Finding Velocity Frequent Flyer reward seats on partner airlines, such as Etihad, Delta, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America, has proven a struggle for one of our members. The member wants to use their Virgin points to fly to the USA and Europe. However, they have been finding that award availability on some partner airlines has been virtually non-existent and wonder if they are missing something.
I’ve never used my VA points for anything other than VA metal, but I’m plotting a trip to the USA and Europe in March and decided to try and burn some miles on partner flights.
Using KVS I’m checking for flights from numerous US ports (SFO/LAX/NYC/IAD/ORD/ATL) to LHR/FRA/AMS/CDG and can’t for the life of me find any Business availabilty on anything.
There are HEAPS of what delta call “High” or “Peak” awards, but no standard ones for a TATL flght in the first 15 days of March.
I know I’m leaving it a little late, just wondering if anybody had had much luck booking DL/VS flights and how far out you had to do it?
Virgin Australia only operate flights to the USA as far as Los Angeles, and passengers bound for Europe can only fly on a Virgin Australia aircraft as far as Abu Dhabi. In theory, partner airlines are there to fill the gaps but the lack of reward seats has been a cause for frustration.
Delta Airlines seems to be out of the question for Trans-Atlatic reward flights in business class due to a sheer lack of availability. However, Virgin Atlantic is able to fill the gap in this case. Upon further searching, some seats were found.
The problem of getting to Europe was solved with the discovery that some reward flights on Etihad weren’t appearing on Virgin’s website but were available to be booked through the call centre. In this case, the KVS Availability tool proved to be an invaluable resource, finding available flights where the Velocity website couldn’t.
It is pointed out that Virgin points can also be used to book flights on Star Alliance by transferring Velocity points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles. Using the Trans-Atlantic example, this means Velocity points can be used indirectly to book flights on the likes of Air Canada or United. One of our members had recent success using this method.
Haven’t had any luck with Delta, I was looking for some flights for Christmas in the US/Canada this year. I ended up transfering VA points to KF and booking Air Canada.
It is also noted Singapore Airlines operates its own tag flight from New York to Frankfurt, for which Velocity points can be redeemed.
Have you been able to use Velocity points to book seats on partner airlines or have you too found it a struggle? Add your thoughts or share some tips HERE.
