Is International Virgin Reward availability now worse that QANTAS?

[DaveB]

Not sure how the logic works releasing no award seats initially then releasing to all and sundry a few days out. Found they also did this on AKL flights in peak demand.
VA obviously don't care that this must seriously annoy customers who only want surety in the system. Would not want to go through the hassle of waiting on an upgrade/release let alone the hassle of finalising the return likely whilst already away.
DL then CX have in my opinion the best system going for reward seat allocation with SQ close behind though not as good going from a three to a two tier reward classification. With the worldwide flooding of FF points, schemes that have separate reward allocations to their own scheme members are becoming extremely valuable.
Have accordingly wound back flying VA with no issue as had previously just transited via LAX.

 

[flying_duck]

Doesn't look like it I'm afraid, at least not in the short-term. I don't think it was actually that helpful for LAX business reward availability anyway - all it showed was that any business reward seats released for ~+330 days (if there even were any) were snapped up almost instantly, and then there was no real availability until a couple of days before the flight. So the best option is to check rigorously at ~+330 days, and if that fails and you're gold (and willing to risk it) maybe buy a freedom/premium fare and hope for an upgrade opportunity a couple of days out from the flight?

Economy rewards were pretty much available every day. I guess the tool would have been more helpful hunting for the rare but not completely gone premium reward availability.

Having just been looking for an economy seat BNE (or AUS) to LAX, across a 2 week period in July, theres zero. Nothing in any cabin available. I've got a last minute trip and being summer don't want to pay the exorbitant prices for tickets.

I'd certainly appreciate the ability to search for economy rewards.

 

[serfty]

I find Expert flyer searching for VA rewards unreliable.

I believe it uses the DL website for searching.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Having just been looking for an economy seat BNE (or AUS) to LAX, across a 2 week period in July, theres zero. Nothing in any cabin available. I've got a last minute trip and being summer don't want to pay the exorbitant prices for tickets.

I'd certainly appreciate the ability to search for economy rewards.

Well if revenue tickets are exorbitant then perhaps it's no wonder that there are no award seats available!

 

[stm1sydney]

across a 2 week period in July, theres zero.... being summer don't want to pay the exorbitant prices for tickets.

That's the thing, though. Prices are very high for that period because demand is very high. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is no reward availability. VA has to make a profit somehow, and why not sell seats at a very high price when you can.

 

[flying_duck]

Well if revenue tickets are exorbitant then perhaps it's no wonder that there are no award seats available!

Exhorbitant maybe the wrong word - I'm a tightarse and they aren't dirt cheap?

On another note I'm getting a handful of emails for LAX - SYD J availability in the first two weeks of July for anyone interested.

 

[PhilandJosh]

If you have platinum flying duck you should be able to use the guaranteed reward seat?

 

[andye]

If you have platinum flying duck you should be able to use the guaranteed reward seat?

Doesnt look like he'll be able to give the 6-month notice

 

[Muppet501st]

booked 2 x return J BNE-LAX last week for July 22nd return on the 26th. This is a week after school holidays.

 

[pauly7]

Exhorbitant maybe the wrong word - I'm a tightarse and they aren't dirt cheap?

On another note I'm getting a handful of emails for LAX - SYD J availability in the first two weeks of July for anyone interested.

VA loads on US flights are low, it’s a route in trouble so might help explain why?

 

[nathrek]

Have been waitlisted for VA23 (MEL-LAX) for a few months now on a PE ticket. Gold status and upgrade came through today. Fingers crossed I can get the same for the return leg (VA24 LAX-MEL).

 

[flying_duck]

Doesnt look like he'll be able to give the 6-month notice

Thanks Andye (she/me) is unlikely to have more than a weeks notice.

 

[freebo]

Upgraded both legs of my Freedom Economy to J BNE-LAX and LAX-SYD about 20 days out in July, same fare class (Z) as J reward.

Expertflyer didn't alert me, but I was checking the VA website daily, saw many other days become available randomly too.

Most of the best seats are gone, debating 9A vs 8K and 2K.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Had purchased our PE & Y reward seats in the 30% off promotion and waiting for J availability to open up. Had 2 x J seats come up today for the outbound leg, but no joy on the return. Had to pass and just see whether the seating Gods will be kind when (and if) the return legs open up.