Velocity and a USA trip questions

[stevied71]

Hi All,

My better half and I are travelling to the USA this August. We booked on economy saver, is there any way to get upgrades (we have about 65k of points). I am a velocity gold member and the better half has red status. Should I be arranging family pooling? Is there anything I loose by doing this?

We're into and out of LAX on VA 1 and VA 2 respectively. I am pretty sure that we have lounge access at LAX, but not sure to which; Virgin, Star Alliance or a Delta lounge?

We arrive a 6am and don't check in until 2pm, is there an opportunity to use the lounge upon arrival in LAX?

We are also going to be travelling internally and I was hoping that there might be a way to maximise the benefit of my velocity membership on the following legs.

I read an old post saying that velocity members can benefit from discounted premium economy on Delta flights, I was wondering if that is still valid and if there are other things I should also be looking for.

1. LAX to SFO
2. SEA to CHI
3. CHI to NYC
4. NYC to MSY
5. MSY to SAN
6. SAN to LAX

Any tips, pointers, etc.to make the trip better would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[clipped_wings]

Hi Steve and a big welcome to you!

We are also travelling in August. Great time of the year to visit the States.

Here are my thoughts, but they're not necessarily the Golden Rule:
Definitely pool your wife's Status Credits and points to yourself. The benefits are too numerous to mention, but your points will skyrocket!
As SG, you can request an upgrade to Premium only (the next fare class up) with points, but only if there is Reward Seat availability on those VA flights.
If you want to upgrade with cash, then no problem - you ring the Gold Line and they'll upgrade you straight away.
You will have access to the Star Alliance Lounge at TBIT in LAX for VA2. For the inbound flight on VA1, I do not think you can access this Lounge after deplaning but others' here may have a better idea.
We are also flying numerous Delta domestic legs, make sure you either ring up Delta direct and add both your Velocity numbers to your booking. It's important to add both, so your wife can pool everything to you. Your Gold Status will also allow you check 24 hours before your flight, to request a complimentary upgrade to Y+ on flights where available. Download to Delta app for your phone and make sure to check your bookings 24 hours before. The upgrade icon should appear if it's available.

That's about all I know. Have a great holiday!

 

[clipped_wings]

PS: forgot to add: you also get Lounge access at many of the domestic airports. Click the Lounge links on your itinerary page at Delta.com and you can see where the lounges are.

I'll probably throw my 2 bobs worth in now and again, as I am so excited about our own trip and this forum is a wonderful place to share that excitement.

Cheers

 

[johnnyfive]

Also be aware you can only use points to upgrade from a flexi economy ticket. You're best bet might be to bid via plusgrade. https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Redeem/FlightUpgrades/upgrademe-points/

As for pooling it depends how far you are from requalifying and how far your better half is. It makes sense to get you both to Gold if you can as you both get bonus points on VA. At least that's been my strategy since I don't see many benefits from having one person make it to Plat and leaving the other at Red.

Also, you can gain access to the Star Alliance lounge in the TBIT if you have a boarding pass departing on that day. There is no arrival lounge for VA.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

As SG, you can request an upgrade to Premium only (the next fare class up) with points, but only if there is Reward Seat availability on those VA flights.

Not actually true. VA Gold ( and Platinum ) can upgrade to PE or J on points for long haul.

Flexi Y to PE is 18000 points one way

Flexi Y to J is 45000 points one way


You cannot upgrade on points from a Y saver fare

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Hi All,

My better half and I are travelling to the USA this August. We booked on economy saver, is there any way to get upgrades (we have about 65k of points). I am a velocity gold member and the better half has red status. Should I be arranging family pooling? Is there anything I loose by doing this?

We're into and out of LAX on VA 1 and VA 2 respectively. I am pretty sure that we have lounge access at LAX, but not sure to which; Virgin, Star Alliance or a Delta lounge?

We arrive a 6am and don't check in until 2pm, is there an opportunity to use the lounge upon arrival in LAX?

We are also going to be travelling internally and I was hoping that there might be a way to maximise the benefit of my velocity membership on the following legs.

I read an old post saying that velocity members can benefit from discounted premium economy on Delta flights, I was wondering if that is still valid and if there are other things I should also be looking for.

1. LAX to SFO
2. SEA to CHI
3. CHI to NYC
4. NYC to MSY
5. MSY to SAN
6. SAN to LAX

Any tips, pointers, etc.to make the trip better would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Steve.

Steve, with regard to status , you can consider pooling to yourself just enough to requalify as Gold then change and pool to your wife for some or all domestic flights. It will not take long to have both of you Gold if flying Delta as per above sectors in either Delta Comfort ( W ) class or First Class. ( you obviously still need to fly the eligible sectors on VA )

You can see the fare earning classes for Delta here https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Earn/StatusCredits/

Maybe spend a few hours looking at all your flights, the status earn for each flight and plan around that.

As mentioned earlier, VA use Star Alliance lounge in TBIT for your departure home. No arrival access though.

Further information on lounges, access and guests can be found here International Lounge Access | Virgin Australia

Enjoy your trip

 

[CJEMNMAC]

As for pooling it depends how far you are from requalifying and how far your better half is. It makes sense to get you both to Gold if you can as you both get bonus points on VA. At least that's been my strategy since I don't see many benefits from having one person make it to Plat and leaving the other at Red.

I should have read your post before commenting

 

[clipped_wings]

Not actually true. VA Gold ( and Platinum ) can upgrade to PE or J on points for long haul.

Flexi Y to PE is 18000 points one way
Flexi Y to J is 45000 points one way
You cannot upgrade on points from a Y saver fare

Yeah, I probably should have made that clearer, I meant say you can upgrade with cash to PE from a saver fare, as that's what we did last year. We also upgraded to J from PE with points this year, sorry for the mixup Steve. Thanks CJEMNMAC

But I will definitely stick with pooling, as I accompany my husband on our trips, and my points/SC have kept him floating nice and close to WP, so he can guest me in to all lounges, and his credit card is always used to churn the bonus points. But I guess it's each to their own.....

 

[stevied71]

Thanks for the info folks.

I have booked the Delta flights.

One question, I think I get one free checked luggage. Can anyone confirm?

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[Ausbt]

Be armed at all Delta lounges with your access rights (eg printed info from Virgin's page). The Delta people can be difficult. Plently of USD$1 notes will be needed at those lounges as well, if you plan on boozing. Also, 'basic' beers are no charge other than tip, but be ready to pay full price in the domestic lounges for Blue Moon beer, Grey Goose Vodka and other 'premium' drinks. Get ready for domestic Delta priority line confusion as they start calling out 'Zone 2 may board', 'Sky' may board. Very confusing. If your BP has 'Sky' written on it you are Sky Priority.

Great itinerary, BTW, looks like a fun trip.

 

[CPMaverick]

As for pooling it depends how far you are from requalifying and how far your better half is. It makes sense to get you both to Gold if you can as you both get bonus points on VA. At least that's been my strategy since I don't see many benefits from having one person make it to Plat and leaving the other at Red.

If you pooled until one had 1300 SC then you could gift gold to the other, right?

 

[CJEMNMAC]

If you pooled until one had 1300 SC then you could gift gold to the other, right?

Yes correct. Depending on the OP status balance and the fact that the SYD-LAX are a saver fare it may be easier for OP to requalify at 400 as Gold and his partner to get 500 and achieve Gold.

Preference would be 1300 and gift Gold and guarantee yourself a soft landing if needed.