Time Virgin release their award seats.

[mlob]

Have been watching the award seat release quite closely as there seems to be few J seats available and we have an upcoming booking to be made. Wondering if anyone knows what time the seats are released on a daily basis. I know QFF is at 10 am Eastern standard.

 

[asterix]

Doesn't seem this question was answered. Does anybody know the answer, I want to book a flight which is being released in a few days and don't want to miss out. I've had to pay extra taxes to go SYD-BNE-DPS because I missed the release of those seats already. Don't want the same happening on the return. I was trying to save and not have to pay the booking fee twice, but as a result all the seats sold out on me to our VFF.

 

[theblank]

Off topic, but consider that CGK-SIN-SYD is 37500 pts plus $50 (less after June1), and I seem to notice that the SQ reward flights are almost always available. Then there is about 1000 flights a day from DPS-CGK for $50. Just got to run the guantlet which flight is going to be delayed the least. (fly early morning less chance then).

 

[asterix]

Off topic, but consider that CGK-SIN-SYD is 37500 pts plus $50 (less after June1), and I seem to notice that the SQ reward flights are almost always available. Then there is about 1000 flights a day from DPS-CGK for $50. Just got to run the guantlet which flight is going to be delayed the least. (fly early morning less chance then).

Thanks, I'll look at that as an option. Trying to minimise flight time as we're travelling with kids.

 

[Mattg]

I believe that VA releases their seats at midnight (Aust east coast time), 330 days out.

 

[asterix]

I believe that VA releases their seats at midnight (Aust east coast time), 330 days out.

I'll keep an eye on it, my fares should be released on Friday night at midnight if that's the case. When I checked this morning at 0745 the next day was available, so I know if it before 0745, midnight is highly likely.

 

[Bagpuss]

I believe that VA releases their seats at midnight (Aust east coast time), 330 days out.

They actually come on in the afternoon can't remember if it's 4PM or 5PM Sydney time.

For example right now as I type this, the furthest date I can select in the calendar when booking is April 13th 2017. When it returns results it will say April 14th onwards is unavailable.
However, after the trigger time (3/4PM), the calendar will still show April 13th 2017. However, the results will show availability for April 14th. I've actually noticed you can sometimes book a lot of reward seats (this is the website bug I hope Virgin never fix!). You can also book tickets too, though sometimes it's a premium until the calendar updates.
When the calendar updates, results often differ.

... I think the front calendar updates around midnight.

 

[asterix]

They actually come on in the afternoon can't remember if it's 4PM or 5PM Sydney time.

For example right now as I type this, the furthest date I can select in the calendar when booking is April 13th 2017. When it returns results it will say April 14th onwards is unavailable.
However, after the trigger time (3/4PM), the calendar will still show April 13th 2017. However, the results will show availability for April 14th. I've actually noticed you can sometimes book a lot of reward seats (this is the website bug I hope Virgin never fix!). You can also book tickets too, though sometimes it's a premium until the calendar updates.
When the calendar updates, results often differ.

... I think the front calendar updates around midnight.

Interesting, thanks for that information Bagpuss, I'll have a look after 4PM and see if the next day has been released.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

It is often hard to predict.

I sometimes find a lot more availability at +/- 300 days rather than at the 330 mark

 

[davidhes]

Anyone else notice that Virgin availability on Etihad to London has disappeared from the 6 APR 2017 to 13 APR 2017 (furthest ahead you can book). Yesterday there was plenty of availability for that week. All of a sudden there is not a single business reward seat from BN, SYD or MEL. Was tracking them for a friend who was waiting for the 15 APR 2017 to open and book.

Edit: called velocity, the availability is still showing on their system. Just not on the web.

 

[Bagpuss]

FYI it's just updated now (5PM Sydney time) so you can now see Friday 14th April.

Interesting enough my random search was Perth - Melbourne. Thursday 13th is $369 one way and Friday 14th is $199! Also, I can get 1 business redemption on each direct flight on Friday 14th (just released) but nothing between 1st April - 13th April .... Though that holds merit around rewarding being available approx 300ish days out.

 

[asterix]

I checked at 3PM, 4PM and I checked just after 5PM and April 14th was available at 5PM, but the flight I want is showing as sold out already. So I'll have to be super quick, I'll check the release time tomorrow again.

 

[serfty]

Note that that when bookings for "the next 330 day" become available, its not necessarily specifically reward seats, it seats in general (although if any awards are already loaded they can be booked).

More recently I have noticed award seats can become available from arpund 300 days and closer to the date sometime between midnight and 5am BNE time.

 

[mlob]

I'm trying to get my family of 4 to LAX next year early April. Having a bit if a search around I can see a few days with 2 seats availed ( not many I must add!) but if I go as early as Jan or Feb their seems to be generally more business seats and quite a few days with 4 available. Do you think it's worth grabbing 2 now and wait and watch in case another 2 become available on that flight? I logged on this morning and miraculously there were 4 seats showing on the day I was after but after going through the booking process it finally came up with a "these seats are no longer available". ugh!