How to Redeem Your SkyMiles on Virgin Australia Business Class
Jul 6, 2015, 10:20 pm
#391
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
Christmas/New Year?!!? Here in SWP, any awards at that time of year, if they actually were available, are snapped up 11 months out.
I would suggest there is very little chance of any more becoming available over the next months.
There may be availability at ~328 days - but you need to be looking in January for December.
For example, on February 6th I booked Business (Using VA points) on VA from LAX to BNE for Dec 31 - that was the first it became available.
As I type I can only book up to May 30th.
I would suggest there is very little chance of any more becoming available over the next months.
There may be availability at ~328 days - but you need to be looking in January for December.
For example, on February 6th I booked Business (Using VA points) on VA from LAX to BNE for Dec 31 - that was the first it became available.
As I type I can only book up to May 30th.
Last edited by serfty; Jul 6, 2015 at 10:32 pm
Jul 7, 2015, 7:24 am
#393
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
Jul 7, 2015, 8:05 am
#394
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Christmas/New Year?!!? Here in SWP, any awards at that time of year, if they actually were available, are snapped up 11 months out.
I would suggest there is very little chance of any more becoming available over the next months.
There may be availability at ~328 days - but you need to be looking in January for December.
For example, on February 6th I booked Business (Using VA points) on VA from LAX to BNE for Dec 31 - that was the first it became available.
As I type I can only book up to May 30th.
I would suggest there is very little chance of any more becoming available over the next months.
There may be availability at ~328 days - but you need to be looking in January for December.
For example, on February 6th I booked Business (Using VA points) on VA from LAX to BNE for Dec 31 - that was the first it became available.
As I type I can only book up to May 30th.
I don't particularly mind paying $576 in taxes for two people to get to AUS and back in J. Seems like a solid deal.
Jul 7, 2015, 9:54 am
#395
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
well done! ^^
(except for the fact that, per a literal interpretation your last sentence, you're going to Austin and back)
(except for the fact that, per a literal interpretation your last sentence, you're going to Austin and back)
Jul 7, 2015, 9:55 am
#396
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: ATL
Programs: DL
Posts: 47
J. YQ surchage. China Eastern to PVG (6 across in pairs) then Delta 777 to US.
They did have LAX > SYD direct on 12/18 but it didn't last very long. Added a lot have been showing up but unable to book via Delta.dumb / agent.
Personally I'm hopeful something comes up between xmas and NYE - the LAX to ATL prices around NYE are just stupid already.
Personally I'm hopeful something comes up between xmas and NYE - the LAX to ATL prices around NYE are just stupid already.
Last edited by No Smoking; Jul 7, 2015 at 10:02 am
Jul 7, 2015, 10:51 am
#397
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Couldn't have done it without FT!Now comes the part where I convince her that a week is enough time down under, and that we can potentially extend the trip if something else comes available later in that first week of 2016.
Jul 7, 2015, 4:28 pm
#398
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
To redeem LAX-SYD-LAX flights in Business using Velocity (VA FF) points costs 188000 points and around $155 (up to $30 more if connecting at BNE outbound and/or the return).
So at most, that's $370 for two PAX.
Last edited by serfty; Jul 7, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Jul 7, 2015, 10:47 pm
#399
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
The flights available to me with DL miles route through PVG on the return, using MU and DL metal. I assume that the taxes through China are different.
Aug 18, 2015, 2:43 pm
#400
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,055
What's the latest on booking award tickets from LAX-SYD in Business class using Delta miles?
I have a friends who has a pile (million) of miles and wants to fly with his girlfriend..I am looking into it for him.
Should the rate be 160,000k miles?
Can you still search VA on delta.com? I searched for JAN/FEB but not seeing VA at all..just DL direct for 250-350+K miles...and China Southern via Goungzhou (sp?) at 160k
I have a friends who has a pile (million) of miles and wants to fly with his girlfriend..I am looking into it for him.
Should the rate be 160,000k miles?
Can you still search VA on delta.com? I searched for JAN/FEB but not seeing VA at all..just DL direct for 250-350+K miles...and China Southern via Goungzhou (sp?) at 160k
Aug 18, 2015, 8:29 pm
#401
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,994
Your only problem is Jan/Feb is tough to find availability
Oct 10, 2015, 6:24 pm
#402
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
What's the latest on booking award tickets from LAX-SYD in Business class using Delta miles?
I have a friends who has a pile (million) of miles and wants to fly with his girlfriend..I am looking into it for him.
Should the rate be 160,000k miles?
Can you still search VA on delta.com? I searched for JAN/FEB but not seeing VA at all..just DL direct for 250-350+K miles...and China Southern via Goungzhou (sp?) at 160k
I have a friends who has a pile (million) of miles and wants to fly with his girlfriend..I am looking into it for him.
Should the rate be 160,000k miles?
Can you still search VA on delta.com? I searched for JAN/FEB but not seeing VA at all..just DL direct for 250-350+K miles...and China Southern via Goungzhou (sp?) at 160k
Nov 2, 2015, 4:25 pm
#404
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
Has anyone had any luck recently finding award availability on nonstop LAX-SYD flights on Virgin Australia? All of the nonstops that appear in the online search are on Delta and cost 175k miles for a one-way business class seat. About a month ago, I was able to find seats on VA for 80k one-way.
(FYI, I'm looking for next November, which isn't available yet…so for now I'm searching in September since that's the latest available, just to see what my options are.)
(FYI, I'm looking for next November, which isn't available yet…so for now I'm searching in September since that's the latest available, just to see what my options are.)
Nov 2, 2015, 4:45 pm
#405
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
September availability isn't going to be indicative of November availability. IMHO you're wasting your time with searches before the booking window opens, feeding anxiety instead of finding bookable awards on your desired dates.