CO/UA Ends Onepass Relationship With Virgin Atlantic

avek00 · Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:33 pm

Just posted on Continental.com:

"Effective February 13, 2012 we will discontinue our OnePass partnership with Virgin Atlantic. Mileage accrual benefits are valid for travel through February 13, 2012."

http://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US...rlinePartnerDetails.aspx?ItemId=77

So what say you about VS joining Star?

freeskies · Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:46 pm

As a OnePass (and soon to be MileagePlus) Elite member, it's too bad that I'll have less choice.

But I can understand United's reasoning. VS doesn't fit into UA's alliance strategy. VS really ought to have made up its mind about future alliances a long time ago (rather than "talking the talk" about alliances, and instead engaging in litigious pursuits against BA-AA/BD).

LAXintl · Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:57 pm

This was posted sometime last year - simply put OnePass ceases to exist and as such most non-Star relationship ends.

For instance the EVA Air partnership ends also while Kingfisher ended December 31st.

N62NA · Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:59 am

I wonder if this means VS will soon be exiting EWR.

Viscount724 · Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:10 am

What's the status of the CO/VS codeshare on many U.S.-LHR routes? Has that ended yet?

LGWflyer · Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:17 am

Quoting N62NA (Reply 3):
I wonder if this means VS will soon be exiting EWR.

No I don't see VS leaving EWR anytime soon.

FSDan · Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:19 am

Quoting N62NA (Reply 3):
I wonder if this means VS will soon be exiting EWR.

I doubt it. That's one of only a few TATL routes they fly with a frequency greater than 1x daily.

timberwolf24 · Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:29 am

The title is misleading as United never had a relationship with Virgin Atlantic. This is more of a housekeeping item as has been stated Continental's OnePass program ends and merged into United's MileagePlus program. As for the CO/VS code share if that has not ended it will be soon as if I'm not mistaken (please correct me if I'm wrong) the plan is to have UA/CO res and website merged into one this March and at that point the CO code will move into history.

[Edited 2012-01-18 17:30:30]

ikramerica · Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:27 am

Quoting timberwolf24 (Reply 7):
The title is misleading as United never had a relationship with Virgin Atlantic. This is more of a housekeeping item as has been stated Continental's OnePass program ends and merged into United's MileagePlus program. As for the CO/VS code share if that has not ended it will be soon as if I'm not mistaken (please correct me if I'm wrong) the plan is to have UA/CO res and website merged into one this March and at that point the CO code will move into history.

To be more accurate, OnePass is being renamed MileagePlus (one word), and both Milage Plus and OnePass are ending. The actual system remaining in place is the OnePass system, including OnePass account numbers. Those who only have a Mileage Plus number will be reassigned, those with both should link them so that your OnePass number is kept and all your Mileage Plus miles move correctly to that OnePass/MileagePlus number.

The award booking system will be based on the OnePass system. This is why OnePass had to conform to the Mileage Plus award levels, accrual rules, etc., etc. before merging the two. If the Mileage Plus system was the one being kept, OnePass could have simply been "turned off" rather than brought into standard, with miles transferred to MP.

avek00 · Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:20 am

Quoting LAXintl (Reply 2):

This was posted sometime last year - simply put OnePass ceases to exist and as such most non-Star relationship ends.

No, this is a brand new development. The fate of the remaining non-Star partnerships of both subsidiaries of the new United are unknown.

Quoting timberwolf24 (Reply 7):

The title is misleading as United never had a relationship with Virgin Atlantic.

Not at all misleading, Continental is just a marketing name at this point in time, everything from a corporate standpoint is done by United.

ChiGB1973 · Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:34 am

Quoting freeskies (Reply 1):
As a OnePass (and soon to be MileagePlus) Elite member, it's too bad that I'll have less choice.

I understand you'll have less choice, but living in Berlin, how did VS effect you? Was it the VS experience, not liking LH, just out of curiosity here?

M

bayareapilot · Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:45 am

Not Surprising. This is really the culmination of a number of events:
- EU-US Open Skies giving CO access to LHR
- CO joining *A
- CO/UA merger

VS went from adding significant value to the CO network to offering very little in terms of additional stations served or routes flown.

But VS is 49% owned by SQ, so there's still a significant *A connection.

[Edited 2012-01-18 22:51:44]

freeskies · Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:58 am

Quoting ChiGB1973 (Reply 10):
I understand you'll have less choice, but living in Berlin, how did VS effect you? Was it the VS experience, not liking LH, just out of curiosity here?

I really meant that very generally - a greater choice of airlines in the FF program is nearly always a positive.

VS affects me very little these days though. I used to live in the UK, and 10 years ago I would have probably chosen them over other carriers. Now I'm living in Germany, I wouldn't want to connect in LHR if flying TATL! I like flying LH both short and long haul, and if flying to the US would use the UA/CO's non-stop product from BER.

hiflyer · Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:26 am

Quoting ikramerica (Reply 8):
To be more accurate, OnePass is being renamed MileagePlus (one word)

Due to UA adopting the old CO/ex EA CRS system Shares.

nethkt · Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:16 am

Damn, this is sad news. I always see VS upper class seats available for online award redemption at Continental.com

HKG-SYD, LHR-SFO, LHR-JNB you name it......
no more fancy flights at cheap mileage redemptions.

But ending mileage program's partnership doesn't mean they can't later become same alliance's member.

It's just that Richard is so confident that he could create his own VIRGIN WORLD STAR TEAM under all virgin brand!

UAL777UK · Thu Jan 19, 2012 11:32 am

I guess it was only a matter of time before this happened. UA does need VS any more going forward.

Quoting N62NA (Reply 3):
I wonder if this means VS will soon be exiting EWR.

This was there first ever destination from London (LGW), I dont think we will see them pull out, indeed if we did I would go as far as to say that would be because they are shutting up shop!

Quoting nethkt (Reply 14):
It's just that Richard is so confident that he could create his own VIRGIN WORLD STAR TEAM under all virgin brand!

Well he had beeter get his back side into gear then because at the moment VS reminds me of Custers last stand.......he is being surrounded and squeezed by all the big three alliances and I am not totally convinced they will come out of this in one piece!

fun2fly · Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:59 pm

Sad to see VS go, but certainly understand. It has no bearing that SQ is 49% owner, especially since SQ is not fully integrated with UA on the Star Alliance deal.

I wonder when UA will do the similar "housekeeping" the Aer Lingus relationship?

ORDJOE · Thu Jan 19, 2012 1:32 pm

Quoting fun2fly (Reply 16):
I wonder when UA will do the similar "housekeeping" the Aer Lingus relationship?

I thought UA and EI are fairly close together. Isn't the IAD-MAD flight on EI essentially UA outsourcing it to the cheaper Aer Lingus. I know UA and EI still codeshare on other routes. I think

hohd · Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:37 pm

The airlines which still have relationship with new MP, will be old UA's partners, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus and TACA. I am wondering if TACA and QR will be still be partners, as TACA is a direct competitor to CO routes in IAH and QR is generally more of competition to UA's star partners, LH and others. Jet's relationship may continue, since they only compete via a 1 stop flight from EWR to India with CO. EVA appears to still have a relationship, dont see it as ending soon.

[Edited 2012-01-19 08:39:29]

kgaiflyer · Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:49 pm

Quoting fun2fly (Reply 16):
I wonder when UA will do the similar "housekeeping" the Aer Lingus relationship?

But until the 787s arrive, UA needs long-range twins.

More likely to see UA invade Ireland and seize the remaining 330s

Kleiner · Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:48 pm

So what US carriers can I get VS miles on now?

kgaiflyer · Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:24 pm

Quoting Kleiner (Reply 20):
So what US carriers can I get VS miles on now?

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/us...lyer/fcpartners/airlines/index.jsp

kgaiflyer · Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:42 pm

Quoting fun2fly (Reply 16):
I wonder when UA will do the similar "housekeeping" the Aer Lingus relationship?

I'm told that because both Ireland and Northern Ireland are part of the State Department's VWP (Visa Waiver program) building crews on wet-leased planes is that much easier.

In addition, EI already has 5 planes leased out to other airlines. And the one 333 in storage at GWO since last April isn't earning anyone any money.

willd · Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:56 pm

Quoting FSDan (Reply 6):

Quoting N62NA (Reply 3):
I wonder if this means VS will soon be exiting EWR.

I doubt it. That's one of only a few TATL routes they fly with a frequency greater than 1x daily.

Ok then so here is what VS operates more than once a day at somepoint during the year if not throughout the year:

LHR-JFK
LHR-EWR
LHR-LAX
LHR-SFO (Seasonal)
LGW-MCO
MAN-MCO (seasonal)

So that leaves LHR-MIA, MAN-LAS, LHR-ORD (when operating) LGW-LAS LHR-IAD and LHR-BOS (later two did used to be double daily) that are only once a day throughout the year. All other routes have at least more than one flight a day at somepoint during the year. Given the size of VS I think they do pretty well.

ordbosewr · Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:01 pm

Quoting hohd (Reply 18):

The airlines which still have relationship with new MP, will be old UA's partners, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus and TACA. I am wondering if TACA and QR will be still be partners, as TACA is a direct competitor to CO routes in IAH and QR is generally more of competition to UA's star partners, LH and others. Jet's relationship may continue, since they only compete via a 1 stop flight from EWR to India with CO. EVA appears to still have a relationship, dont see it as ending soon.

TACA will remain a partner as they will be entering *A in the next 3-6months. So that is a given.
The question you may be asking but not stating is the codeshare relationship. Meaning, TACA will be in * which means you can earn and burn but that does not mean that UA will have a codeshare relationship with them moving forward. SQ comes to mind with UA prior to merger.

EVA will join * as well (or announced the plans too).

Jet is rumored to want to join * but the Indian government is blocking that in favor of Air India.