can i "reserve" award tickets whilst waiting for bank transfer?

[mumof2sydney]

Hi- wanting to lock in some award tickets (long haul syd-lax) but delay in getting the points into my account ...is it possible to "reserve them" for a limited time whilst this happens??

Thanks!

 

[Lizzi]

I asked this last time I was booking a rewards flight and they said no. You can always ring and ask though

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Hi mumof2sydney, are you waiting on Points from a flight with Virgin Australia or one of our partner airlines? Also, how long has it been since you travelled?

 

[zainman]

Hi mumof2sydney, are you waiting on Points from a flight with Virgin Australia or one of our partner airlines? Also, how long has it been since you travelled?

Err... I believe the question the OP is asking is if they can put award/reward seats on 'hold' while they wait for Velocity points to be transferred over from a credit card account...

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Hi Zainman, if the member is waiting on credit card Points, I won't be able to assist unfortunately. However, if she's waiting on Points from a VA flight, I may be able to speed things up so she can secure that Reward Seat. I hope that clarifies things.

 

[zainman]

Hi Zainman, if the member is waiting on credit card Points, I won't be able to assist unfortunately. However, if she's waiting on Points from a VA flight, I may be able to speed things up so she can secure that Reward Seat. I hope that clarifies things.

I don't think they are asking Velocity to speed up the transfer but rather if 'holding' an award reservation is possible or not. Is it possible?

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

If the member has travelled with VA, I can organise for the Points to be credited straight away so she can book. If she's waiting for credit card Points, I won't be able to hold a seat for her. I hope that helps explain my line of questioning.

 

[williamsf1]

From My experience, points from a credit card transfer are normally in My velocity account within 48Hrs


What CC company is the OP asking about ?

 

[zainman]

If the member has travelled with VA, I can organise for the Points to be credited straight away so she can book. If she's waiting for credit card Points, I won't be able to hold a seat for her. I hope that helps explain my line of questioning.

No where in the title or the content has she mentioned actually taking a flight with VA and waiting on points to be credited for that.

The title of the thread is: [h=2]can i "reserve" award tickets whilst waiting for bank transfer?[/h]
Bank transfer most likely mean CC points but we'll just wait for the OP to clarify things shall we?

Glad you could help explain that holding an award seat with Velocity isn't possible. Would be great if this was actually possible though as some airlines do allow it and even QF in some situations allows members to hold award reservations.

 

[Bolthead]

......Would be great if this was actually possible though as some airlines do allow it and even QF in some situations allows members to hold award reservations.

I have to disagree. The last thing I need is everyone making bookings for flights that they may not use. This would make it more difficult for people that have the points looking up flights etc... effectively taking these seats off the market. Most people know that when trying to get an award flight you usually have to act quickly. I think the points have to be in your account before making the booking.

 

[mumof2sydney]

hi all- sorry for delay in response- for some reason wasnt given an email alert. the wait is from credit card (citibank) to VA - citibank are VERY slow- can take 5-7 days to get points across- by which time often seats are gone. It would be graet if VA offered a short hold (say 3-4 working days) - at least that minimises the chance of losing the seats. The seats could automatically be released if points havent come across... In response to above poster- this would stop anyone abusing the system. The benefit of some credit cards is that I can tf points to multiple airlines - so dont want to transfer in advance- and | am talking about a LOT of points - 500 000 of them in fact. Big risk to take if the seats are then gone 2 days later...

 

[Bolthead]

....The seats could automatically be released if points havent come across... In response to above poster- this would stop anyone abusing the system. The benefit of some credit cards is that I can tf points to multiple airlines - so dont want to transfer in advance- and | am talking about a LOT of points - 500 000 of them in fact. Big risk to take if the seats are then gone 2 days later...

Again I disagree. This would open it up for people to abuse the system...

for e.g. I could make a reward booking everyday for 5 days in a row (assuming the seats and flights are available) Put all flights on hold and then it buys me 3-4 days (as per your example) to choose which booking you like. Because there is no guarantee when your points are going to appear in your account you effectively are holding up all those bookings which should be available to everyone. I believe you should take the risk with the points as it was your decision in the first place to run with method of point collection. It's hard enough as it is trying to get reward flights at times with the system they have in place now. There is not only credit card points. We use family point transfer often and effectively I could make the bookings at my leisure and this gives the family member 3-4 days to transfer there points. Again I think that is unfair.

 

[zainman]

I have to disagree. The last thing I need is everyone making bookings for flights that they may not use. This would make it more difficult for people that have the points looking up flights etc... effectively taking these seats off the market. Most people know that when trying to get an award flight you usually have to act quickly. I think the points have to be in your account before making the booking.

24 hour hold period won't do much harm. The seats go back into the inventory after the other person has cancelled their 'hold'. It works for other airlines, and it's a great benefit!

 

[Bolthead]

24 hour hold period won't do much harm. The seats go back into the inventory after the other person has cancelled their 'hold'. It works for other airlines, and it's a great benefit!

I am open minded... I guess a trial wouldn't hurt