Singapore Airlines begins codeshare flights with Virgin Australia
By David Flynn, February 8 2012
Update | Virgin Australia is now set to commence international codesharing with Singapore Airlines: click here for full details.
Previous | Singapore Airlines has commenced codesharing on Australian domestic flights operated by Virgin Australia, allowing a single booking to be made for flights feeding into or on from SQ's international services via Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
However, codesharing on international flights remains on the to-do list, with a Singapore Airlines spokeswoman telling Australian Business Traveller only that "Virgin Australia codeshare on Singapore Airlines will go live in the next few months."
Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines already share 'earn and burn' privileges for members of their respective Velocity and KrisFlyer frequent flyer programs.
Virgin's point earning starts at a pleasingly full rate: SQ economy class gains you 1 Velocity point per mile, although allowances in premium cabins are less than you'd expect given the extra money you pay: only 1.25 Velocity points for business class, 1.5 for first class and 1.6 for the swish Singapore Airlines suites.
Also, while Virgin Australia's Velocity frequent flyers can earn points and status credits on SQ flights, KrisFlyer members can't earn Elite Miles – which count towards KrisFlyer Silver and Gold status – when travelling on Virgin Australia flights.
Another need-to-know in the Virgin/Singapore alliance are the rules regarding lounge access: only passengers travelling in Business Class or First Class on a Singapore Airlines-operated flight are allowed entry to SQ's swanky SilverKris Lounge at Singapore's Changi Airport.
If you're a Gold or Platinum member of Virgin Australia Velocity but travelling in SQ economy your access is restricted to SQ’s KrisFlyer Gold Lounge (including the recently-renovated one in Changi T2 which doesn’t even have toilets, let alone showers).
At other airports worldwide, Velocity Gold and Platinum cardholders can get into any of SQ’s SilverKris Lounges around the world when flying with Singapore Airlines, regardless of ticket class – provided it’s a Singapore Airlines-owned and operated lounge.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
05 Jan 2012
Total posts 335
Glad to hear it. One problem - On the VA site, when you select origin and destination, not every destination that the partners go to, appear. Say i want to go from Canberra to Moscow... it cant be all done on one booking through the VA website...! if i do the same with Qantas, it works properly. Why is this? is it because VA isnt actually part of an alliance like Oneworld, Skyteam or star alliance?? What is the go?
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 59
All the better and with the one point per mile in qualifying fare classes on Economy with Singapore Airlines It's great.I am headed back later this year but I stupidly give the need to try retain Thai Silver booked SQ but gave the agent my Royal Orchid Plus Number not knowing it's only 50% mileage there.
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