Redeeming Virgin airmiles

[TallMark]

Is there a more frustrating experience than trying to book a reward seat on the virgin website?

After 30 mins of repeatedly tweaking dates I've found just a single return trip for an upper class fare to Sydney (£523 + 180,000 miles). I can't find anything in premium economy at all so far.

Any tips? I'm trying midweek days (Tues/Weds/Thurs) to try and maximise chances of a "hit" but no joy so far and I've given up for the day now.

Last time I used the call centre they messed up the flight, so loathe to try that. And at this point I'm only after an idea of all the cost combinations, not ready to book yet.

Grumble grumble...

[Not Ideal]

VA is one of the worst airlines (along with Emirates) for redeeming miles.

I've been stashing for them years and yet to redeem any of them.

BA to Cape Town in Feb on miles on the other hand....

[AdeTuono]

Not Ideal said:

I've been stashing for them years and yet to redeem any of them.

Don't they have an expiry date?

[saleen836]

AdeTuono said:

Not Ideal said:

I've been stashing for them years and yet to redeem any of them.

Don't they have an expiry date?

No, as long as you keep adding to them within a certain timeframe! (unless they have changed the rules)

Edited by saleen836 on Tuesday 21st December 23:25

[Not Ideal]

inkiboo said:

Also, the best bang for buck is to book an upgradeable economy ticket and then use miles.

Couldn't agree more - most economic way.

[TallMark]

Not Ideal said:

inkiboo said:

Also, the best bang for buck is to book an upgradeable economy ticket and then use miles.

Couldn't agree more - most economic way.

Can you do this via the site (Flexible ticket?) or does it need the call centre.

My next gripe is that the small print on most of the deals requires a certain class of ticket, of which there seem to be a dozen classes or so, but the website simply has two options, so how can you tell what you're getting?

[tuffer]

Currently have enough BA Miles for two First class return tickets to anywhere but Australia......Just need to pick a destination. New non stop route to Beunos Aires in the spring looks promising.

[theaxe]

If VS are anything like BA then London<->Sydney will be one of the most popular redemption routes and seats will be taken as they become available at a year out.

[GlenMH]

The other option is to redeem them with a partner airline. We got a business class return flight from Tokyo to Auckland on air NZ using Virgin miles. We did have to be flexible on dates though.

[Dakkon]

Try redeeming BMI points on partner airlines, it is easier to get blood from a stone.

[pb1695]

You can also convert them into Virgin Holiday Vouchers and then book holiday / flights and try and negotiate a discount - I think the conversion is £50 for every 10,000 miles.

[tontoro]

i finally managed to use my virgin miles, it was a real pain. First time I tired, I was looking at flights to India 8 months in advance. Couldn't find ANY seats on flexible dates. IMO it's a sham.

[whoami]

Dakkon said:

Try redeeming BMI points on partner airlines, it is easier to get blood from a stone.

Makes Virgin look reasonable.

[Silver993tt]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I've still got over 1 million BA miles tu use up. Problem is the huge amounts of tax you still have to pay on each ticket, makes it a bit of a nonsense since they used to be "free" tickets.

[Silver993tt]

inkiboo said:

Silver993tt said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I've still got over 1 million BA miles tu use up. Problem is the huge amounts of tax you still have to pay on each ticket, makes it a bit of a nonsense since they used to be "free" tickets.

They have not been "free" tickets for years now. And I find it hard to believe someone with one million miles would find the tax "huge".

Well, I look at the tax in relation to what it used to be - which was zero, so yes huge in relative terms.

[Beardy10]

Virgin seem to release air miles tickets in tranches.....when I checked to go to Cape Town in Feb/march a couple of summers ago there was no availability but the they told me to keep checking as more tickets would become available. I basically checked every two days and got a pair of Upper Class tickets to Cape Town on ideal days about three months before.

I think basically they know that air miles will pretty much always get taken up so wait and see if those fools that pay for their flights want the tickets first...unlike BA who just seem to release the airmiles tickets a year in advance.

[whoami]

Silver993tt said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I've still got over 1 million BA miles tu use up. Problem is the huge amounts of tax you still have to pay on each ticket, makes it a bit of a nonsense since they used to be "free" tickets.

Look on the bright side, at least you won't have to pay for the wine.

[tuffer]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

???? A standard return ticket to Chicago is only about £630, obviously depending on when you are flying. 6,000 airmiles is hardly worth redeeming. Not trying to be a snob or anything but that's the sort of mileage you pick up for one long haul flight. You may be better off keeping what you have and adding to them via the Chicago flight or a BA AMEX card and then get the partner flight as well (after £10K spent).

[tuffer]

And 6,000 miles will not get you to the USA:

North America
Either 50000* BA Miles
or from 25000* BA Miles + GBP195

[Silver993tt]

tuffer said:

And 6,000 miles will not get you to the USA:

North America
Either 50000* BA Miles
or from 25000* BA Miles + GBP195

+ taxes