V-Flyer

I travel between LHR, HKG and PVG regularly. I always hope VS to open the new route to Beijing. Since VS start to codeshare with Air China, it seems impossible now for the near future.

Couple of months ago, I want to book a return flight to Beijing. Called FC, they said I won't be able to earn any Miles/TPs with Air China codeshred flights.

The sentance they used is "Air China is only a codeshare route, not a codeshared partner", obviously this is not what they described on VS website.

This is very confusing, and I ended up travel through HKG to Beijing.

Has anyone traveled on Air China Beijing route? Have you got miles and/or TPs?

Thanks

Hi Snow

AFAIK, as the LON-PEK route is a Codeshare with CA, you will not earn any miles or tier points, though the other CA flights (i.e, ones they operate themselves, non-codeshare, PEK-PVG etc) should be miles and tier point earning through the partner airline program. LON-PEK is the only VS codeshare IIRC.

The partner earning was set out in the March 2006 Press Release, it implies that FC members travelling on CA flights will be able to earn miles, the LHR-PEK codeshare will be exempt though.

You may be best to call Flying Club to see if they can give you an update, as this was a few months back.

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks Sarah, it seems I misunderstood what this particular codeshare deal mean.

So we don't get miles/TPs on codeshared flights with South Africa, Air China, Virgin Blus and US Airways, but can collect miles through codeshared flights by Singapore Airlines, bmi, and Continental.

But we will get miles/TPs by flying with the first four airline partners on other routes that they operate. Am I right?

Just checked the full terms and conditions on VA website, there is still no sign of mentioning that we can earn miles/TPs through Air China.

Will call FC tomorrow to confirm the miles/TPs earning policy with CA.

Snow

Hiya

Take a look at the Partner/Codeshare T&C's on the VS website as this might help clarify matters a little more:

"15.1 bmi:
All tickets for bmi code share services bearing the 'VS' flight number prefix will earn miles.

15.2 Continental Airlines:
Continental Airlines: Code share services operated by Continental Airlines with tickets bearing a 'VS' flight prefix will earn miles. Tickets with 'CO' prefix will not qualify for miles.

15.3 Singapore Airlines:
Code share services operated by Singapore Airlines with tickets bearing a 'VS' flight prefix will earn miles.

15.4 Only flights operated by the partner airline itself will qualify to earn and/ or redeem miles. Miles and tier points will not be earned on flights operated under a code share agreement or for undisclosed discounted fares and reward travel."

And from the Partners Index

"Air China

Virgin Atlantic have signed a Codeshare Agreement with Air China in Beijing to codeshare on Air China's London Beijing services, complementing Virgin Atlantic's daily flights into Shanghai, in the People's Republic of China."

Which i take to mean that partner flights, ex-codeshare's, will earn miles.

Thanks,
Sarah

Just a quick update for anyone interested in Air China agreement.

Called FC (25 minutes waiting time, unusual today), they said Air China is not on their Partner list, so they don't think they can give either miles or TPs on any Air China routes.

When I quoted the pages that Sarah pointed out and read line by line to them, they suddenly think its ok now.
As I said, on this topic it is very confusing.

What they suggested is that I can post boarding pass to them after each CA flight, and they will look into it. I will do that after my December trip, and let everyone know the outcome.