Finding VA rewards to Europe

[Airbumps]

Hey all,

I was hoping you guys might be able to clear something up for me. I'm looking for reward seats from MEL-LON using VA and EY. I've got the miles so that's no problem, what I'm looking to clear up is what award seat availability I can use.

If I do a search from MEL-LON (or FRA/MAN for that mater) on the VA website I get nothing for most of July/Aug/Sept. If however I do search for each segment manually I can find availability.

Using the VA website I can see good J award availability on most of the MEL(SYD)-AUH operated by VA. Thats good.
Using KVS I can see EY availability on flights that should meet the VA connection from AUH-LON (and MAN). Thats good.

If I call VA and give them the dates are they usually able to put these award seats together, or am I tied to only what can be seen on the website?

I'm not an Etihad Guest member so I don't know what can be see through their FF program? If I join up, will I be able to see their award availability or should I just trust KVS?

Cheers guys,

 

[DeKa]

Are you searching for LON or LHR?

LON is a generic code for all airports around London but LHR is the code for Heathrow, which is where Ethihad fly to.

 

[notzac]

If you can't see what you're after online - call. VA ought to be able to access EY's reward inventory; the reason it doesn't show up online is because Sabre is awesome ( ) and is only capable of displaying VA coded flights. VA have attempted to bandaid it by codesharing award inventory - but it's not indicative of actual award inventory on EY metal. Also consider that there may be options on SQ, which have never been available online.

One of these days, someone at VA is going to realise it's 2014 and their miserable excuse of a website doesn't cut it.

 

[greenfish]

No need to join Etihad Guest:

Book flights with Etihad Guest Miles

Generally you can book what is available through this link via the VA Contact Centre.

 

[notzac]

No need to join Etihad Guest:

Book flights with Etihad Guest Miles

Generally you can book what is available through this link via the VA Contact Centre.

GENIUS! Thanks for sharing

 

[Airbumps]

Excellent, thanks guys.

I'll keep going with KVS and match up my flights that way then give them a call.