Best options to the US using points, cash or discounted flight

[wallacej]

OK my educated comrades.

Here is the state of play.
I would like to take Mrs W to the US for a one week trip. The destination would be LAS, but for the purpose of this I am happy to try and keep it simple and get as far as LAX. Travel 14 Sept ex MEL, return 20 Sept

I hold platinum status with Virgin
I have around 180,000 points left
I have a Velocity Amex.

Ideally I would like to go in Business Class return, so let's work with that.

Is it best to:
1/ Buy premium seats and cross our arms and legs that an upgrade option is available 14 days out
2/ Buy 2 x discounted Business seats via Amex?
3/ Buy 2 x Saver Business Fares.

My little research indicates that option 3 might be the best, option 2 second, and if the Amex fares are using the Flexi Business bucket, then that would rate third, and also probably render that card useless for this type of activity.

Anyone been down this path before. How can I tell what aware seats would be available for an upgrade? I understand that the upgrades are released to plat first, so if I ma on the phone ASAP when the dates hit, I should be able to secure the upgrades?

I would like to make the trip nice in business class, we rarely travel together, and I would like these status and points to pay off.
Thanks

 

[bullerdude]

Since the 'Sabre' implementation, you can upgrade to Business when you book the tickets (i.e. 360 days out).

I can currently see 2x Reward/Upgrade J seats ex Mel out on the 12 September to return 19th September.

The way to tell is by searching for reward fares on the VA site as upgrade fares comes from the same 'fare bucket'.

 

[bullerdude]

Also, Flexi and PE Saver fares cost the same in points to upgrade to business - so it will me much cheaper to buy a return flexi (about 2800 on those dates)

 

[wallacej]

Thanks bullerdude. That makes sense and thanks for the intel on upgrading since sabre install, I was not aware that this could be done at the time of booking.

Also adds another nail to the coffin for my Amex Velocity Card!

 

[ATreeFiddy]

Rather than starting a new thread, hope you don't mind me tagging onto this. Looking to head from SYD to MCO (Orlando) via LAX in Sept using points to upgrade to Y+ (don't think i can stretch to J) on SYD -> LAX. Logical choice would appear to be VA1/2 but the connections in LAX with DL just don't seem to work as cleanly as say VA23/24 (MEL) or VA7/8 (BNE). Reason being it looks like there is only the one direct flight LAX -> MCO at 10am and VA1 just doesn't get in early enough. So the question is, is there any compelling reason (aircraft? service?) to go VA1/2 over VA23/24 or VA7/8? Also can VX connections be booked via VA? Only appear to have DL options on the website.

Thanks

 

[serfty]

FWIW, you can book LAX-MCO on DL in First class for USD510 direct (for 80 SC's) of via MSP for USD526 (140SC's) [return also for same price].

 

[wallacej]

FWIW, you can book LAX-MCO on DL in First class for USD510 direct (for 80 SC's) of via MSP for USD526 (140SC's) [return also for same price].

Last October I did similar. I did however have a couple of days in LA before hand, then took the red eye in First class direct LAX to MCO. Would I do it again... not if my intention is to sleep, the seats are not much chop.

Even any connecting flights to LAS via DL have poor connection arrangements at a reasonable price.

 

[Deewhy]

Rather than starting a new thread, hope you don't mind me tagging onto this. Looking to head from SYD to MCO (Orlando) via LAX in Sept using points to upgrade to Y+ (don't think i can stretch to J) on SYD -> LAX. Logical choice would appear to be VA1/2 but the connections in LAX with DL just don't seem to work as cleanly as say VA23/24 (MEL) or VA7/8 (BNE). Reason being it looks like there is only the one direct flight LAX -> MCO at 10am and VA1 just doesn't get in early enough. So the question is, is there any compelling reason (aircraft? service?) to go VA1/2 over VA23/24 or VA7/8? Also can VX connections be booked via VA? Only appear to have DL options on the website.

Thanks

VX can be booked via VA, but typically only show 6 months out. You can also call them to check.
Any VA aircraft coming from Aus to LAX would be the same or similar 777.

 

[Deewhy]

Thanks bullerdude. That makes sense and thanks for the intel on upgrading since sabre install, I was not aware that this could be done at the time of booking.

Also adds another nail to the coffin for my Amex Velocity Card!

I'd suggest you call them and ask about availability through the Plat call centre before assuming it'd be available.

 

[AdMEL]

Also, Flexi and PE Saver fares cost the same in points to upgrade to business - so it will me much cheaper to buy a return flexi (about 2800 on those dates)

Out of interest, how many points does this cost? I can't find any mention on Velocity website!

Also, I seem to recall international upgrades being available to Gold as well as Plat - is this correct? Again, I can't see any mention on the Velocity website.

EDIT: Just checked and the cost of Flexi and PE Saver are about the same (less than $100 difference)! In this case, which you choose and why? Or wouldn't it matter if upgrading?

 

[wallacej]

Out of interest, how many points does this cost? I can't find any mention on Velocity website!

Also, I seem to recall international upgrades being available to Gold as well as Plat - is this correct? Again, I can't see any mention on the Velocity website.

EDIT: Just checked and the cost of Flexi and PE Saver are about the same (less than $100 difference)! In this case, which you choose and why? Or wouldn't it matter if upgrading?

Good question. Hopefully someone knows, you could assume that it shouldn't matter as upgrading anyway so new rules would apply to the fare booking into.

Also Deewhy, I think to ensure the booking happens as I would like it to, it might be worthwhile doing it through the call centre, just in case

 

[notzac]

EDIT: Just checked and the cost of Flexi and PE Saver are about the same (less than $100 difference)! In this case, which you choose and why? Or wouldn't it matter if upgrading?

The only major issue I can think of is that if you buy Flexi then upgrade, you'll earn points / status credits at a lower rate (though this may not be important to you..?)

 

[wallacej]

The only major issue I can think of is that if you buy Flexi then upgrade, you'll earn points / status credits at a lower rate (though this may not be important to you..?)

Priority one is to get into Bus class as cheap as possible using any of the above options, and yes, wash my mouth out, earning points s/c is second tier

 

[AdMEL]

The only major issue I can think of is that if you buy Flexi then upgrade, you'll earn points / status credits at a lower rate (though this may not be important to you..?)

Good point! SC's would likely be important! However, I was working on the basis of the anecdotal evidence here that suggests that since the introduction of Sabre, SC's for upgrades to J have been posting at J levels, not Flexi levels (at least for domestic flights/upgrades). Given international flights are also on Sabre, I can't see any reason why this wouldn't be the case for international flights too. Would be interested to hear from someone that has done it.

In any event, I think I would be inclined to book as PE, so if it all goes pear shaped, you've at least got a PE seat and PE SC's/points.