VA Reward bookings code (SABRE implementation)

[eastwest101]

Solved the problem. It's Perth that is the issue. The website is only showing rewards flights that involve Etihad - including Etihad to Perth. Virgin are using Singapore Air as their partner to Perth which only loads nine months out. The Etihad flights are a website error and can only be booked to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane like they could in the past.

Seems to be a common theme appearing here in the last few weeks.........

I actually also had a question regarding a VA points & pay J flight booked back in early Oct 2012 and flown in Dec 2012. I do not have the boarding passes or emails with booking ref. It was about $400 and 35K velocity pts for 2 J class pax one way SYD-TSV, would anyone be able to suggest what booking class that would have gone into?

I am only asking as this flight appears as "Not Valid for Earn" for SC's, and just would like to know if this is something I need to battle with VA (as I dubious about anything that I see on the VA or Velocity web site at the moment) or not. Thanks.

 

[serfty]

...
I am only asking as this flight appears as "Not Valid for Earn" for SC's, and just would like to know if this is something I need to battle with VA (as I dubious about anything that I see on the VA or Velocity web site at the moment) or not. Thanks.

"H" was the pre-SABRE award business class, and no, you are probably not going to be able to claim on that one.

(pre-SABRE upgrade class was "Q")

 

[eastwest101]

"H" class, and no, you are probably not going to be able to claim on that one.

(Upgrade class was "Q")

Thanks for the quick reply, saved me a big search of old paperwork and turning my email archives upside-down! Ta.

 

[DeKa]

Re: Rewards booking codes for DJ?

However, by doing a 'dummy' award booking you can now find where Z is at

serfty,
I've just tried this .. been watching a flight (which is tomorrow) for a few days waiting for Reward Business availability to come up .. it's there as of about 30 mins ago. I called and asked to do the upgrade, and they said there is no upgrade availability.
I'll try again in another hour or so, but maybe upgrades don't go to Z class anymore?

 

[serfty]

Re: Rewards booking codes for DJ?

...
I'll try again in another hour or so, but maybe upgrades don't go to Z class anymore?

Certainly they do domestically for non ODU's Z in sprinted on the BP.

Did you ask what class they were looking for?

(FWIW, how does one see an international Business awards anyway - all I see are horrendous points values with Cash and Points searches.)

 

[Fruitcake]

Re: Rewards booking codes for DJ?

(FWIW, how does one see an international Business awards anyway - all I see are horrendous points values with Cash and Points searches.)

On virginaustralia.com.au select "Use Points/Points + Pay" and then "reward seat" under "travel class." That will show Y and J reward seats.

Choosing "Any Seat Premium/Business" will show obscene points + pay fares.

 

[DeKa]

Re: Rewards booking codes for DJ?

On virginaustralia.com.au select "Use Points/Points + Pay" and then "reward seat" under "travel class." That will show Y and J reward seats.

Choosing "Any Seat Premium/Business" will show obscene points + pay fares.

That's exactly what I have done in the past, and just did again. Site shows J rewards available. Called to request upgrade and they said no availability.

 

[Fruitcake]

Re: Rewards booking codes for DJ?

That's exactly what I have done in the past, and just did again. Site shows J rewards available. Called to request upgrade and they said no availability.

Well, in my defense, I didn't claim it would help you find upgrade availability. Looks like it might have helped serfty find reward seats though .

 

[DeKa]

Re: Rewards booking codes for DJ?

Well, in my defense, I didn't claim it would help you find upgrade availability. Looks like it might have helped serfty find reward seats though .

It's worked multiple times in the past for me .. I'd watch (a couple of times a day) the reward seat availability, then the moment I saw a J seat, I'd call and request an upgrade and secure it. Looks like the two are no longer directly connected (unless someone else nabbed the seat in the time between when I saw and called - about 5 mins)

 

[kyle]

Re: Rewards booking codes for DJ?

Actually, this prompted me to use one of my stashed free flights so I just rang up Amex and asked for the booking codes. The Amex flights book into "Saver" fares and use booking codes Q, N and E.

Ah, that explains why the agent told me there are at least 21 seats available on a particular flight.