Virgin Atlantic (VS) Flying Club points redemptions on ANA (NH) - Master thread
Oct 27, 2022, 6:43 am
#121
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
Here’s one that doesn’t get discussed much in this forum, but may do more so with the proper re-opening:
Domestic Japan flights, in economy class.
These book in to ‘X’ class, using VS points.
I’ve booked one and afterwards thought I’d better check the checked baggage allowance, but 1 piece would be fine…
Obviously nothing useful on the virgin confirmation email, or the attached pdf documents (which relate to VS flights).
Next up, check Saudia ‘manage my booking’, using the e-ticket number. This has always been accurate for international flights in J & F in the past.
What does it say? ‘0 pieces’.
I call VS. 2 agents give me 2 different answers. One thinks I should get 1 bag, 23kg allowance. The other says their information on partner flights says ‘checked baggage may not be included’.
So, I called NH direct. Reached a US-based agent.
His first response was ‘yes I can see zero pieces’. Then he went to check. Then he came back and said I should get x1 piece, up to 203cm dimensions and up to 20kg weight.
Then I told him about the Saudia website stating zero.
He asked which carrier I arrived in to Japan with (I’m already here) - I said it was NH, on an obviously completely separate ticket.
He went away, came back about 10 mins later and said he’d added that information in to my economy booking for this domestic flight… so that it ‘should be fine’ and ‘international baggage rules will apply’.
Now, I get it, that’s the case if you have an economy domestic segment of tagged on to an international flight on the same ticket.
But, what gives?? Has anyone flown domestic using VS points (in a standalone ticket) and can comment on the baggage allowance?
I would prefer to use my VS points for this and 2 more domestic flights, but if there’s no baggage allowance I’ll have to look at using Avios instead - the cash fares I’m looking for are very expensive, even in economy.
Thanks
Domestic Japan flights, in economy class.
These book in to ‘X’ class, using VS points.
I’ve booked one and afterwards thought I’d better check the checked baggage allowance, but 1 piece would be fine…
Obviously nothing useful on the virgin confirmation email, or the attached pdf documents (which relate to VS flights).
Next up, check Saudia ‘manage my booking’, using the e-ticket number. This has always been accurate for international flights in J & F in the past.
What does it say? ‘0 pieces’.
I call VS. 2 agents give me 2 different answers. One thinks I should get 1 bag, 23kg allowance. The other says their information on partner flights says ‘checked baggage may not be included’.
So, I called NH direct. Reached a US-based agent.
His first response was ‘yes I can see zero pieces’. Then he went to check. Then he came back and said I should get x1 piece, up to 203cm dimensions and up to 20kg weight.
Then I told him about the Saudia website stating zero.
He asked which carrier I arrived in to Japan with (I’m already here) - I said it was NH, on an obviously completely separate ticket.
He went away, came back about 10 mins later and said he’d added that information in to my economy booking for this domestic flight… so that it ‘should be fine’ and ‘international baggage rules will apply’.
Now, I get it, that’s the case if you have an economy domestic segment of tagged on to an international flight on the same ticket.
But, what gives?? Has anyone flown domestic using VS points (in a standalone ticket) and can comment on the baggage allowance?
I would prefer to use my VS points for this and 2 more domestic flights, but if there’s no baggage allowance I’ll have to look at using Avios instead - the cash fares I’m looking for are very expensive, even in economy.
Thanks
Only checked one bag, but fairly sure the international F allowance would have applied.
Overall seemed to be treated like an F rev booking... Suite Lounge at ITM, limo terminal transfer at HND (back when this was operating!), etc.
etc.
Nov 2, 2022, 8:55 am
#123
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 8
Nov 2, 2022, 9:00 am
#124
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 21
Nov 2, 2022, 9:03 am
#125
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 941
Pretty sure this was mentioned up thread, I remember saying something about it too.
No holds on rewards is my experience now with VS in the last 12/18 months.
Weirdly, I had an agent tell me they couldn’t ticket an air NZ redemption for 3-5 working days, but that they have held it…. So who knows!
No holds on rewards is my experience now with VS in the last 12/18 months.
Weirdly, I had an agent tell me they couldn’t ticket an air NZ redemption for 3-5 working days, but that they have held it…. So who knows!
Nov 2, 2022, 1:02 pm
#126
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: SEA
Posts: 11
maybe an obvious answer, but never having tried to book ana flight via VS, but would i be able to book multiple tickets (myself, spouse, kids) with just my VS account? or would my spouse need her own VS account? I also have ANA frequent flyer number, (does that even come into play) and would spouse need one as well?
Nov 3, 2022, 9:59 am
#127
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Socal
Programs: UA Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Amex Plat, CSR
Posts: 207
maybe an obvious answer, but never having tried to book ana flight via VS, but would i be able to book multiple tickets (myself, spouse, kids) with just my VS account? or would my spouse need her own VS account? I also have ANA frequent flyer number, (does that even come into play) and would spouse need one as well?
Nov 4, 2022, 11:19 pm
#130
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 183
I have a one way booked on United miles for 88k from HND-ORD for March 2023, is it worth to rebook using Chase points + bonus on Virgin? (although there is danger of it not being released back that quickly). I really need HKG-ORD which doesn't seem to be happening though and I think cancelling will be more difficult on Virgin I believe if I somehow find a last minute HKG-ORD?
Nov 5, 2022, 3:03 pm
#131
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: New York, USA / London, UK
Posts: 34
I have a one way booked on United miles for 88k from HND-ORD for March 2023, is it worth to rebook using Chase points + bonus on Virgin? (although there is danger of it not being released back that quickly). I really need HKG-ORD which doesn't seem to be happening though and I think cancelling will be more difficult on Virgin I believe if I somehow find a last minute HKG-ORD?
On a separate note, I just booked ORD-HND via Virgin a few days ago (departing in two weeks) and the fees were ~$470/pp for a one-way. Insane - so you may want to take the fees in account as well if booking via Virgin
Nov 5, 2022, 5:15 pm
#132
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 10
My points transfer has always been instant between Chase UR and VS. I had them wait on the phone while I did the transfer and it showed up a few seconds later in my account.
Nov 8, 2022, 1:23 pm
#133
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 106
So I want to book a flight ORD-HND-SYD on ANA. I see award availability, however, I understand Virgin will charge per segment, my question is, will I have to pay the fuel surcharge for the flight ORD-HND and then for the flight HND-SYD?
Because on ANA booking, direct flights to Tokyo has a high surcharge but when connecting to SYD the surcharge becomes reasonable. Does someone know how it works booking with Virgin?
Because on ANA booking, direct flights to Tokyo has a high surcharge but when connecting to SYD the surcharge becomes reasonable. Does someone know how it works booking with Virgin?
Nov 14, 2022, 7:05 am
#135
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,915
Just made F award booking NRT-ORD for next September. Found availability via EF, cross-checked with UA. After confirming award availability, the VS agent was nice enough to wait about a minute while I transferred the points from Chase UR. Taxes (mostly YQ) now a staggering $476 (up from $72 when I flew this route last year).
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek