taxes and charges, which erodes the value, especially in economy. I guess it's decent for business class, but the whole of Australia is the same region, so you can go to Perth for the same miles. (currently 19.3k/27.5k)