Originally Posted by CO 1E (Post 10297905)

VS does not codeshare the LHR-JNB flights with CO, as far as I know - it only codeshares flights to and from the US to and from LHR (and a couple to/from LGW). As we talked about earlier, you will only earn CO RDM's, and not EQM's, for your VS LHR-JNB-LHR flights (and you will earn such no matter where you book the flight, i.e., whether with VS or CO). And, you will not earn elite bonus RDM's on any of the VS flights, codeshare or not. It will be worth it, however, to fly Premium Economy rather than regular economy all the way to JNB.

Because, for purposes of CO EQM and RDM earning, it does not matter through whom you book the VS ticket, the best (re easiest) way to book this type of ticket (PE, US to JNB) is directly through VS. When you do so, just add your OnePass number to the reservation.

Originally Posted by Hartmann (Post 10297965)

I may be able to swing an extra day into my travel plans, so I may end up taking a flight where this lowly Silver can become a Gold ;)

If they do not let me take the extra day then I will take VS.

Originally Posted by Hartmann (Post 10297965)

I may be able to swing an extra day into my travel plans, so I may end up taking a flight where this lowly Silver can become a Gold ;)

If they do not let me take the extra day then I will take VS.

Originally Posted by ConciergeMike (Post 10298070)

...and you avoid the other festering pit, LHR.

Originally Posted by CO 1E (Post 10298016)

I can't believe that you would be willing to fly regular economy for 18 hours for a few thousand extra EQM's - just jump on one of the sub-$300 West Coast fares that are out right now if you need some extra EQM's before year-end (and, you still have four full months within which to make Gold).

Originally Posted by ConciergeMike (Post 10298070)

If the KL thing does work, IAH-AMS-JNB...and you avoid the other festering pit, LHR.

Originally Posted by Hartmann (Post 10298107)

Yeah, but then I am sitting on a 747 with a 3-4-3 arrangement. Yuck.

Originally Posted by Hartmann (Post 10298099)

There is no guarantee that my flying will be consistent over the next four months. I can get myself 18,000 EQMs on DL and do it for free.

I do like a good MR but a single West Coast trip is not going to seal the deal for Gold.

Originally Posted by sdm1130 (Post 10298087)

But you need to deal with what some may consider another festering pit - KL. ;)

Originally Posted by ConciergeMike (Post 10298186)

I am amazed by the idea that the little Delft house isn't the selling point in this conversation. :p

Originally Posted by CO 1E (Post 10298150)

Just book IAH-EWR-AMS on CO on a Y or H fare, or NW IAH-DTW/MSP-AMS-DTW-IAH on NW on a Y or B fare, then use KL for the AMS-JNB-AMS portion. You probably will have better luck with mileage upgrades on DTW/MSP-AMS or CO EWR-AMS, since oil companies purchase most of the J seats on the CO IAH-AMS flights.

Remember, though,that you cannot waitlist for NW or KL mileage upgrades when using CO miles - availability must exist at the time of booking, or you have to keep calling back. D is the bucket you need on both NW and KL. Even if space is not available at the time of booking, both NW and KL keep opening seats within a week of departure. You can even upgrade on the day of departure.

Originally Posted by ssullivan (Post 10297897)

It's been a few years since I've been on either of those flights, but, yes, on Sundays, they are PACKED in general, and a very significant number of the passengers are elites.