LAX-NY return $500 or use Velocity points Virgin America?

[PLANT]

Hi there,

Just asking if worth considering using some of 80K velocity points for a ticket return LAX-NY on Virgin America which will be a $550AU ticket return?
How many points used plus tax?

Have flown the route before and 4hr flight...like MELB-Perth and as not upgrading but due to lower AU dollar is it worth using points?

Posted here more than Velocity....more people viewing?

Regards

 

[sergeyvzn]

redeeming 80K on a $550 ticket is extremely poor value. Just to compare - as of 01 Feb 2014 you can use 80K of United Miles for a return J class SYD-BKK-SYD which normally costs at least $3.5K. I know it's a different FF program altogether but it still offers a benchmark

also, it''s not 4 hours, it's more like 5 hrs 45 min really. Not that short really

 

[PLANT]

Yeah I rang and after back and forth elevate points you at least double to get the Velocity amount when claiming.....so would have been 35K+ points for $350AU one way.....thats not worth it right?
Late frigging booking

 

[sergeyvzn]

It's slightly better but still awful really, not worth it. Redeeming points for economy flights are always poor value, that's the cardinal rule of redeeming - always go for J and F, and international over domestic

 

[PLANT]

Just wondering I have flown this route with Virgin before, BUT would it be the same space and comfort in Economy with AA?
I just noted that I paid $170 more return by flying Virgin

 

[sergeyvzn]

AA in Y is a pure horror

 

[drewbles]

AA in Y is a pure horror

Having just done LAX-LAS-ORD-BOS and BOS-DFW-LAX in AA in Y, it's really *not* pure horror.

Having *any* OW status (yes, even Ruby at present, up until Feb 2014) grants you access to MCE, Main Cabin Extra. 3-6" of extra leg room, it leaves QF's Y seating for dead.

I'd rather an AA MCE seat than a VX regular coach seat (I don't care about IFE, that's what an iPad or tablet is for IMO, and VX charge for IFE unless you're in Main Cabin Select; front row or exit row of Coach).

Of course, Matrix - ITA Software is your friend. Use that, and take the cheapest flight. Every airline is going to charge you for food and drink in Coach in the states so may as well take the cheapest (just factor in the cost of luggage; Any OW status gets 2 bags on AA).

 

[sergeyvzn]

American Airlines don't exactly enjoy a good reputation for their service and product in Y. A quick read on Skytrax will reveal many a horror stories. I have only flown them once, in Y, internationally, and I swear I will never fly them again

 

[drewbles]

American Airlines don't exactly enjoy a good reputation for their service and product in Y. A quick read on Skytrax will reveal many a horror stories. I have only flown them once, in Y, internationally, and I swear I will never fly them again

I've flown them well over 100 times in coach in the past 5 years (only domestic, I admit; only done F on their international service) and only once had a bad experience.

There was a situation on a recent flight, where I asked, after boarding, if I could possibly move to the next flight (I won't go into details why, but it was due to something on board in my row) and asked to go back to the gate agent. I was allowed to and ended up being moved to First.

I've found AA's staff to, on the whole, be simply excellent. That said, the 10 or so UA flights i've taken in the past 18 months, i'll *never* step foot on one of their aircraft again, at least in economy.

 

[PLANT]

AA: just factor in the cost of luggage; Any OW status gets 2 bags on AA).
Are they free?

Hey I flew AA Boston Chicago I think...they gave me an exit row seat or did I choose it.....no cost...could not believe the leg room was huge.
Found in the past Coach in VX to be bigger than VA domestic.
Just still confused about cancelling a booked VX flight...if in 24hrs is it free even on non refundable ticket?
This $100 fee only after 24hrs?
No access to toll free number in Australia to speak to VX booking staff and email terrible...no popup help either.
Wish I had known Matrix...tried Cheapoair and Skyscanner
Forgot about AA when booking VX...Westjet up north in Canack land were really good.
The VX cheap seats give you no Free seat option right?
Does my higher cost(due to plane filling up and closer to date) get any better seat allocation or just whats left?

Can you rate the American airlines in comfort\service order please...or who you priority fly if same price?