Book though velocity or KrisFlyer?

[Nathant123]

Hi guys,

I need to fly to South Africa in January for 4 nights and I’m planning on using some of the velocity points I’ve accumulated. I saw on the Virgin Australia page that I can use 136k points plus $111 in fees and taxes to go via MEL - SIN - JNB all Business. Alternatively if I shop for rates on the KrisFlyer page I come up with 78k KrisFlyer miles plus $100 fees and taxes. Even with the 1.35 velocity to KrisFlyer conversion it would appear I save around 30k points. I’ve never booked through KrisFlyer but all the options are on some sort of wait list. I’m guessing it’s because I have no status with them? I am velocity gold (soon to be platinum). How soon after booking do they confirm or decline a wait list ticket generally? While I can also see Etihad have flights, none are bookable through points.

 

[blacksultan]

Status has got nothing to do with waitlists as far as I know. Especially it is on waitlist you can call krisflyer and ask them to place you on waitlist while you are going to `earn` and transfer your points across. Hard to say how long they will take . off late my flights have been coming up for confirmation in a day in 2 or within the hour. at other times it has taken longer or not come through.
You can ask them to waitlist on more than one flight before you transfer your points across.

 

[Denali]

Status has got nothing to do with waitlists as far as I know. Especially it is on waitlist you can call krisflyer and ask them to place you on waitlist while you are going to `earn` and transfer your points across. Hard to say how long they will take . off late my flights have been coming up for confirmation in a day in 2 or within the hour. at other times it has taken longer or not come through.
You can ask them to waitlist on more than one flight before you transfer your points across.

What happens if your waitlist doesnt come through? Trip off, bookings lost ect? I cant plan like that - too much chaos.

 

[blacksultan]

What happens if your waitlist doesnt come through? Trip off, bookings lost ect? I cant plan like that - too much chaos.

since he has a few months he can wait for a few weeks on waitlist. Or can book via velocity if krisflyer comes through cancel move points across and book on SQ.

 

[andye]

Its a gamble being on the waitlist. Id personally take the 'bird in the hand'.
Others may be able to advise on the likelihood of a waitlist coming though
If you are in a position to hold both options, the VA cancellation penalty is less of a hit than 30k points (checked its 7500 points or $60)

 

[blacksultan]

Its a gamble being on the waitlist. Id personally take the 'bird in the hand'.
Others may be able to advise on the likelihood of a waitlist coming though
If you are in a position to hold both options, the VA cancellation penalty is less of a hit than 30k points (checked its 7500 points or $60)

Its likely the velocity option will book out soon though .

 

[ozstamps]

Wait lists are just that!

Book Hotels and safaris etc and find it never clears - what then?

 

[Nathant123]

Thanks for all the replies. I suppose booking directly through Virgin is the least stressful and safest bet. That way it will be guaranteed. Just found it a little strange that I would be able to secure a Business SQ seat through a third party instantly but not through them!

 

[blacksultan]

Thanks for all the replies. I suppose booking directly through Virgin is the least stressful and safest bet. That way it will be guaranteed. Just found it a little strange that I would be able to secure a Business SQ seat through a third party instantly but not through them!

thats because they have allocated quotas. u can still book on virgin, wait list on SQ and then cancel virgin if your waitlist came thru - thus saving you a few points.

 

[AIRwin]

I'm trying to use my Velocity points to redeem an SQ flight departing SIN but HKG doesn't seem to come up in the list of destinations... Is my option to transfer my Velocity points and book SIN-HKG through Krisflyer instead?

 

[williamsf1]

I'm trying to use my Velocity points to redeem an SQ flight departing SIN but HKG doesn't seem to come up in the list of destinations... Is my option to transfer my Velocity points and book SIN-HKG through Krisflyer instead?

Yes or if you want to stay in Velocity you need to call for that route (assume there are seats available)