Mar 8, 2015, 2:10 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: geclub1

Flying Club Contact Info

USA +1 800 365 9500

SOUTH AFRICA +27 11 340 3535

HONG KONG +852 2532 6060 9 AM to 6 PM M-F 9 AM to 2 PM Sat

CHINA +86 21 5353 4600

INDIA +1-800-102-3000 ( Toll Free )
+91-124-4693030

CARIBBEAN +1 800 744 7477

Tips to Book Partner Awards:

Delta:

Check af.com for availability.

Virgin Australia:

One-way awards possible

(Master Thread) except ANA (NH) using VS points.

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Apr 6, 2016, 1:07 pm

#211

Guava

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2000

Posts: 16,093

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Betsy

Does anyone know how many miles I need to redeem NRT-EU in J or F using FC points?

I take it that its still for round trip only....

And my next question is ... who would be the most competent office to book this?

95K for J, 120K for F roundtrip given that NRT/HND to most European destinations is between 11001 and 14000 miles.

Just call the US or UK office.

Apr 6, 2016, 1:12 pm

#212

geclub1

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: SFO

Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;

Posts: 1,644

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guava

No the agent is wrong. If you read carefully this thread, this was already discussed not so long ago. Flying Club's website still shows the stopover rule:

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/zh_tw...bfSubmit1.x=26

What you quoted is the same as what I quoted:
A stopover in Japan breaks the award into two.

That makes the agent correct. Can you explain why you believe the agent was wrong. Or maybe can you elaborate what will be valid itin in OP's case and we can discuss further.

Also, let's agree that a stopover is defined as a layover of >24hours and a layover of <=24hours is defined as connection.

Apr 6, 2016, 1:50 pm

#213

Guava

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2000

Posts: 16,093

Quote:

Originally Posted by geclub1

My mistake, I misread the question as whether a connection of less than 24 hours will break the award into two. Now that I re-read the question, the member wants a greater than 24 hours stopover in NRT, that will definitely require 2 awards, my apologies for the confusion.

Some VS agents have been telling people, incorrectly, that they can't connect via Japan enroute to their final destination when in fact, they can, as long as they don't stay in Japan for more than 24 hours that is.

Apr 6, 2016, 2:41 pm

#214

cestmoi123

Join Date: Jul 2006

Location: NYC

Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec

Posts: 6,736

Quote:

Originally Posted by global_b

Now, I just need to test whether we get access to the Clubhouse at JFK. I assume yes as we're flying DL One from North America to the UK, but I guess I had always thought it was really for those on the LHR flights. I haven't seen any experience of anyone flying DL J to MAN and trying to access the Clubhouse but unless Scotland secedes in the next 5 months, I think we'll be ok!

You should be fine. The Delta site says access is for "Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge access is available at select locations to Delta One™ and Upper Class passengers and Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members with a same-day nonstop transatlantic flight between North America and the U.K. that is operated by Delta or Virgin Atlantic."

Edinburgh is definitely across the Atlantic.

Apr 6, 2016, 2:53 pm

#215

geclub1

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: SFO

Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;

Posts: 1,644

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guava

OK. Now we are on the same page.
To answer OP's question:
DEL-TYO-KIX-TYO-DEL
would be one award, if none of the connections at TYO (NRT and/or HND) is more than 24 hours.
If any of the connections at TYO is over 24 hours, it is a stopover and a stopover breaks the award into two.

Apr 7, 2016, 7:56 am

#216

vikasr

Join Date: Sep 2013

Posts: 217

Now the rule is clear to me.
The FC website i was looking at earlier did not specify the stopover rule.

Apr 7, 2016, 8:04 am

#217

Guy Betsy

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2000

Location: Little dot in Asia

Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP

Posts: 25,932

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guava

95K for J, 120K for F roundtrip given that NRT/HND to most European destinations is between 11001 and 14000 miles.

Just call the US or UK office.

Thank you. A very kind FT member had PM me the number required already. Still it is very kind of you to respond.

I will have exactly enough miles for a F roundtrip / open jaw award (to LHR, out of FRA to avoid the tax)

And no YQ/YR from Japan now either!

Apr 7, 2016, 8:11 am

#218

Guava

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2000

Posts: 16,093

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Betsy

Do let us know if you can open jaw an ANA award at destination, that is unclear from the rules.

Apr 13, 2016, 10:31 pm

#219

solstis69

Join Date: Jul 2013

Posts: 13

Does anyone have recent experience booking VX using VS for short routes? I called today for LAX-SFO was quoted for 7500 for Main Cabin (VS site says 10000 r/t) and 12500 for Main Cabin Select return (site says 15000 r/t). Is that table just outdated?

Also I think it's been noted earlier, but wild inconsistencies on what's available. Sometimes the cash cost is $59 o/w and call center will say no MC available, only MCS. On the same day, same route, there might be an $119 o/w and MC is available....

Apr 14, 2016, 5:40 am

#220

UKTraveller4Fun

Join Date: Nov 2008

Programs: SPG-Plat, Hilton-Diamond, Club Carlson-Silver, Cathay-Diamond, Virgin-Gold

Posts: 2,183

Malaysian First Class LHR-KUL

Hi

I just wondered if anyone had any success in booking this routing with Virgin? I believe it is in theory available but not sure if there is any good way to check if seat maybe available on a specific date?

Also I assume if we want to fly onwards to DPS then we would need to make a second booking and cannot all be done under one mileage cost?

Thanks

Apr 14, 2016, 11:21 am

#221

Guava

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2000

Posts: 16,093

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKTraveller4Fun

You can approximate availability using BA Avios. MH keeps some inventory for their own members, so if you use BA to verify availability online, then it should come very close. Mind you, MH First is very mediocre these days, and MH has absurdly high surcharges.

Apr 15, 2016, 12:26 am

#222

UKTraveller4Fun

Join Date: Nov 2008

Programs: SPG-Plat, Hilton-Diamond, Club Carlson-Silver, Cathay-Diamond, Virgin-Gold

Posts: 2,183

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guava

Thanks, I wasnt sure if BA system would likely be the same as they release to Virgin. I dont disagree in regards the MH First offering compared to how it was a couple of years ago but as a hard product it is pretty good to sleep and as the Singapore flights from London all feature on aircraft that they exclude from Virgin then seems a reasonable miles option in First to SE Asia!

Was the Virgin agent correct in that if I want to travel onwards to DPS I will need to book a seperate ticket and cannot be done on one ticket.

Apr 16, 2016, 4:01 pm

#223

Reikon

Join Date: Jan 2011

Posts: 230

Anyone know how far ahead you can book these? Is it limited by how far VS' schedule is loaded or can you book further ahead if the partner loads further out?

Apr 22, 2016, 3:27 pm

#224

ramraideruk

Join Date: Jan 2005

Posts: 1,123

In January 2016, I tried to book two sets of tickets for March. ANA from SEL-TYO and OSA-TPE. It was not possible to find seats in any class. I also tried to book Air China from Hong Kong to Chengdu. I was told that only flights from LHR-Beijing could be booked on Air China and that no bookings were currently being allowed for this route.

Apr 23, 2016, 3:21 pm

#225

Armodeen

Join Date: Jul 2014

Posts: 674

Success! Took me three calls and about 2 hours on the phone to get it, but eventually an agent was able to book me Perth - Christmas Island - Cocos (Keeling) Islands - Perth on Virgin Australia. Cost 55k miles plus around £55 in tax (one class service so Eco only).

It's a pricy route normally so am pretty pleased. What a faff though.