Using velocity points. Need advice.

[Sarah K]

I need advice. We will have approximately 400,000 velocity points. We want to do these legs of travel with our family. 4 people total. MEL-Hawaii - Alaska. Then return LAX - MEL. We were planning on buying all of the tickets but using points for at least one upgrade to business. (Maybe LAX-MEL).Who has advice on this???
PS: I have never redeemed points before and travel is planned for Aug 2020, return Dec or Jan 2021.
Thanks

 

[Denali]

Are you VA Platinum or Gold? Unless it's changed, only SG or WP can upgrade on lax routes.

 

[Sarah K]

Are you VA Platinum or Gold? Unless it's changed, only SG or WP can upgrade on lax routes.

OK, sorry I don't know what SG it WP are but yes, I forgot to mention. I am Platinum

 

[odysseus]

With airline points, you can usually only upgrade on flights from the program carrier. In this case it is Virgin, so that would only be on the LAX-MEL leg as you suggested. The other legs aren't operated by Virgin Aust so couldn't be upgraded with Velocity points.

For that route, upgrades can only be requested by Gold/Platinum, as above, and also need to be Flex Economy or above i.e. Saver fares cannot be upgraded with points.

If you pass both those hurdles, you can then request upgrade by calling their call centre. Any seats available would be granted immediately but availability is rare on this route, unless some are released in the last few days. So it's not likely something you can count on, but just to see how you go.

 

[Dr Ralph]

My advice is to start reading!

You'll find extensive information on the AFF site about redeeming points for flights, including upgrading.

One of the first things you'll read about is the difficulty of booking flights to HNL, including upgrading.

Spend some time doing the research and planning. There are no short cuts.

 

[Buzzard]

OK, sorry I don't know what SG it WP are but yes, I forgot to mention. I am Platinum

In a jovial way, Scum Gold and Wanker Platinum.

 

[Sarah K]

With airline points, you can usually only upgrade on flights from the program carrier. In this case it is Virgin, so that would only be on the LAX-MEL leg as you suggested. The other legs aren't operated by Virgin Aust so couldn't be upgraded with Velocity points.

For that route, upgrades can only be requested by Gold/Platinum, as above, and also need to be Flex Economy or above i.e. Saver fares cannot be upgraded with points.

If you pass both those hurdles, you can then request upgrade by calling their call centre. Any seats available would be granted immediately but availability is rare on this route, unless some are released in the last few days. So it's not likely something you can count on, but just to see how you go.

Thank you for the time to respond. I'm such a newbie with lots of points and flexibility I am sure there is something I can get.

 

[rbjhan]

Velocity points can be used to redeem on Hawaiian airlines, just some ideas for you...
IIRC it is 65K one way from Brisbane in J, Hawaiian doesn't fly from Melbourne.

 

[get me outta here]

In the other thread, the OP says there are 4 of them travelling.