Best options for VA plat to Frankfurt

[PlutekPlutek]

Hi
I have a work trip coming up to Frankfurt. I am a VA plat and QF gold.
What are everyone's views on best options to fly there trying to maximise status as well as regular points, lounge access, upgrade options - work only pays for economy. Most likely in mid may for about 3-4 days.
I've flown to AUH last year with VA and upgraded to business using points, but it seems they don't operate those flights due now.
I have also flown SQ on a VA code share in economy but was peeved off for not being able to pre allocate seats.
I have no hope of retaining QF gold as it expires at the end of may and I have 50 points - but have plenty of time to retain VA plat. With VA is there any advantage to getting a VA code share in EY or just an EY ticket? I notice the is about a 50% premium for VA code share.

Cheers
Lp

 

[RooFlyer]

Here's someone else with a similar situation, and some suggestions, which may help here.

 

[clarkkent]

SQ on an SQ ticket allows you to choose seats, and will probably earn SCs at the flexi rate if you're booking for next month (check the fare class). Not sure about upgrade options though.

 

[Ausbt]

Your work is only prepared to pay for Economy but sends you to Frankfurt for 3-4 days? I'm slightly surprised they wouldn't want you more rested and thus effective for that time. Mind you my own firm only pays for Y (although I can usually swing PE) but we also often enforce a 3 week minimum on-the-ground so our people can at least have some time to recover from lag.

 

[grubbidok]

Your work is only prepared to pay for Economy but sends you to Frankfurt for 3-4 days? I'm slightly surprised they wouldn't want you more rested and thus effective for that time. Mind you my own firm only pays for Y (although I can usually swing PE) but we also often enforce a 3 week minimum on-the-ground so our people can at least have some time to recover from lag.

I have two Euro 3-4 day trips (also in Y - work in academia so no J or even Y+ allowed even under tight turnaround) coming up in next two months. I usually go SQ as the flight experience is better than EY. The EY lounge is immensely nicer as WP than probably anywhere else on VA's network. But at the risk of being kicked out of AFF, layover lounges aren't a biggie for me (more important before flight) as it's only a brief sojourn and Changi is not a bad place to hang out (and you get SGD40 in vouchers flying SQ!).

The main reason I go SQ is because SQ credits at full economy status credits rather than discount economy for the same level of flights that EY or VA codeshare offer (and the uni will pay for). You should get at least 280 SCs on SQ - compared to 140 on EY or VA.

However, SQ doesn't do the WP bonus points and EY (50%) and VA (100%) do, so if points are more important to you than SCs they're probably a better bet.

 

[Ausbt]

Wow, yes I suppose there are lots that do these short turnarounds (hey and let's face it, I would too just for the points and SCs) but ouch that's pretty brutal. Anyway your SQ SC logic seems sound no doubt keeping you at WP. I too enjoy the EY lounge.

 

[TomVexille]

I have two Euro 3-4 day trips (also in Y - work in academia so no J or even Y+ allowed even under tight turnaround) coming up in next two months. I usually go SQ as the flight experience is better than EY. The EY lounge is immensely nicer as WP than probably anywhere else on VA's network. But at the risk of being kicked out of AFF, layover lounges aren't a biggie for me (more important before flight) as it's only a brief sojourn and Changi is not a bad place to hang out (and you get SGD40 in vouchers flying SQ!).
....

I don't think you're wrong there. On a Y trip to Europe you spend FAR more time onboard than in a lounge so I'd take the better seat/service.

 

[davidsilver]

When i'm booking VA codeshare on SQ, I use the SQ PNR and then login on the iphone app to allocate seat. SQ are notorious for holding seats, even when booking an SQ ticket I always seem to find only limited selection is available

 

[Bagpuss]

we also often enforce a 3 week minimum on-the-ground so our people can at least have some time to recover from lag.

Wow, any job openings? That's longer than my personal trips, let alone my work trips.

 

[Ausbt]

Wow, any job openings? That's longer than my personal trips, let alone my work trips.

It has positives and negatives, managing family life can be difficult. And I have multiple 'families' to manage! Over the past 10 years I've gone from overnight East-coast trips to 4 UK & 1 US trip in the past 15 months, all 3 weeks +. Accompanying family travel not possible due to their circumstances, so it's not for everyone. Personally I enjoy it of course, but I wouldn't be admitting that to many on the home front. "It's tough out here on the road darling." Anyway as many here would know, you have to be comformatable with your own company for extended periods.