First class noob questions

[Radio8tiv]

Ok so I have booked a 280k reward with one world, and am now looking at planning a first class trip to Great Britain with velocity points but am unsure of what's the best combination and tricks to do so. This will be most likely my only first class trip ever so want to make it special, so far I'm thinking Etihad and Singapore but doing a quick search at Virgin even to the last day available I can't see any first class options.

Having done some research I know you have to look at Etihad and then ring virgin to book and also pay the first class surcharge for each leg not trip, I also know if booking through Singapore you get a discount for booking online, and that they charge a lot of fees also.

First question is are these the best options/quality first class available with virgin points?
Also which order would you take? I.e Singapore out and Etihad return? Or vice versa

Secondly I'm very flexible on timing and departure location but was thinking UK winter time so anywhere from Nov-feb 2018-19, also departing from SYD,MEL,AKL etc. to LHR and returning from either the UK or even somewhere else in Europe like AMS to avoid the hefty departure tax from LHR.

Thirdly how how many points do you typically need for a trip like this?

Would really prefer A380 for most flights and can even throw in a EK flight if need be on QF points.

I like to do my research early and am booking a Marriott reward soon so was looking at where to credit the points towards this?

Where do you recommend I start reading/researching? Any tips would be greatly appreciated via here or pm.

 

[purpleparrot]

I don't think SQ first availability shows on the Virgin website as SQ don't release first class fares to Virgin. You can book first class on SQ through using krisflyer points which you can convert your velocity points to.

 

[RooFlyer]

Certainly Etihad First Class in The Apartment is a fantastic product. Haven't done it via VA points (I used AA Miles), so can't help you there.

SQ First Suites is an excellent product too. You can of course convert your VA points into Krisflyer miles (need a Krisflyer account), then book SQ direct via their website, where you get a 15% discount on the miles (for booking on the web). If you are flexible, you should be able to get a route easily. Go over to the 'SQ Tips trip and tales' thread and a certain Mr Elite will promptly respond to any queries while rubbing his hands that he's got another convert.

Head over to the Trip Report section where you will find lots of pics and experiences on both types. Also check this thread:

 

[mmchow]

As per purpleparrot, Virgin only display Business class seat. For first class, you'll need to search via KrisFlyer (for SQ) and Etihad (for EY) flights. If I'a not mistaken EY release seat 331 days out and SQ 355 days. You'll need to be a hawk when they are available I.e. book online for SQ and call VA for EY. For SQ, you'll have to transfer points over to KrisFlyer; 1.35VA to 1 KF points.
Answers to your Q:
1. For Velocity points, yes. EY only have one flight on the A380 but SQ has a few flights out of MEL/ SYD port so depends on your preference for departure/ arrival time. In AUH, you'll be able to check out the new first class lounge. On transit with SQ, the Private room is available for you too. My preference would be EY out simply EY had a better lounge in MEL/SYD.
2. Mentioned bout timing of award seat release so constantly check on seat availability
3. SQ charges 132.5K points before the 15% discount + hefty taxes. VA charges 203K points + USD600 (newly imposed charges;$300/ sector for first class booking) + tax.
Just did a similar trip on multiple A380 and I loved it.
Point Hacks is a good starting point and also some of the threads here would be handy as well.

 

[Radio8tiv]

thanks for the info so far, it helped me to work out what I need to start my research

 

[Denali]

Because Im a noob at this, so I can book via VA a EY J flight and pay to upgrade to 1st?

thanks,

 

[mmchow]

Because Im a noob at this, so I can book via VA a EY J flight and pay to upgrade to 1st?

thanks,

Are you referring to paid J seat then upgrade to F using $? If so, not possible if book via VA. You can only do with via EY website.
For an award booking, upgrade using cash is also not possible. You will need to upgrade using points i.e. pay the point difference between the two cabin.

See this article from AusBT on upgrade option to F on EY

 

[dec540]

One option is to book one way redemptions with both SQ and EY. Points pricing shouldn't be impacted, though taxes might be. It would be a good way of flying both and shouldn't be much / if any extra cost.

 

[RAM]

If you really want to have some fun, and for just a few points more - you book a SYD JFK 1st class return on SQ using Krisflyer points and have a stopover in Frankfurt either on the way over or back. Then you book a return flight to anywhere in the UK spearately (maybe not 1st class...).

That way for only around 10,000 points more you effectively have added a return to New York in 1st class suites both ways and the cost of a FRA UK rtn ticket which can be had for as little as 4,000 Avios points (for example).

But if you don't want to see New York and get the extra 13 hours of 1st class suites...

 

[Jobeki111]

Etihad have first class on a380 out of Syd and Melb.... they did have first class out of bris too but on the 787 in a first class suite not an apartment. We were fortunate to score 1st class apartment Syd-auh last year on AA miles and ahu-bris in first class suites for our honeymoon. Much cheaper back then points wise and no surcharges. Only unfortunate thing was f lounge in such wasn't open at that stage. Bris-auh now tops out at business class unfortunately

 

[djchuckles]

Ive done this on both EY and SQ. On EY it cost ms 187,500 velocity points. That was from LHR to SYD via AUH. I did SQ the other way from SYD to SIN to LHR. That was 112,625 SQ points (inc 15% discount for online booking) which you'd need to transfer 152,044 VA points to get - and taxes were about SG$697 though I did pay extra for a 24 hour stopover in SIN. Both were great - EY maybe slightly better as newer product but service on both was 'first class'!

As has been discussed - you can't see First Class availability on Velocity site - you have to phone up for EY, though for SQ you can see availability on their site first and then phone up Velocity and ask to book it

Good luck!

 

[Radio8tiv]

One option is to book one way redemptions with both SQ and EY. Points pricing shouldn't be impacted, though taxes might be. It would be a good way of flying both and shouldn't be much / if any extra cost.

this is what I want to do so I can experience both

If you really want to have some fun, and for just a few points more - you book a SYD JFK 1st class return on SQ using Krisflyer points and have a stopover in Frankfurt either on the way over or back. Then you book a return flight to anywhere in the UK spearately (maybe not 1st class...).

That way for only around 10,000 points more you effectively have added a return to New York in 1st class suites both ways and the cost of a FRA UK rtn ticket which can be had for as little as 4,000 Avios points (for example).

But if you don't want to see New York and get the extra 13 hours of 1st class suites...

I was reading about this on pointhacks, but since i would only fly one way with SQ and the other EY I don't get a free stopover, i haven't ruled this out yet but could be too much juggling.

Ive done this on both EY and SQ. On EY it cost ms 187,500 velocity points. That was from LHR to SYD via AUH. I did SQ the other way from SYD to SIN to LHR. That was 112,625 SQ points (inc 15% discount for online booking) which you'd need to transfer 152,044 VA points to get - and taxes were about SG$697 though I did pay extra for a 24 hour stopover in SIN. Both were great - EY maybe slightly better as newer product but service on both was 'first class'!

As has been discussed - you can't see First Class availability on Velocity site - you have to phone up for EY, though for SQ you can see availability on their site first and then phone up Velocity and ask to book it

Good luck!

I think prices have changed somewhat, looking at the virgin reward charts it is now 203k one way each plus of course the $600USD each as well for EY

looking at still doing both though as like I said this will most likely be a one off, so far looking at EY SYD-AUH-LHR, then using SQ to get back maybe via FRA or something, SQ has more options for A380 departing from UK/EU so will give me more flexibility, and costing will be 132500 each before online discount. Is New Zealand included in the Australian zone on the SQ award chart? If so this opens up a different return option i.e. FRA-SIN-AKL I found some useful info on https://www.iflya380.com/a380-destinations.html

Also since these are a distance/zone reward could I also include a VA flight in J to/from TSV? so TSV-SYD-AUH-LHR for example for the same amount of points? obviously the taxes will be more.