Virgin points and SC earn on Hong Kong Airlines flights
8 replies
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Virgin points and SC earn on Hong Kong Airlines flights
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Virgin points and SC earn on Hong Kong Airlines flights
jianga
jianga
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Feb 2015
Total posts 144
Booked return business class Melbourne-Shanghai flights with Hong Kong Airlines (MEL-HKG flights code-shared with VA and HKG-PVG on HX) as they had a special on (AUD 2.5k return). It's not after I got the booking confirmation then I noted the booking class (Z), which apparently cannot earn any points and SC with VA. I hate how some airlines don't show you the actual class code until after you receive your confirmation. Anyway, my question is that if anyone knows whether or not VA and HX will fully incorporate/expand their FF partnership sometime soon? So my flight in Apr/May will be able to earn points and SC.
The Evil Muppet
The Evil Muppet
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 16 Dec 2015
Total posts 12
That's concerning - which legs are booked in Z?
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
I was looking into these fares the other week and did find a way to locate the booking class during the online booking process with Hong Kong Airlines... can't remember whether it was highlighted on its own, or whether you look at the first letter of the 'fare basis', but it's there if you know what you're looking for (that doesn't mean it's clear, of course!).
If it makes you feel any better, those Z-class fares earn nothing with HK Airlines' own Fortune Wings Club program, so Velocity's earn rates are simply mirroring FWC... would be nice to earn something, though, especially when many lower-priced economy fares earn full points and status credits!
jianga
jianga
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Feb 2015
Total posts 144
I did some research and looks like since June HX has Z class as an upgrade class as well as business saver class. It's a bit confusing having one class code serving two purposes.
jianga
jianga
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Feb 2015
Total posts 144
If it makes you feel any better, those Z-class fares earn nothing with HK Airlines' own Fortune Wings Club program, so Velocity's earn rates are simply mirroring FWC... would be nice to earn something, though, especially when many lower-priced economy fares earn full points and status credits!
Totally agree. Ah well I guess I should have looked more thoroughly. Just didn't think they would give nothing to a paid business class fare. Well this may be the first and last time I book with HX, certainly made my already bad day even worse.
aussiflyer
aussiflyer
Member since 27 Jan 2016
Total posts 41
I looked at these when booking a work trip to Hong Kong because the price from Gold Coast was so cheap. After going through the purchase path and selecting meals i got a pop up telling me a summary and in that it showed the booking class of Z. For less then 2k return it was a bargain, so i guess something has to give. They do give the option to buy up the fare brand at the first step from Business Saver to Business Select or Business Plus. These will give status and points. I think it is a good way of offering cheap tickets and striping out the fare. I ended up booking the A350 with SQ on VA flight numbers for $3.5 return :)
Doubleplatinum Banned
Doubleplatinum Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
Member since 07 Feb 2013
Total posts 431
Pretty standard issue for discounted fares
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
The way I look at it, I primarily earn points to book flights in business class (or occasionally to upgrade to business class from a paid ticket), but if the fare is so cheap that I can afford to simply book business class as a paying passenger without burning any of my miles, then I've achieved my goal of flying business class without using any of those miles, or having an overly large payment hit the credit card. :)
If a ticket doesn't earn points, though, I'm less likely to be brand or alliance loyal, because at that point I may as well just fly with whichever airline has the lowest business class fare because the outcome will either be the same (no miles earned), or better (miles earned but somewhere else).
Status credits are a different ball game though, and could be the deciding factor in purchasing a more expensive fare: particularly if it avoids the cost of buying VA lounge access and/or Priority Pass membership for lounge privileges in the following year.
jianga
jianga
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Feb 2015
Total posts 144
The way I look at it, I primarily earn points to book flights in business class (or occasionally to upgrade to business class from a paid ticket), but if the fare is so cheap that I can afford to simply book business class as a paying passenger without burning any of my miles, then I've achieved my goal of flying business class without using any of those miles, or having an overly large payment hit the credit card. :)
If a ticket doesn't earn points, though, I'm less likely to be brand or alliance loyal, because at that point I may as well just fly with whichever airline has the lowest business class fare because the outcome will either be the same (no miles earned), or better (miles earned but somewhere else).
Status credits are a different ball game though, and could be the deciding factor in purchasing a more expensive fare: particularly if it avoids the cost of buying VA lounge access and/or Priority Pass membership for lounge privileges in the following year.
Agree with you there again. One of the many reasons why I looked into the HX flights is because their new partnership with VA which would have helped me maintaining my Plat status. That being said, the fare I booked is still almost $300 cheaper than the next best option (which is China Southern) and a lot cheaper than QF/CX/SQ. So I guess it's not a total loss, just disappointed that they don't award discount business class with status points, even just at full economy level.