Hi all,
I'm booked to fly SYD-MEL-LAX on a VA reward ticket, so VA is the ticket issuer, VA is the carrier for SYD-MEL (VA 800), and UA is the carrier from MEL to LAX (UA 99).
VA 800 is the first flight of the day out of Sydney, leaving 6am, with a scheduled 7:35am arrival in MEL.
UA 99 (scheduled departure time 9:30am) will probably start boarding at 8:40am, and I'll have passport control to visit before then, so any delay and I'll be getting nervous about my connection. Not concerned about luggage as flying HLO.
Obviously I can't leave Sydney before 6am, so is there any chance VA will fly me down the night before? VA Gold, booked in J both flights, not that it matters.
Due to commitments on arrival in the United States I would also consider buying a cash ticket to MEL the night before to be sure of making the connection - is there any way to do that without being taken for a no-show in Sydney?
Finally, is there anyway UA will put me on UA842 from Sydney to LAX? Would they ever just do that if I ask nicely and they have space, or would they only do it if VA re-issues the ticket for it to happen? It seems very unlikely but I suppose it's theoretically possible.
Appreciate your advice, experience, observations, et cetera (even if the advice is just to travel as planned and hope for the best).
(Feel free to re-home this in the right location - thank you.)
Kind regards,
SBD
I'm booked to fly SYD-MEL-LAX on a VA reward ticket, so VA is the ticket issuer, VA is the carrier for SYD-MEL (VA 800), and UA is the carrier from MEL to LAX (UA 99).
VA 800 is the first flight of the day out of Sydney, leaving 6am, with a scheduled 7:35am arrival in MEL.
UA 99 (scheduled departure time 9:30am) will probably start boarding at 8:40am, and I'll have passport control to visit before then, so any delay and I'll be getting nervous about my connection. Not concerned about luggage as flying HLO.
Obviously I can't leave Sydney before 6am, so is there any chance VA will fly me down the night before? VA Gold, booked in J both flights, not that it matters.
Due to commitments on arrival in the United States I would also consider buying a cash ticket to MEL the night before to be sure of making the connection - is there any way to do that without being taken for a no-show in Sydney?
Finally, is there anyway UA will put me on UA842 from Sydney to LAX? Would they ever just do that if I ask nicely and they have space, or would they only do it if VA re-issues the ticket for it to happen? It seems very unlikely but I suppose it's theoretically possible.
Appreciate your advice, experience, observations, et cetera (even if the advice is just to travel as planned and hope for the best).
(Feel free to re-home this in the right location - thank you.)
Kind regards,
SBD
