Guaranteed Reward Seat

[tedball1878]

Hi there,

I am a Platinum member and hoping to book a flight to the UK next September using points.

I called to speak to someone at Velocity but the answers were a bit hazy, so I'll ask here.

Am I guaranteed a one way fare for 77,700 points from Melbourne to Manchester as long as I book 6 months prior to travelling? Does the same apply if I just book one way Manchester to Melbourne?

The T&Cs refer to leaving from Australia and being return flights, but I'm not sure if both of those factors are pre-requisites or just providing limiting information (ie you're guaranteed four return tickets, but you could just take a single return ticket, or a one way).

Thanks in advance,
Ted

 

[serfty]

The T&C's (for Platinum) are below. There is no specific mention of one-way or return, the implication is for return can be gleaned from 16.3.4(a).

I would suggest that a oneway ex Oz(or NZ) would be possible, but not the other way.


(https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.c...rmsConditions/index.htm#guaranteedrewardseats)

16.3 Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats for an Annual Family Trip

16.3.1 VRPL guarantees that Platinum Members can make one Reward Seat booking for up to four guests on Economy Class return flights either:

(a) on any Virgin Australia Domestic route; or


(b) departing from Australia (or from New Zealand if the Platinum Member is a New Zealand resident) to an Any International destination to which Virgin Australia or an Airline Partner flies,

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in each Benefit Period (Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats).

16.3.2 The Platinum Member must be included and travelling in the booking for the Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats and the Points must be redeemed from their Platinum Membership Account.

16.3.3 If the Platinum Member chooses to redeem Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats for an annual family trip, the Platinum Member must contact the Membership Contact Centre to request a booking.

16.3.4 The request for the Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats on Virgin Australia Domestic flights must:

(a) include the desired departure and return dates, destination and number of guests travelling;

(b) be made at least six months prior to the desired date of departure; and

(c) allow for a three day booking window for each Flight Sector (one day either side of the desired departure and return dates).

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16.3.5 If the Platinum Member chooses to redeem Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats on Any International flights, the following conditions apply:

(a) The request must:

(i) include the desired departure and return dates, destination and number of guests travelling;

(ii) be made at least six months prior to the desired date of departure; and

(iii) allow for a seven day booking window for each Flight Sector (three days either side of the desired departure and return dates).

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(b) The airline and flight will be chosen at our discretion.

(c) If there is no direct flight available from the Platinum Member's desired airport of departure in Australia, VRPL may offer to fly the Platinum Member and their travelling guests to a more suitable Australian airport for departure, at VRPL’s expense.


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16.3.6 The entitlement to the Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats will expire if not redeemed (by making a booking in accordance with clause 16.3.4 for Virgin Australia Domestic flights or clause 16.3.5 for Any International flights) before the Platinum Member’s next Review Date. The travel dates for flights in the booking for the Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats for an Annual Family Trip are not required to be within the current Benefit Period.

16.3.7 Platinum Members, who are placed on Membership Pause for Parental Leave, may continue to redeem Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats prior to their expiry. The travel dates for flights in the booking for the Platinum Guaranteed Reward Seats for an Annual Family Trip are not required to be within the Membership Pause for Parental Leave Period.

 

[Agro11]

I have booked a one way flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane for myself and my daughter in January 2015 using the guaranteed reward booking. Since reward seats were available on the flight over to Los Angeles, I booked that leg one way through the website on a separate booking. So, you can use the guarantee on a booking originating overseas.