Extra award availibility

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naggi

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Feb 6, 2007
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Could anyone tell me whether VA open up extra availibility for higher status members like QF does?
 
I'm platinum and this morning I've spent an hour trying to get 2 x J return to London next July and there's nothing. Disappointing.
 
Melbourne, but happy to route through other gateways.
 
I'm platinum and this morning I've spent an hour trying to get 2 x J return to London next July and there's nothing. Disappointing.

Were you searching online or did you call? VA's online award availability on partner carriers is .. not great, to say the least. Search on the Etihad website for awards (Book flights with Etihad Guest Miles) - there appears to be plenty of availability for 2 x J seats MEL-LHR return next July - it seems that whatever Etihad make available, VA can access (but they have to book it manually, which means a phone call).
 
Could anyone tell me whether VA open up extra availibility for higher status members like QF does?

You didn't actually say anything about which class or which carrier. That might help.

VA do have a platinum guarantee if you book 6 months out but it's only valid for Y.
 
Cool. Many thanks for that. My plans have been pushed back to August '15, but I will try some dummy bookings now.
 
Were you searching online or did you call? VA's online award availability on partner carriers is .. not great, to say the least. Search on the Etihad website for awards (Book flights with Etihad Guest Miles) - there appears to be plenty of availability for 2 x J seats MEL-LHR return next July - it seems that whatever Etihad make available, VA can access (but they have to book it manually, which means a phone call).

Is this true for real or an educated assumption? Just thinking I will transfer some credit card points, but only if seats can be obtained and the velocity site has gone VERY stingy on AUS - EUROPE J
 
Is this true for real or an educated assumption? Just thinking I will transfer some credit card points, but only if seats can be obtained and the velocity site has gone VERY stingy on AUS - EUROPE J

there are a number of threads on here to confirm the above. members were able to get seats on EY by calling when the codeshare VA flights were not showing online. Also as suggested checking the EY site can show seats availability
 
Is this true for real or an educated assumption? Just thinking I will transfer some credit card points, but only if seats can be obtained and the velocity site has gone VERY stingy on AUS - EUROPE J

You should be able to call VA to confirm availability prior to transferring the points (which is probably not a terrible idea). As williamsf1 mentioned, this is confirmed in several threads around here. :)
 
Definitely call and don't rely on the website. The staff have much more available than the site shows, including destinations that are not necessarily codeshares.
 
Second the suggestion to call for International redemptions rather than use online tool. Much more available when you are talking to a person. Have booked 2 x return J to Europe next year on EY (Feb and June). Most of the sectors showed online as sold out however call centre were able to book.
 
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Another vote for "ring the call centre". I've booked (and changed) quite a few points redemptions that weren't available on the website. eg the PER-AUH leg on Etihad just doesn't seem to show any J availability on the website, but I've snagged the day I wanted each time when calling up.
 
Could anyone tell me whether VA open up extra availibility for higher status members like QF does?

naggi : I think the general answer is "sort of but not totally not like QF" ie VFF do have their reward seat "guarantee" for Y, but you can't call up and get J class reward seat released, but there are some good tricks/tips to know about how it works in VFF land. I found this thread really good to understand what offered for Plat (and Gold in many cases). http://www.australianfrequentflyer....velocity/virgin-platinum-pointless-61375.html
 
If you're looking for VA metal flights, don't bother calling as they can't request reward seats like QF Premium (WP, WP1, CL) can.

However, if you're looking for partner award space they seem to have much greater availability via the call centre than online, so give them a call.

Hope this helps.
 
If you're looking for VA metal flights, don't bother calling as they can't request reward seats like QF Premium (WP, WP1, CL) can.

However, if you're looking for partner award space they seem to have much greater availability via the call centre than online, so give them a call.

Hope this helps.

good tip thanks vantage03
 
Another data point, I just booked a flight in J with Etihad for Mrs D-H to Europe mid Aug next year, lots of availability when speaking to the call centre, including the A380 & B787 services from SYD & BNE respectively.

Options were MEL-LHR direct in 777 then 380, via BNE on 787 then 380, or via SYD with 380 both intl legs.

Chose the SYD option with the added benefit of the new EY lounge for an extra $3 in taxes... no brainer!
 
Another data point, I just booked a flight in J with Etihad for Mrs D-H to Europe mid Aug next year, lots of availability when speaking to the call centre, including the A380 & B787 services from SYD & BNE respectively.

Options were MEL-LHR direct in 777 then 380, via BNE on 787 then 380, or via SYD with 380 both intl legs.

Chose the SYD option with the added benefit of the new EY lounge for an extra $3 in taxes... no brainer!

great outcome. how many points that set you back day-heg?
 
great outcome. how many points that set you back day-heg?

125,000 points plus $101 in taxes. Gotta love the $00.00 fuel surcharges that EY impose... compare that with EK and their QF bedfellows and that - for me - is the single biggest benefit of Velocity over QFF, given as I understand, the number of points for redemptions are broadly similar.
 
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