SYD - LAX - LHR - SYD with points?

[broombroom]

Hi All, long time lurker, love this site. I've learnt so much thanks to the tips on here.

I'm a VA platinum-soon to be demoted to gold (moved to sydney and no longer flying as much for work boo)

I'm headed to LAX for 6 weeks then to Edinburgh Fringe for 4 weeks, then back to sydney.

Ive got 388 000 points and would love to use them to make this trip less expensive.

am I right in understanding some trips purchased on points earn status still?

If yes, should i use the points for SYD LAX (virgin aust metal)

or LAX- LHR (presumably Virgin atlantic- do they recognise VA status? or is there someone else i should look at for this leg?)


I was going to use a travel agent but I think i can buy two return flights (syd - lax return, lax- lhr return) and then
I can use points for some of it.

Any advice you can give me would be much appreciated!

 

[Johnno101]

You probably left it a bit late for going to US in July and coming back from Europe in early September.
I was able to find a Business Class Sydney to LAX on 8th July for 79,900 points and $104.72. Otherwise cannot find any reasonable points awards for you.

 

[broombroom]

Thanks @johnno101, yes it appears i have, i'm new to spending up on the points for flights, damn!

approx dates are 18 june sys-lax (76200 for premium reward, still available, no business though)

4th aug lax- lhr
(this is the one i am not sure who to go with, I just checked VA site and apparently i can earn on either VAtlantic or VAmerica?)

2nd of sept LHR -LAX, LAX- SYD (around 66300, again for premium economy)


In general, I know its not going to give me the dollar value per point as business, but there doesn't seem to be business left when i need to fly :/ Is that rate pretty good for premium economy?

And in terms of the next leg- LAX to LHR, is there anyone you would recommend over the other? t

 

[Denali]

am I right in understanding some trips purchased on points earn status still?

Reward seats do not get points or status credits.

If you buy a Y or Y+ seat and use points to upgrade, you will get status credits and points on the original ticket purchased.

 

[mooingchicken]

If you buy a Y or Y+ seat and use points to upgrade, you will get status credits and points on the original ticket purchased.

But be aware you can only upgrade if you are flying VA metal though, no partner/codeshare.

Upgrades come out of the reward availability, so if they are all gone already (sounds like they are) you wont be able to use upgrades either. unless they release more

 

[broombroom]

thanks all, looks like i've left it quite late. Okay, looks like i'm gong to go non-status earning premium economy on the SYD LAX return leg,

and looks like i'll have to buy a ticket for the LAX-LHR return leg.

does anyone have any advice on preference over whether i fly delta or Virgin atlantic? it sounds like that i'd get lounge access with both...

 

[jneufeld]

and looks like i'll have to buy a ticket for the LAX-LHR return leg.

I would recommend calling up and checking partner award availability on DL and VS before you right this off as an option.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

I would recommend calling up and checking partner award availability on DL and VS before you right this off as an option.

Also check *A to see if it's worth transferring to Krisflyer.

 

[theevilmuppet]

am I right in understanding some trips purchased on points earn status still?

Any Seat redemptions do earn Velocity Points and Status Credits and are not subject to the same availability constraints as Reward redemptions.

That said, the cost is significant. For example, a J Reward seat will cost you just under 80,000 Velocity points from SYD, BNE or MEL to LAX (plus taxes). To redeem a non-Reward seat in J will cost you anywhere between 550,000 and 980,000 (!!) Velocity points.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

For example, a J Reward seat will cost you just under 80,000 Velocity points from SYD, BNE or MEL to LAX (plus taxes). To redeem a non-Reward seat in J will cost you anywhere between 550,000 and 980,000 (!!) Velocity points.

Just a small note, under the currrent promo of 15% discount J reward seat would be 79900 points but normal pricing it is 94000 points + taxes