advice needed from the pros
Aug 18, 2018 | 8:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Posts: 2
advice needed from the pros
Hello Flyertalk
I've been watching and reading lots and have recently utilised some of our Virgin Flying Club miles to do an upgrade to NY which I felt proud of (considering our inexperience)
Anyway, my wife is desperate to go to Tokyo as am I and I wanted some advice about the best way to find business class flights. In an ideal world we'd stop in Shanghai/Beijing for 3-4 days but the key thing is to try and get the flights for a reasonable price (most things seem to be 3300+). Currently we have circa 60,000 Avios and circa 70,000 Flying Club (Virgin) miles and can go anytime in February/March.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I've been watching and reading lots and have recently utilised some of our Virgin Flying Club miles to do an upgrade to NY which I felt proud of (considering our inexperience)
Anyway, my wife is desperate to go to Tokyo as am I and I wanted some advice about the best way to find business class flights. In an ideal world we'd stop in Shanghai/Beijing for 3-4 days but the key thing is to try and get the flights for a reasonable price (most things seem to be 3300+). Currently we have circa 60,000 Avios and circa 70,000 Flying Club (Virgin) miles and can go anytime in February/March.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Aug 18, 2018 | 9:06 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Land of 10,000 Upgrades
Posts: 9,459
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/info...forum-684.html
or your post.
For example, do not post about
One Specific Airline or Program
Credit Cards
Finding Fare
or your post.
For example, do not post about
One Specific Airline or Program
Credit Cards
Finding Fare
Aug 19, 2018 | 11:55 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
A couple general things before you go hunt down the threads that have the best discussions on redeeming miles for your situation. I'm mostly familiar with Delta Skyteam rules, so bear that in mind.
Mileage tickets can often be gotten for one-way. This lets one book the uglier flight in a better class. For a US-Europe trip, those lie-flat seats are wonderful for the overnight there, but not so critical for the daytime return.
You don't say your origin point (s). So I'm unsure here, but I do know that the points/miles you cite aren't near enough for two people to get a business class return US-Tokyo.
Mileage tickets are put out a little bit less than one year in the future. You've got a chance out 5-6 months, but don't waste any time going to work on it. I once spent almost a month checking early each day out that full range (330 days in my case) until I scored a MSP-VIE mileage ticket. Even if you don't see anything right now, keep looking. Airlines can (and do) put out more every once in a while. For that matter, sometimes the very last few days can be surprisingly good. I don't have it (I keep meaning to), but people here strongly recommend Expert Flyer for getting mileage tickets.
Some airlines let one put mileage tickets on hold for several days. Some only have the 24 hour cancellation deal.
Some airlines let one book a specific ticket, but then make changes if a better routing/date/schedule comes along. Some don't.
My real point is you need to learn the specifics of the rules for your points/miles.
Good luck, and welcome to FlyerTalk. This site has saved me tons of money, gotten me lots better deals than I could have done on my own, and given me some amazing ideas for the next trip.
Mileage tickets can often be gotten for one-way. This lets one book the uglier flight in a better class. For a US-Europe trip, those lie-flat seats are wonderful for the overnight there, but not so critical for the daytime return.
You don't say your origin point (s). So I'm unsure here, but I do know that the points/miles you cite aren't near enough for two people to get a business class return US-Tokyo.
Mileage tickets are put out a little bit less than one year in the future. You've got a chance out 5-6 months, but don't waste any time going to work on it. I once spent almost a month checking early each day out that full range (330 days in my case) until I scored a MSP-VIE mileage ticket. Even if you don't see anything right now, keep looking. Airlines can (and do) put out more every once in a while. For that matter, sometimes the very last few days can be surprisingly good. I don't have it (I keep meaning to), but people here strongly recommend Expert Flyer for getting mileage tickets.
Some airlines let one put mileage tickets on hold for several days. Some only have the 24 hour cancellation deal.
Some airlines let one book a specific ticket, but then make changes if a better routing/date/schedule comes along. Some don't.
My real point is you need to learn the specifics of the rules for your points/miles.
Good luck, and welcome to FlyerTalk. This site has saved me tons of money, gotten me lots better deals than I could have done on my own, and given me some amazing ideas for the next trip.