V-Flyer

Can I use my Virgin Flying Club account to earn miles with BMI flying to South Africa. If I make the booking with BMI instead of SAA is it possible to obtain miles that can be credited to my Flying Club Account. Can I do this as BMI is a Virgin Partner and SAA isn't . Is just a case of giving BMI my Flying Club account number when I make the booking. Also, what would happen at Check In would SAA except my Flying Club Card? I am not planning to fly with Virgin because they use the A340 - 300 on this route, not good value in PE.

I think (and hope) that the answer is yes.

Thanks Alan

[:?] i am not sure if you can - my only experience with this is flying to berlin with bmi (lufthansa), and on that route you do not earn vs miles or tp's - sorry...

You can only earn VS miles on BD flights operated by BD metal. I asked the question a while ago about a codeshare (BD ticketed) AC flight to Montreal, and the answer was no.

BD flight no with VS metal = VS miles or BD/*A miles
BD flight no with BD metal = VS miles or BD/*A miles
BD flight no with *A metal = BD/*A miles only
*A flight no with BD metal = BD/*A miles only

Hi Alan,
In my experience you can only earn miles on BMI which are operated by themselves, not their codeshares.

SAA are a flying club partner, if you book direct with them you can earn miles and TP's - However, where are you looking to travel to in SA??? If you are looking to get to JNB - I am fairly sure that VS were operating a 346 and a 744 over the winter, not sure about what is on the summer timetable though. Thats our summer by the way!!!!!

That's a good point Rob, why don't you just book with SAA Alan?

Excluding the current "issues" with booking/redeeming rewards with them, they are a partner in their own right:

s) South African Airways

Earning miles:
Miles will be issued to Flying Club members when travelling in the following classes:
First Class: F, A
Business Class: J, C, Z
Economy Class: Y, M, B, K, H, S, Q
Discounted Economy Class: T, V, L, X
All other classes do not qualify for mileage.

Spending miles:
Travel within South Africa only: open jaw flights are allowed but must return to point of origin.
24 hour connection may be required for travel between Dakar and New York.
All flights operated by South African Airways as well as feeder airlines SA Express and SA Airlink qualify for Flying Club mileage and redemptions.

All flights are subject to availability. There are no blackout periods.

I had another look on SAA website and can now see that Virgin is a partner of SAA, but I am now confused, it is not very clear.

This is what SAA state:

Airline Partners and how to earn Miles

Â¥ Quote your Voyager membership number when making your reservation.
Â¥ Present your Voyager membership card upon check-in.
Â¥ Keep your original boarding pass and a copy of your ticket until Miles reflect on your Mileage Summary.

[?] I don't have a Voyager membership number to quote there is no mention of being able to quote my FC Number.

Please help very confused !

By the way I am going to Cape Town in Jan Expedia and V - Flyer show the 340 - 300 on this route and from what I have heard PE is a rip off. If SAA Business Class is cheaper than Upper then I may give this a go, if not then maybe BA WT+

Hi Alan,

You're refering to the SAA Voyager terms that are relevant to SAA FF's travelling on Virgin Atlantic. This is not at all relevant to your case.

You need to look at the VS terms (as I posted above) which are relevant to VS flying club members when travelling with SAA. And yes, they ARE a partner, and yes, you'll earn miles & tier points in accordance with the general partner terms & conditions.

Miles are as above, Tier Points are:

2,000 miles = 1 in Y, 2 in Business, 2 in First.


One thing I will guarantee, also, if you're considering a trip there in BA's WT+ : You won't earn miles/tier points with VS for that flight

Thank you. Please can you just clarify one last thing. If I want to fly with SAA and earn VA Miles and Tier Points do I just quote my FC number when I book and show it again when I checkin ?

Hi Alan,
You will be able to quote your F.C number when you book.
Last March I travelled with SAA from PLZ - JNB. I presented my F.C card at checkin, the agent confirmed that my VS ref was attached to the booking - the miles appeared in my account within 2 days!! Nice and efficient, just how we like it!!!

Thanks for all your help. I just wish VA would upgarde their 340 - 300 PE cabins I will not travel Y and can not always afford J. They are losing revenue because of this.