Can't book VA codeshare flights on Etihad to London any more? - Virgin Australia

Madhatter49

Monday, 18 Mar 2019, 08:29:03 pm

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Madhatter49

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 11 Dec 2016

Total posts 85

I haven't tried to book an Etihad flight for a while, but found that you it doesn't give you the option of choosing an Etihad flight to London now on the VA site.

Sure, I know many say SQ is much better, but I never had much to complain about with Etihad personally and quite liked them still.

Now, I only get the choice of SQ via Singapore or VA to Hong Kong and then onwards with VS to London.

Expected to be able to choose Etihad as another option on some dates, but have tried lots of random dates for the rest of the year with none available.

It is possible to book flights to Abu Dhabi still though, and then an onward flight to London as a multi city booking. Just not as straightforward though.

Anyone know what the situation is? I thought Etihad still owned 20% of Virgin Aust don't they??

Madhatter49

Monday, 18 Mar 2019, 08:35:03 pm

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Madhatter49

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 11 Dec 2016

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Of course, it also offers VA to LAX, then VS to London too.

I now see it offers Etihad to Paris, when choosing that as a destination.

I wonder if it has too much choice to London, so drops off EY?

Victor G

Tuesday, 19 Mar 2019, 09:38:03 am

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Victor G

Etihad - Etihad Guest

Member since 02 Jul 2015

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Interestingly, if you choose to pay with points it brings the EY options back into play and drops off the VS ones.

Chris C.

Tuesday, 19 Mar 2019, 10:30:03 am

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Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

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Just as an FYI, you'll earn the same number of status credits on EY-coded flights booked directly with Etihad as you earn on VA codeshare flights operated by Etihad, so it's not like the Qantas and Emirates arrangement where you have to book a codeshare flight to earn status credits.

The points earned does differ slightly between them, though, and if you have Velocity status, the status bonus on EY-coded flights is a little lower than on VA-coded flights, but that won't apply to everyone.

henrus

Tuesday, 19 Mar 2019, 09:47:03 pm

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henrus

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

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Originally Posted by Victor G

Interestingly, if you choose to pay with points it brings the EY options back into play and drops off the VS ones.

VS isn't bookable via Virgin online and even if they were the HKG-LAX flights have almost nothing available in Economy and generally 1-2 award seats in Business.

Madhatter49

Friday, 22 Mar 2019, 09:20:03 pm

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Madhatter49

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 11 Dec 2016

Total posts 85

Originally Posted by ChrisCh

Just as an FYI, you'll earn the same number of status credits on EY-coded flights booked directly with Etihad as you earn on VA codeshare flights operated by Etihad, so it's not like the Qantas and Emirates arrangement where you have to book a codeshare flight to earn status credits.

The points earned does differ slightly between them, though, and if you have Velocity status, the status bonus on EY-coded flights is a little lower than on VA-coded flights, but that won't apply to everyone.

Thanks for that tip Chris.

Madhatter49

Friday, 22 Mar 2019, 09:22:03 pm

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Madhatter49

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 11 Dec 2016

Total posts 85

Originally Posted by Victor G

Interestingly, if you choose to pay with points it brings the EY options back into play and drops off the VS ones.

Interesting as well. Hadn't tried that one.

Madhatter49

Monday, 01 Apr 2019, 02:38:04 am

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Madhatter49

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 11 Dec 2016

Total posts 85

Just confirming what's happening here.

So VA do seem to block bookings from Sydney to LHR via AUH. Their route map site only gives Brisbane or Melbourne as options to fly via AUH, not from Sydney.

Stupid really.

I can confirm that it's an available option when booking from Melbourne or Brisbane.

As Chris mentioned. The simplest solution would be to just use the Etihad site direct instead.

As it's not on the VA route map site. I wonder if they have some restriction in their agreement with Etihad ex-syd.

Even if I do a multi booking, it then only gives options to fly back to Australia. Which would be stupid if people wish to actually have a stopover.

Forcing people to call and book otherwise.