United Airlines new Virgin Australia/Velocity Partner

[Mr H]

Redacted - I was wrong.

 

[ols]

I'd recommend making your booking in Y now (assuming there is availability) and then copping the $60 cancellation fee to then pick up a J fare if it appears (generally at T-14 days or T-21). At least that way you're getting to SFO.

And if you are nice and or platinum they might waive it for you

 

[Mattg]

My point is that it isn't an option. You have to pay 6,000 points to cancel an award booking.

With Qantas yes, but can’t you pay money with Velocity?

 

[Mr H]

With Qantas yes, but can’t you pay money with Velocity?

Oops, I'm in the wrong thread, aren't I?

 

[Mattg]

Oops, I'm in the wrong thread, aren't I?

No worries, it can happen

 

[HNL808]

I'm planning a trip March / April 2025 for my family (4) and looking at ways to get to South Florida using my Velocity Points. I can see that there's generally good availability in Polaris two weeks out from departure from MEL to either LAX or SFO. Not ideal for long term planning but it doesn't look like there's any option to book further out, right?

QUESTION - how would you suggest getting to South Florida (FLL) - direct, polaris and day flight? Is that possible or should I start thinking about a stopover, and if so, where?
Thank you!

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

And if you are nice and or platinum they might waive it for you

Much as I've tried in the past, I believe you'd have more chance catching a flying pig. YMMV though.

I'm planning a trip March / April 2025 for my family (4) and looking at ways to get to South Florida using my Velocity Points. I can see that there's generally good availability in Polaris two weeks out from departure from MEL to either LAX or SFO. Not ideal for long term planning but it doesn't look like there's any option to book further out, right?

QUESTION - how would you suggest getting to South Florida (FLL) - direct, polaris and day flight? Is that possible or should I start thinking about a stopover, and if so, where?
Thank you

Direct on Polaris, not a chance. Whilst MEL-LAX or SFO will likely appear, I don't like your chances on the internal flights as well.

The only direct SFO-FLL is an 11pm service ex-SFO, so that's one helluva stopover in SFO. There's no LAX-FLL direct, however the connections off the transpac flight are much better (either IAH or DEN) and you could be in FLL by 6 p.m. local time the day you land Stateside.

Points for the transpac and cash for the US portion may be the way to go.

 

[Mr H]

I’d look at QR to MIA as an option.

 

[ols]

Much as I've tried in the past, I believe you'd have more chance catching a flying pig. YMMV though.

Well then I recently flew Pork Air
Cancelled a PER-DOH Y reward flight and changed it to five days earlier First reward.
She told me several times that it's normally $60 or 6,000 points but in this instance she was going to waive it
Must have been my lucky day

 

[Mr H]

Well then I recently flew Pork Air
Cancelled a PER-DOH Y reward flight and changed it to five days earlier First reward.
She told me several times that it's normally $60 or 6,000 points but in this instance she was going to waive it
Must have been my lucky day

Maybe you are telling us porkies?

 

[ols]

Maybe you are telling us porkies?

I beg your pardon.
I don't do that

 

[tm.smile]

I’ve also had the fee waived. Had a United ticket to the US booked. When I went to cancel, she mentioned there had been a schedule change (it was a 5min adjustment and I was notified weeks before) so she would waive the fee. It does seem like they’re quite lenient. I’m gold.

 

[Mr H]

I beg your pardon.
I don't do that

I was just riffing off the pig theme. I'm sure you are as honest as the day is long.

 

[ben95]

I'm planning a trip to US East Coast later this year, does anyone know what's the situation with VFF's access to UA transcontinental domestic flights?

Looking at a few dates there seems to be plenty UA J availbility from Australia(SYD/MEL/BNE) to SFO/LAX within 60 days via VFF but can't seem to find anything beyond connecting to US East Coast or Midwest either in Y or in J. There's a few dates seats.aero shows availability in Y for SFO/LAX-BOS routes but can't seem to book the same seats through Velocity. Searching direct on the VA website points me towards connection on AC via Canada but ideally I keep everything on a single ticket via one redemption all the way to East Coast.

 

[bernardblack]

I don't know if it's officially stated as a rule, or whether you can get such itineraries if you call the call centre, but in my experience Velocity won't offer mixed-class award itineraries online.

For the same reason, even if there's QR space (say) MEL-xDOH-DXB, you won't get it to price in a premium cabin, because DOH-DXB is marketed as "First" (even though it's equivalent to J and will book with a J itinerary on other programs like AAdvantage).

 

[djkelly69]

how would you suggest getting to South Florida (FLL)

UA also flys SYD<->IAH, but it is seasonal and finishes in late March so you may be able to just catch it there? Gets you closer to the east coast and a ~2.5hr flight in Y is a lot better than a ~5hr one IMHO if it comes to that.

 

[HNL808]

Which UA plane is better from Australia to the US?

777-300er vs 787-9?

 

[Mr H]

Which UA plane is better from Australia to the US?

777-300er vs 787-9?

777 because the passenger controls the windows

 

[henrus]

Which UA plane is better from Australia to the US?

777-300er vs 787-9?

Aside from the windows above there are also subtle differences in the seats.

In Business class the 777 seats are 3.9cm wider due to the wider cabin.
In Premium Economy the 787 seats are 1.2cm wider due to the lower density 2-3-2 config (777 is 2-4-2).
Finally in Economy the 787 seats are 0.6cm wider due to the lower density 3-3-3 config (777 is 3-4-3).

That being said row 30 ABC or JKL on the 777 (which is an Economy Plus seat at an extra row) has legroom that is best measured in meters and the aircraft in general has a lot more Economy Plus seats.

Finally there is the classic 787 selling points as it's quieter, has bigger windows and lower cabin elevation (which apparently helps on jetlag as higher humidity in the cabin).

 

[Mr H]

Finally there is the classic 787 selling points as it's quieter, has bigger windows and lower cabin elevation (which apparently helps on jetlag as higher humidity in the cabin).

Not much point in having bigger windows if you’re not allowed to look out of them.