Virgin readies lounges, points earn for Hong Kong, China flights
By David Flynn, June 5 2017
Virgin Australia's new Melbourne-Hong Kong flights will use the Etihad Airways lounge at Melbourne and Hong Kong Airlines' Club Bauhinia lounge at Hong Kong – see our story here for full details.
PREVIOUS | Virgin Australia is expected to launch its frequent flyer partnership with Hong Kong Airlines later this month, ahead of the July 5 start of direct Virgin flights between Melbourne and Hong Kong.
The hookup will also include access to HKA's lounge network, including its flagship Club Bauhinia lounge at Hong Kong Airport (below) which would be available to Virgin's business class passengers and top-tier Gold and Platinum Velocity Frequent Flyers prior to their journey back to Melbourne.
The Melbourne Airport lounge to be used prior to Virgin's flights from Melbourne is yet to be announced.
The reciprocal arrangement should also see Virgin's Velocity Frequent Flyer members able to earn Velocity points on selected flights with Hong Kong Airlines as well as HK Express and Hainan Airlines which will operate as codeshares carrying a VA flight number, including domestic flights in the Chinese mainland market.
Following the launch of Virgin's Melbourne-Hong Kong service the airline will open a second route between Australia and China, although the anchor cities at either end of that corridor have yet to be revealed.
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.
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 22
Would be interesting to see if the lounge access would also be reciprocated for Hong Kong Airlines passengers departing Gold Coast airport
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
17 Nov 2014
Total posts 101
But the lounge is located at the domestic terminal, so passengers will then need to leave the lounge early to pass through immigration for boarding.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2017
Total posts 40
Virgin fly to LAX, HKG, CHC and AKL from Mel (and sort of to DPS!). Time to get your own lounge???
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2017
Total posts 40
Oops forgot NAN also!
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1207
Given the only available space is probably some horrible dungeon space down near the QF J lounge. I wouldn't blame VA from baulking at this. THey'd be better off organising for EY to offer extended hours to cover all of their MEL services.
13 May 2016
Total posts 31
As much as I love VA, I think it's time they bit the bullet and built their own international lounge.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
Nah, they'll change strategy in twelve months - who knows what will happen?
24 Feb 2012
Total posts 58
I won't be complaining if the Melbourne lounge used is the Etihad one!
13 Sep 2013
Total posts 116
Has anyone seen any award seat availability?
The only J seats I've seen are the "Any Seat" ones and they are between 450-500k!
23 May 2011
Total posts 33
i saw some about 2 weeks ago. haven't checked back since
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
17 Nov 2014
Total posts 101
There're some reward seats on Y on some flights early in July.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2016
Total posts 45
Also Cairns I wonder if flights from Cairns to Hong Kong will be able to earn Virgin status creds and points
21 Sep 2011
Total posts 70
Only codeshare flights with VA flight number earn Velocity points? Hainan Airlines have been offering $2000 return to Mainland China in Business. Would be some quite powerful earn rates.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Feb 2016
Total posts 96
Maybe that's why MU don't offer status credits to VA members unless they're flying codesharing flights. Each glass of wine that the g- and p-level members sip in the lounge must have been paid by someone.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2011
Total posts 148
But MU is a QF partner?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Feb 2016
Total posts 96
MU has some codesharing flights with QF but I don't think this can make them partners.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2011
Total posts 148
Ummmm... I'd say having a 5 year Joint Venture makes them partners. China Eastern don't have any thing to do with VA.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 319
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Feb 2016
Total posts 96
That can be actually better...comparing to the service level in VA's domestic lounge. At least I won't feel guilty for the second glass of wine.
06 Jun 2017
Total posts 53
"Following the launch of Virgin's Melbourne-Hong Kong service the airline will open a second route between Australia and China, although the anchor cities at either end of that corridor have yet to be revealed."
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 May 2017
Total posts 9
Anybody know if flying HK airlines onwards to china if the HK airlines lounge can be used for VA elite members?
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