Am I missing something?!?!? Virgin Reward seats for USA

[James White]

So both me and my Partner are Velocity Platinum, We have a trip booked to the USA in July next year, I booked freedom fares wanting to upgrade to either Business or Premium.
I called up about a month a go and was explained that the seats where not availible yet. So he sudjested every few days to jump on and see if i can book the flight out right with points, and when it comes up to call up to do it.

I have been looking quite alot and no luck as yet. But some reward seats have opened up on flights 10 days before and a few some days after when we plan to fly, none have come up for our dates.
Do they release dates randomly or is it systematic, should i just hold off and hope that the seats open up?
We booked the tickets under the double status credits so would like to keep the booking because of that, but there is no chance we actually will fly economy. I am too tall and just cant stand it.

 

[serfty]

Rewards are rare in business - some may appear 7 to 5 days out but there is no consistency.

 

[Dr Ralph]

'Virgin reward seats for the USA' - I'd like to see that!

 

[traceyy]

i have been very lucky i think, i went at christmas last year and in feb both on reward upgrades, hubby and i just got back both got rewards upgrades (always both ways) and im off to usa again in mid feb again reward upgrade, where i can i have booked flights where upgrades were available and those that were not i managed to be lucky enough to get the upgrade quite a bit before the flight as they came available. was just a matter of keeping an eye out and as soon as they show up to get on the phone...

 

[trippin_the_rift]

.....

I have been looking quite alot and no luck as yet. But some reward seats have opened up on flights 10 days before and a few some days after when we plan to fly, none have come up for our dates.
Do they release dates randomly or is it systematic, should i just hold off and hope that the seats open up?
.....

To clean up your statement...

Reward seats are 'award' seats - as in, there is no reward involved.

Seats allocated into award space are distressed inventory. That is - the airline doesn't believe they can sell those seats for cash.

That is why you won't notice X seats released every Y days. The methodology is - if seat won't sell - release cheaper inventory space. If the seats will sell - no award seats.

 

[jase05]

Don’t forget from July to September VA have reduced their flights to the US due to scheduled heavy maintenance on their 777’s

 

[James White]

we put ours selves down on the wait list, but I am thinking if cash allows it ill just buy a second set of tickets in premium, and if we get the upgrade we use the origional seats and cancel the premium, if not then we cancell the 1st set of tickets,

Lots of cash to outlay, but better than having to sit in economy

 

[traceyy]

wouldnt panic im sure you will get lucky its ages away

 

[odysseus]

I'm guessing it's July this year... as you can't book ~18 months out.

 

[James White]

wouldnt panic im sure you will get lucky its ages away

I do hope so, I have been lucky to fly Business a few times to LA and the Mrs never has. So this year im taking her to the UK and USA premium one way business the other was the plan.

 

[Inlander]

I got my rewards SYD- LAX for Early May 2019 at end of Jan 19- there were plenty on tuesdays

 

[maccaisking]

'Virgin reward seats for the USA' - I'd like to see that!

I’ll send you a photo! I am flying VA23 on Thursday. award seats were released Friday evening - I booked 2 - and then 2 more came up briefly on Saturday. We watched the seat map periodically to get a feel for how well tickets were selling, and were never concerned about getting them.

The trip home is harder (it’s almost full), we are planning to book flights via HKG and then book VA award seats from there when released.

 

[pauly7]

wouldnt panic im sure you will get lucky its ages away

I think this is pretty optimistic, I wouldn't be sure!

 

[harnetcd]

Didn’t think LONG HAUL international flights were eligible for this upgrade?

 

[serfty]

Didn’t think LONG HAUL international flights were eligible for this upgrade?

Only Gold and Platinum Velocity Members, booked in Freedom (Flexible Economy) or Premium Economy on Long Haul are eligible for points upgrades.

 

[tmck89]

I successfully bidded for an upgrade from Economy and got Business-albeit only one way- SYD-LAX for the lowest bid of $1500. I was Gold at the time so you would assume Platinum would have a greater chance of success.

 

[Harthagan]

Only Gold and Silver Velocity Members, booked in Freedom (Flexible Economy) or Premium Economy on Long Haul are eligible for points upgrades.

Gold and platinum?

 

[serfty]

Gold and platinum?

Yep ... thanks ... fixed ....

 

[jase05]

As I mentioned a few weeks back services to the US will be reduced for the 777’s to scheduled heavy maintenance.
With 4 less flights per week it will be even harder to score redemption seats or upgrades

Virgin Australia 3Q20 Los Angeles frequency changes

Virgin Australia in the 3rd quarter of 2020 is temporary reducing service to Los Angeles, reflected in the system in the last few weeks. Planned service adjustment as follows. Brisbane – Los Angeles...

www.routesonline.com

 

[ozstamps]

There is a sale on right now for fully confirmable Biz seats to LA for $A4800 all in RT.

Virgin Australia Business Class - North America | Flat Beds

Fly business class to the US with Virgin Australia and enjoy the award winning 'The Business' Book a discount airfare today.

www.flatbeds.com.au

How much were the Freedom Fares you are sweating on using lots of points to upgrade - maybe!