Is International Virgin Reward availability now worse that QANTAS?

[serfty]

...
Am I crazy to be considering going the opposite direction via AUH on Etihad? (30 hours) They have a lot of availability

Not on AFF ...such a routing by many would be considered normal ...

 

[Peter D]

I'm trying to find SYD to JFK J in Feb-March 2017 and coming up with zero.

Am I crazy to be considering going the opposite direction via AUH on Etihad? (30 hours) They have a lot of availability

Not crazy. I am doing exactly that in September but using QF points on Qatar via Doha to Washington.
. Couldn't find any seats trans Pacific.

A bit longer but comfortable flight and lounges. So no big deal.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I'm trying to find SYD to JFK J in Feb-March 2017 and coming up with zero.

Am I crazy to be considering going the opposite direction via AUH on Etihad? (30 hours) They have a lot of availability

You'd be crazy not to!

You could also consider SQ via SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK.

 

[Quickstatus]

EY may "have a lot of availability" on their website/system if you have EY points, but as discussed on another thread this does not translate to the same availability using VA points on EY flights via the VA website. In fact the frustration I sense on that thread is much the same as it is here.

 

[rtyuiop]

I did this the other way (came home from the east coast US via AUH) and was very happy with it. 26 hours or so in 787 F turned out to be a good way to wind down from a holiday, and while the flying time was higher, it only translated to landing one evening instead of the same morning - and I would have been jet lagged for the day if I'd landed in the morning anyway.

 

[Kilo]

EY may "have a lot of availability" on their website/system if you have EY points, but as discussed on another thread this does not translate to the same availability using VA points on EY flights via the VA website. In fact the frustration I sense on that thread is much the same as it is here.

This is using the VA site.
Though I will try for F using the Etihad site for availability and calling Velocity.

 

[Quickstatus]

This is using the VA site.
Though I will try for F using the Etihad site for availability and calling Velocity.

Again dont get your hopes up:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....question-about-etihad-f-redemption-76083.html



Calling VA and saying EY has reward seats now give me these seats may not work because VA guest center staff can only see a VA screen and whats available via the VA system

 

[CJEMNMAC]

This is using the VA site.
Though I will try for F using the Etihad site for availability and calling Velocity.

Definitely try calling. You never know.... As Quickstatus says this method is proving difficult. Not impossible but very frustrating.

The more often than not response is the VA agent cannot see the availability.

 

[Kilo]

Again dont get your hopes up:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....question-about-etihad-f-redemption-76083.html



Calling VA and saying EY has reward seats now give me these seats may not work because VA guest center staff can only see a VA screen and whats available via the VA system

Thanks - I will see how it goes!

 

[Quickstatus]

And also here:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-reward-availability-76077-2.html#post1452998

 

[hossein_au]

Not on AFF ...such a routing by many would be considered normal ...

I would go further and replace the word "normal" with the word "preferred" in the above paragraph

 

[justcallmeryan]

I would go further and replace the word "normal" with the word "preferred" in the above paragraph

I'd do it.... Still one stop and transiting through AUH is arguably a lot nicer than LAX! Plus J or F on EY is up there with the world's best.... #goforit

 

[RAM]

I'm trying to find SYD to JFK J in Feb-March 2017 and coming up with zero.

Am I crazy to be considering going the opposite direction via AUH on Etihad? (30 hours) They have a lot of availability

WARNING: I rate (and have REALLY enjoyed) EY J highly. If travelling alone go for window, if a couple go for the center,

Depends if you enjoy flying in J? Eating some extra meals (no making or cleaning up after yourself), watching more movies (without the phone ringing or being nagged), sampling several champagnes/wines and that extra dessert or three...

Some look at cost / time others look at time involved - your call. If I had the time available (not restricted to one day less available time on the ground at destination for example)...

Provided I have slimmed down in the lead up then extra J flying time is my choice.

 

[VAG newbie]

WARNING: I rate (and have REALLY enjoyed) EY J highly. If travelling alone go for window, if a couple go for the center,

Depends if you enjoy flying in J? Eating some extra meals (no making or cleaning up after yourself), watching more movies (without the phone ringing or being nagged), sampling several champagnes/wines and that extra dessert or three...

Some look at cost / time others look at time involved - your call. If I had the time available (not restricted to one day less available time on the ground at destination for example)...

Provided I have slimmed down in the lead up then extra J flying time is my choice.

I agree too! Also if you can score the business studio in A380 or 787, it's almost as good as many first class, and the 28hr in the air just flies!

Also don't forget you get chauffeur at both ends.

 

[Kilo]

Thanks all for the sage advice.

Excited to have scored EY F MEL - JFK. Including a leg in the 380 First Apartment which I am very much looking forward to.

Coming back via BKK to warm up a little. Contemplating a Singapore Suite as there appears to be availability.

 

[lang_13]

Well I managed to nab some flights to Dublin and back in late October - can't wait! Ran into a bit of an issue with the taxes though. When I booked the flights I paid $275 x 2 in taxes. I though this was a little high but booked anyway as was keen to confirm the seats. Went onto the site the next night to check and lo and behold taxes were down to $50 each.

Rang Virgin to ask whether there was an issue .. .rep gave me the usual line that partner availability and charges change all the time...blah, blah.... Asked to speak to a supervisor... rep put me on hold and after a while came back to tell me that it was a known issue with the taxes on some Etihad bookings. Rep then proceeded to cancel original booking and rebook with correct charges.

I wonder whether anyone else would be in the same boat? I remember receiving a call last time I booked a reward seat advising me that their booking system failed to charge me the $30 booking fee and that the ticket would be cancelled if I failed to pay. Hopefully Virgin will be as proactive in refunding any incorrect charges..

 

[deepblerg]

With the new points tables switching over tomorrow I decided to bite the bullet and book an EY F reward for me and the mrs.

SYD -> AUH -> JFK for 375,000 points with one of the legs in the 380. It will be our first time in F - absolutely can't wait!

The booking didn't leave me with much points left over so my plan for the return trip is to make our way back to LA and book 2 VA flexis LAX -> SYD and hope we can do a points upgrade to J.

Any advice on how to book the flexis because the price online for both of us one-way flexi is US$2,520 - seems a bit steep or is that just how it is when booking one way?

 

[VAG newbie]

With the new points tables switching over tomorrow I decided to bite the bullet and book an EY F reward for me and the mrs.

SYD -> AUH -> JFK for 375,000 points with one of the legs in the 380. It will be our first time in F - absolutely can't wait!

The booking didn't leave me with much points left over so my plan for the return trip is to make our way back to LA and book 2 VA flexis LAX -> SYD and hope we can do a points upgrade to J.

Any advice on how to book the flexis because the price online for both of us one-way flexi is US$2,520 - seems a bit steep or is that just how it is when booking one way?

You can consider buying miles from other airlines. With that sort of price you can fly back in J instead of Y.

 

[drewbles]

With the new points tables switching over tomorrow I decided to bite the bullet and book an EY F reward for me and the mrs.

SYD -> AUH -> JFK for 375,000 points with one of the legs in the 380. It will be our first time in F - absolutely can't wait!

The booking didn't leave me with much points left over so my plan for the return trip is to make our way back to LA and book 2 VA flexis LAX -> SYD and hope we can do a points upgrade to J.

Any advice on how to book the flexis because the price online for both of us one-way flexi is US$2,520 - seems a bit steep or is that just how it is when booking one way?

Unfortunately one way long haul international are typically considerably more expensive than booking a return. Flexis even worse as you can see.

Keep in mind, that if you do take this route, only VA Gold and Platinum can request upgrades to higher cabins for points. You can request an UpgradeMe Premium paid bid though.

 

[justcallmeryan]

The booking didn't leave me with much points left over so my plan for the return trip is to make our way back to LA and book 2 VA flexis LAX -> SYD and hope we can do a points upgrade to J.

Any advice on how to book the flexis because the price online for both of us one-way flexi is US$2,520 - seems a bit steep or is that just how it is when booking one way?

One way long haul LAX - OZ is never cheap unfortunately. The best deals I've been able to find have been (in the past) on NZ via AKL or a combo of Hawaiian and Jetstar routing through HNL.

Also, just keep in mind the points upgrades to Y+ and J on VA for long haul are few and far between atm, particularly given you need 2. I know I'd be pretty upset if I bought the flexi ticket and ended up sitting in Y with the same benefits as if paid for a saver (other than a few more points and SC's).