Airmiles Virgin v BA

[DJRC]

Right, Im currently with Virgin and have a shedload but Ive just had the mother of all bad customer experiences with them trying to upgrade and use them. In short...bloody terrible. No and I mean NO help to the punter trying to make their fking systems work.

So, are BA any better? Can you upgrade easily? Are the Avios worth it? Yes, I put thousands/tens of thousands of points on whichever account it will be each yr, enough to qualify for upgrade this/upgrade that.

Some advice ppl Im at the stage of wanting to shoot Branson.

NO I DONT fkING CARE IF HE RUNS THE bd AIRLINE ANYMORE OR NOT!!!!! Just before some pedantic tosser wants to be a smart arse.

[bigandclever]

You could have a play here http://www.webflyer.com/programs/mileage_converter... , might give you some ideas of how best to transfer miles if you choose to.

I have a lot of miles (a lot for me, anyway) and it seems that the consensus is that Virgin will make it as hard as possible to redeem. You could also try http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgin-atlantic-fly... as a starting point too.

[Mermaid]

bigandclever said:

I have a lot of miles (a lot for me, anyway) and it seems that the consensus is that Virgin will make it as hard as possible to redeem..

All programmes are like that - I have a fair few mies with Avios & Star Alliance.

Destination dependent - most popular destinations (except short haul) are a PITA to book, if not impossible. Much nearer the flight time (even on the day), better chance of booking/upgrading as flights get released if they have not sold.

[DJRC]

See I also have a shedload with the Nazis and MilesnMore. That system is wonderfully easy to use though. I invariably get about 2 free return trips a yr between Blights and Naziland out of them.

The Virgin system is just fricking horrific.

[Mermaid]

DJRC said:

See I also have a shedload with the Nazis and MilesnMore. That system is wonderfully easy to use though. I invariably get about 2 free return trips a yr between Blights and Naziland out of them.

The Virgin system is just fricking horrific.

Miles & More is great for flights to Germany.

For what it's worth, Virgin Money (previously Northern Rock) is a pain, and designed to work against you. Beardy will not get my custom on any of his projects.

[DJRC]

Finally managed to get my upgrades.

What a sodding hassle.

Which BA mob go on strike? How do I avoid them if I want to fly with BA?

[DJRC]

Finally managed to get my upgrades.

What a sodding hassle.

Which BA mob go on strike? How do I avoid them if I want to fly with BA?

[Extra 300 Driver]

I have Ba AVIOS and I also have their American Express card. I pay £150 a year and get 2 AVIOS for each £1 spent, and I think its 3 AVIOS per £1 spent on BA. I also get a free companion voucher to use every year.

This year I have 190,000 AVIOS and I have used those to get a return FIRST to Las Vegas, then used my companion voucher to get another, so me and the Mrs are going FIRSt to Vegas for about £500 total.

Never had a problem upgrading, or striking. Much better then EK or DL, which I also have status with.

Just my thoughts

HTH

[DJRC]

Extra...I have that equivalent deal but on the Virgin side. Like you I also have masses of points and was trying to use them for my upgrades with Virgin. What a ballache. Have you found it easier with BA?

What's BA First like? Ill be hitting Virgin Upper this time, so would be good to have a comparison between the two.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Virgin Upper isnt really First, its classed as a business product, J class. I think Vs are introducing a Fisrt product with their A380, but I cant be sure.

BA Fisrt is great, but its no Emirates or Singapore, Its still very exclusive and special but if I were paying for the tickets I would be in Economy!

[DJRC]

G class on Virgin for Upper.

What the hell the difference between Bus and 1st is I have no idea really. Lux is lux to me.

So what do you get on BA first then? Why is it not as good as Em or Singers?

[Puggit]

Ha - back in the day bmi had the worst system ever. You had to call India to redeem your miles.

[Extra 300 Driver]

For me there isnt a big enough gap between BA Business and FIRST. In FIRST you have a bigger seat, better food and wines as well as more personal service. There is a difference in the pax too. I always think people in business have a chip on their shoulders, but in FIRST they all seem a lot more relaxed and often pax chat to one another during the flight.

Some pics

[Puggit]

What's going on with the windows in those pics?

[Extra 300 Driver]

Puggit said:

What's going on with the windows in those pics?

What do you mean, the blue colour?

[Puggit]

Extra 300 Driver said:

What do you mean, the blue colour?

Well they are clear, blue and opaque in different pictures

[GCH]

Puggit said:

What's going on with the windows in those pics?

Its a personal blind you can lower. Cabin also has blue lighting. Very nice it is too- although not perfect, its a step up from the old F cabin.


There is simply no contest between VS upper and BA F - Virgin is atrocious in every way and rather poor in comparison to BA club, let alone F.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Its just the light affecting the camera. I have never flown VS J class so I cant comment.

[BigBen]

GCH said:

Puggit said:

What's going on with the windows in those pics?

Its a personal blind you can lower. Cabin also has blue lighting. Very nice it is too- although not perfect, its a step up from the old F cabin.


There is simply no contest between VS upper and BA F - Virgin is atrocious in every way and rather poor in comparison to BA club, let alone F.

I have flown BA club and first as well as Virgin upper and would suggest the order is first < upper < club with the gap between club and upper much smaller than the gap between first and upper.

First gets you much much better service, food, drinks and well everything.

Ben

[DJRC]

So its best to switch to Avios?