LHR (UK) using VA? Is it worth it for a Gold VFF?

[lukenet]

Hey,

I need to head over to LHR. Being a gold VFF, I was wondering if it was worth booking using VA and paying the premium this seems to attract.

Looking at the various comments here about how restrictive it can be on other partner airlines, I wanted to know if anyone does this?
If you do, what it is the best way to maximize the benefits, ie. upgrades etc..
What are your tips and tricks?

I have +200K in VFF points for I can also use, but am I just better looking for a cheap flight on another airline?

 

[stoneman]

I'm also interested in the opinions of the 'more experienced aff'ers' on that one !

 

[italianlover]

Hi, I am not an experienced member but here goes!
I flew to LHR as Gold VFF in June and paid and booked VA? Syd to Abu Dhabi was on a VA service and I was upgraded to Premium Economy. My daughter was with me on a reward flight and also got the upgrade. The reward flights over are good value with low taxes but return out of LHR taxes are expensive $300 +. I had lots of points so this was still good value using points pay option. We then flew Etihad From AUH to LHR, lounge access at AUH just ok. My flight home was with VA code share Singapore Airlines, I had an issue on check in couldn't even get an aisle seat, this was sorted by lovely Lounge staff who got me an aisle seat and exit row! I booked Flexi fares on return section as it wasn't much more, the points earn and status credits made this very worthwhile for me. Hope that helps

 

[ap_spd]

havent flown to LHR on VA but having flown both EY and SQ on VA tickets, I think unless the cost difference is LOW it is not worth the extra points. I think the best use in your case would be to transfer points to KrisFlyer and then book tickets on SQ metal. From the charts it seems to be 190K KF points return which is 257000 VA points in J or half of it when flying Y.

 

[jpk]

Online seat selection on the VA codeshares is usually non-existant and you have to wait till OLCI. Last time I did a VA code on an EY flight I couldn't check in online either. You get slightly more bonus on the VA code, but be careful with your underlying base fare bucket. Sometimes a flexi is not much more than saver/sale fares. Generally the VA codes cost more to book, I rarely bother now as SC are more important to me than points.

EY fit 10 across on their 777 whereas SQ do 9. I prefer the service and seats on SQ. EY lounges are nicer though can be overcrowded. The SQ lounges you get access to in SIN when in Y are nothing great. The flights from Oz-AUH I find to be very long, tiring and tedious. AUH airport is often an overcrowded mess with long queues for security. SIN is an oasis in comparison.

If you want to use points, reward seats on EY in J used to be quite plentiful but seem to have dried up lately so you need to search and be flexible. On SQ J they are there, but you're better off transferring them to Krisflyer and paying more taxes. Fly out of a non-UK airport to save on taxes on the return - AMS/FCO are both cheaper, CDG/MXP also can be better options. A cheap Y flight to SIN, then SQ J flights onwards from there can be a good itinerary for some.

At the end of all that though, don't get sucked in by loyalty - if you find a good cheap deal on another carrier, don't be scared to take it!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You can't get a VA flight from Australia to LHR, its all flying there would be with VA's partners.
No option to fly on a VA service to the UK!
Not sure if we will ever see VA do something like QF.
As it is now, VA flies from some ports in Australia to AUH and then turns around to come back.
VA in itself does not fly to the UK.

 

[jackthomas]

You can't get a VA flight from Australia to LHR, its all flying there would be with VA's partners.
No option to fly on a VA service to the UK!
Not sure if we will ever see VA do something like QF.
As it is now, VA flies from some ports in Australia to AUH and then turns around to come back.
VA in itself does not fly to the UK.

Yes Poochie.. I think we all understand this, as you can see everybody is discussing VA partners.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ok, a k9 whiny yes.

 

[Ausbt]

If stuck in EY Y, go for the A380 it's the best economy fit out I've seen. As a WP I got turned away from the AUH T3 Diamond lounge. I tried again 30 mins later and got in - found it a great lounge love the multiple food areas.

Also had problem getting a red wine on the AUH-LHR flight, was told drinks tray coming but it never arrived. I think you must have to order it via the AVOD, which incidentally was excellent on the A380. As a result stayed sober but aim to rectify that on the return in a few weeks time.