5 x UC Reward seats LHR > JNB
Jul 16, 2013, 2:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 28
5 x UC Reward seats LHR > JNB
Planning a family holiday in 2014 and would like to book us all in UC outbound. How realistic is that I might get 5 UC reward seats? How many do they allocate? Am I being realistic? When the time comes will they be released at midnight? Any tips to secure them?
Jul 16, 2013, 2:56 pm
#2
Moderator, Virgin Atlantic
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Wow! 5 x UC reward seats on any route, save possibly NRT. is really pushing it. I would say that you would be VERY lucky to get more than two on the same flight, but then I am not overly familiar with the JNB route.
Reward seats can be released any time from the T-330 day mark. T VS used to release a fair few at this point, but recently the release of reward seats is far more unpredictable. I know from personal experience that sometimes when a reward seat is booked, another can be released the next day, but that is far from guaranteed.
As for time of day, again this is unpredictable.
Good luck with your quest, but in all honesty, I wouldn't be too optimistic of your chances of success.
Nick
Reward seats can be released any time from the T-330 day mark. T VS used to release a fair few at this point, but recently the release of reward seats is far more unpredictable. I know from personal experience that sometimes when a reward seat is booked, another can be released the next day, but that is far from guaranteed.
As for time of day, again this is unpredictable.
Good luck with your quest, but in all honesty, I wouldn't be too optimistic of your chances of success.
Nick
Jul 17, 2013, 2:45 am
#4
Join Date: May 2006
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Posts: 1,389
One plan is to see how many you can get in UC and PE - then constantly monitor UC to see if you can add more miles to upgrade the PE seats. It costs no more, and offers a back up plan. As Nick says, 5 redemptions in UC on any route on one booking is as rare as a hen's tooth.
Jul 17, 2013, 7:12 am
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Northern England
Posts: 1,543
5 x UC Reward seats LHR > JNB
from my experience, 4 seats appears to be the typical limit. You can off course play with dummy bookings to look for patterns. It also depends on the time if year that you are looking for.
Jul 17, 2013, 10:43 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2012
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5 x UC reward seats on any route, save possibly NRT. is really pushing it.
Jul 17, 2013, 1:45 pm
#9
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Nick
Jul 17, 2013, 5:17 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR
Programs: Centurion, VS Gold, EK Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Jumeirah Gold
Posts: 184
Fwiw, I.ve previously booked 7 x UC LHR to DEL in 2007 all on miles. Also booked 5 x UC GTW to LAS in 2011 all Y to G upgrades...which I think was a fluke.
In general, better chance on Aircraft with larger UC cabins. Not sure what they fly to JNB, but LAS only 14 seats so chances always less.
Edit: LGW, not GTW!
In general, better chance on Aircraft with larger UC cabins. Not sure what they fly to JNB, but LAS only 14 seats so chances always less.
Edit: LGW, not GTW!
Last edited by camille55; Jul 17, 2013 at 5:19 pm Reason: Error typing