Using Amex points to book GA flights

[Daver6]

Hi all,

Looking for wisdom from the crowd. Potentially looking to book GA flights between DPS and SOQ. Wondering if this is worth cashing in Amex points and splurge on J. GA being Skyteam I think I'd need to transfer from Amex to Virgin Atlantic.

I'm not familiar with Skyteam and even less so using points from alliance partners to book premium cabins. Am I crazy?

Is there a way to easily check what award availability would be like using Virgin Atlantic points on GA J? Is there a better path to burning the points for GA award seats?

 

[tassie6]

Easy to create a Virgin Atlantic account and you can then search easily what is available without having any points in there, it will also show taxes/charges.

One thing to keep in mind is that V atlantic (and I think most of Skyteam?) price reward tickets by sector and then add them up, so connections can be farely costly as they are effectively treated as booked separately in terms of cost.

Have used V Atlantic to book KLM flights before, did have some issues with tickets but it related to a childs tickets taxes, so may not be a worry for you

Their call centre is very good, can call a UK or US number and you get through to a UK based agent the two times I called (including at the airport when KLM wouldnt check us in!! Resolved quickly on their end)

I believe you can now redeem Avios via Qatar on Garuda but not sure it is on all routes? There was an article on it on here semi-recently from memory

 

[RealtimeY]

I had a brief look and availability seems ok. You can search just by signing up with them. Amex transfers to Virgin Atlantic are instant and can be used on partners (I've used it to book KE).

For comparison, for a flight of that length (1234 mi) on QF metal in J you'd be paying 41,500 QFF points.

One other point of comparison is that, at full price, you can actually buy 22,000 Virgin points for 345 GBP, which is less than what you'd pay outright for that GA flight. If they happen to be running a promo it may be even cheaper.

 

[zainman]

Can use QR Avios at very good rates too.

Careful with using Virgin Atlantic (if not redeeming for yourself) as there are reports they cancel tickets and accuse you of fraud etc.. check OMAAT/Google

 

[Daver6]

Can use QR Avios at very good rates too.

Careful with using Virgin Atlantic (if not redeeming for yourself) as there are reports they cancel tickets and accuse you of fraud etc.. check OMAAT/Google

It would be booking flights for myself and MrsDaver6. Does that fall into the category of concern?

 

[Daver6]

Can use QR Avios at very good rates too.

Careful with using Virgin Atlantic (if not redeeming for yourself) as there are reports they cancel tickets and accuse you of fraud etc.. check OMAAT/Google

Is it possible to check what QR would charge in J between DPS and SOQ without having the points and whether there is availability?

 

[zainman]

It would be booking flights for myself and MrsDaver6. Does that fall into the category of concern?

No I wouldn't think so

Is it possible to check what QR would charge in J between DPS and SOQ without having the points and whether there is availability?

seats.aero and even QR's own website should show you, yes.

 

[Mattg]

Is it possible to check what QR would charge in J between DPS and SOQ without having the points and whether there is availability?

Yes - I think you just need an account to search for seats (the account doesn't necessarily need to have Avios in it).

 

[Scarlett]

Off to Raja Ampat are you @Daver6?

(horrible flight time, but I guess the only direct option, for the less than 3 hr trip)

 

[Daver6]

Off to Raja Ampat are you @Daver6?

(horrible flight time, but I guess the only direct option, for the less than 3 hr trip)

Bingo!

Flights are indeed horrible. Terrible timings and not daily. There are other dodgy brother airlines but I refuse to fly them due to safety. I won't touch anything that's part of the Lion group.