VA Reward Seat booking question -

[Brooke01]

Hi everyone,

Hubby and I are heading off to the U.S in July/August. Both legs are on "Reward" seats. SYD-LAX in J, LAX-SYD in PE. I had to book seperate tickets there and back as at the time I did not have enough points to do it all together.

Am just wondering....

What would be the process if I wanted to change our booking from PE to J on the way back. (Assuming availability, of course). The points for the PE tickets, plus the points that I now have sitting in AmEx/Velocity would more than cover what I need for two "J" seats - even taking into account a "point penalty" for the change if it was required.

I guess what I am asking is - if I were to ring up and attempt to do this, does anyone know what the process would be ?? ie. cancel PE tix, reallocate points to J tix etc all on the same phone call (therefore minimising the time between changing from PE to J - I would hate by some chance for the J tix to disappear all of a sudden and our PE tix also be gone). Or, is it a process of - cancelling the PE tix, waiting days for the points to be refunded back to my account, then purchasing the J tix, and hoping they are still available ???

It would be nice to travel both ways in J - but am still happy with PE if it comes down to it, or if the above scenario would fit in to the "too hard, or risky" category.

I am Platinum with VA, if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance - and hope I haven't confused things too much !

Cheers,

Brooke

 

[erkpod]

Give the GCC a call & ask them if there's availability & how many points you'll need to upgrade. Then you can make a decision either way. They'll be able to do everything you need.

 

[mkentwell]

Have always found that calling the VA help line as a Platinum member is fantastic - they will bend over backwards to help!

 

[robd]

Aren't all the return flights on VA overnighters? If so, definitely try to upgrade to J. My experience with the Plat GCC has always been positive. Call them and they will advise your best option.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

And be flexible with dates - a day or so can make a big difference with rates and availability.
Interested to know how you go - have found Virgin very helpful regardless of status.
You will find the new Tom Bradley Terminal a vast improvement with much less delay in Customs and Immigration.
If you haven't got a newish passport with a chip get one before you go - automatic gates at immigration speed up the process.

 

[Brooke01]

Thanks everyone. I will give them a call this week - and report back. Fingers crossed for a good outcome !

 

[vantage03]

Side note, but this week I used the call centre to book a reward seat on VS. They were fantastic, and even held the seat for me whilst I transferred my points from Amex. I didn't know they could do that for non-VA seats.

 

[AIRwin]

Side note, but this week I used the call centre to book a reward seat on VS. They were fantastic, and even held the seat for me whilst I transferred my points from Amex. I didn't know they could do that for non-VA seats.

I think Velocity did that for SQ as well when I called for a quote on a reward seat as there was a PNR created...

 

[ronicat]

Brooke01. I will be cancelling two J seats for 11th aug lax to syd next week. I'm not sure how long they will take to be re-released if that is any help to you.

 

[Ausbt]

You are going to love J with Virgin, that's for sure. Try to get allocated Row 5 AC or JK (essentially a private cabin). Join the club at 1,609 metres high!

 

[Brooke01]

Hi all,
Just thought I would close this thread off.
Rang the Plat line today. Spoke to the lovely Esther. Nothing was a problem. She cancelled my PE booking, and immediately rebooked us into J class. Waived the $60 cancellation fee on the PE booking - but did charge the "assisted booking fee" of $60 per booking, so $120. No biggie - was happy to pay it and get it all sorted at the same time - rather than me trying to book myself etc. Just a little lazy on my part, I guess ! Lol
So - the whole procedure was very well handled and I am most pleased to be flying J both to and now, from - the U.S
Cheers,
Brooke

 

[robd]

Did you get a seat allocation?

 

[Brooke01]

Did you get a seat allocation?

I did. Chose 1H and 1K. We have 1A and 1C on the way over - but these were taken on the way home.

Could have been allocated the "exclusive" row 5, but I am in two minds about it. It's listed as an "exit row". My problem is - I sometimes need a seatbelt extender. Do not need one on VA economy, or even Premium Economy long haul - but Domestic Business, the seat belts seem shorter and I always need one. Don't want to risk needing one for Business long haul - and then having to change from row 5, and maybe getting stuck in the 3 seat config in the middle.

Sucks being a fatty

Just really looking forward to it - haven't flown long haul Business before

Cheers,

Brooke

 

[Powerballsam]

Can I ask how many points it cost and what the tax's where?

 

[robd]

I did. Chose 1H and 1K. We have 1A and 1C on the way over - but these were taken on the way home.

Could have been allocated the "exclusive" row 5, but I am in two minds about it. It's listed as an "exit row". My problem is - I sometimes need a seatbelt extender. Do not need one on VA economy, or even Premium Economy long haul - but Domestic Business, the seat belts seem shorter and I always need one. Don't want to risk needing one for Business long haul - and then having to change from row 5, and maybe getting stuck in the 3 seat config in the middle.

Sucks being a fatty 

Just really looking forward to it - haven't flown long haul Business before 

Cheers,

Brooke

Excellent. You're all set then.

I haven't done VA J Int. yet, but I have a booking for Oct. I took row 5 and am hoping it sticks, as I'll have fallen to SG from Plat by then.

Enjoy your trip

 

[Brooke01]

Can I ask how many points it cost and what the tax's where?

It was 99k points each - and that was all up, including paying for the taxes in points. LAX-SYD

If I had wanted to pay for the taxes in cash - it would have been 94k points each plus around $36 each in taxes.

Cheers,

Brooke

 

[Brooke01]

Excellent. You're all set then.
I haven't done VA J Int. yet, but I have a booking for Oct. I took row 5 and am hoping it sticks, as I'll have fallen to SG from Plat by then.

Enjoy your trip

Thanks - am so excited for this trip. Probably won't be able to do a trip "this way" for a while - so really looking forward to it.

Hope your Row 5 sticks and you have a great time too

 

[Deewhy]

I did. Chose 1H and 1K. We have 1A and 1C on the way over - but these were taken on the way home.

Could have been allocated the "exclusive" row 5, but I am in two minds about it. It's listed as an "exit row". My problem is - I sometimes need a seatbelt extender. Do not need one on VA economy, or even Premium Economy long haul - but Domestic Business, the seat belts seem shorter and I always need one. Don't want to risk needing one for Business long haul - and then having to change from row 5, and maybe getting stuck in the 3 seat config in the middle.

I didn't know row 5 was classified as exit row. I've done it a couple of times with little kids and had no issue. I have another flight booked in September in row 5. I've never been informed it was an exit row, nor been asked to "assist in the event of an emergency" in the pre-flight safety briefing, which I would expect if it was. Have things changed?

Is there a restriction on not being able to use an extender in an exit row?

 

[serfty]

There are really no exit row seats in VA business -

I would go row 5 every time - they are basically bulkhead seats.

For a start row 5 PAX tend to get first choice of meal options.

 

[Brooke01]

I didn't know row 5 was classified as exit row. I've done it a couple of times with little kids and had no issue. I have another flight booked in September in row 5. I've never been informed it was an exit row, nor been asked to "assist in the event of an emergency" in the pre-flight safety briefing, which I would expect if it was. Have things changed?

Is there a restriction on not being able to use an extender in an exit row?

Now I am confused ! Lol

Row 5 is listed on SeatGuru as an "business class exit row".

Maybe I should ring them and ask ? Would really like to try Row 5 - but don't want to risk it if I need an extender.

It's in the "terms" that you can't wear an extender if you are in an exit row.