Best Reward program for regular SFO -> LON
 

Hi guys! I've just been majorly stung by VA. Realised I've accumulated ~500k points and that spending them is basically impossible.

I am a Brit living in the Bay Area, and I fly back every month or so on the SFO -> LON route. My girlfriend lives over here, and is between LA and NYC, hence why I thought Virgin would be a good choice, since I can fly Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America and share miles and 'rewards' :(

So my question is, what would be the best reward program to enroll in for my travel pattern, and best airline to move my business to from VA? Anyone have experience with these particular conditions?

Thanks you sages.

Do you realize that you can exchange these for Hilton points at a rate of 2HH points per VA mile? Seems like it'll be pretty easy to spend them this way. And if you don't want them, I'll take them :p

For this specific routing I'd do BA on the SFO -> LHR routes and AA SFO -> LA or LA -> NY, perhaps crediting all into AA if you like straightforward redemption approach inside the US.

But out of SFO AA is weak overall, so if you travel for business from the Bay Area you may need to look elsewhere.

Just be advised that redeeming on BA for a TATL in coach is rarely a good idea, as the fuel charges may well be $600 or more round trip, even if redeeming with AA miles. A business class or higher redemption is still a good value, but you're still going to be out of pocket some cash. If you redeem on AA, you won't pay fuel charges, but the availability isn't as good.

I would do United. Nonstops from all three cities to London and easiest redemption with no YQ fees. No brainer in my mind

+1. Another option is to take UA to LAX and then NZ's flight from LAX-LHR.

I think this works with VS, not VA.

+2. I was able to find United SaverPass (lowest redemption) award flights to watch the olympics next week. No other FF program had low level reward availability.

Although he refers to "VA," OP has accumulated VS (Virgin Atlantic) points, which do indeed transfer to Hilton at 2:1. I highly doubt that he's been making a bunch of RTs to London on Viasa (IATA code VA), not least since they've been out of business for 15 years.

I thought OP was referring to VX as VA and had accumulated miles domestically, which he now wants to use for Int'l, but your interpretation makes more sense.

But if OP did accumulate on VS, how is he only figuring out after obtaining 500k how to use them?

For your purposes, I would think that UA offers the best possibilities. But AA is also worth considering.