Flying Club improvements coming soon

Saw this article posted today:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/10/2 ... c-pricing/

Apparently , 350,000 points each way in UC during super peak times (not verified, not confirmed), comparing to the likes of Delta. So 700k points + 2k taxes… cannot honestly seem them doing that.

I’d take that with a pinch of salt.

For example:
July return for 1 adult LHR-JFK is £1,797 for a cash ticket.
This is peak season.
I could use points, £16.50 per 3,000 . (They confirmed that remains).
I would only need to spend 327,000 points instead of 700k…. And my cash fare is 0.00£…And since it’s cash booking I would earn points too…

So this figure, of 350k points each way doesn’t not make sense at all…

So this figure, of 350k points each way doesn’t not make sense at all…

This is Virgin........

Indeed, why try and fix something that was not broken…
Just increase the reward space availability..

So what time does expect virgins IT to break tomorrow?

Confirmed on Twitter it is starting from 2pm


did confirm 350k points upper class seat, but said it’s the max price..them confirming the price of 350k points one way one person actually sickens me, and I think I’ve terribly underestimated what these changes, whilst appearing good as more options, are going to bring.

Will see tomorrow what it brings..

They need to bring back the grid when searching for fares with flexible dates.

The chances of that are the same as the changes going without a glitch

David

A whole month view show work.

1 - search for reward seat and change flexible dates to price calendar

Or

2 - edit the url, replace “dates” with “calendar”

I just booked some speculative reward flights to LAX for next year to burn some points, on the assumption of a big devaluation tomorrow. I used a standard companion reward to get a second seat at 50% of the required points, as OliverD241 mentioned this will be the last opportunity to do that, ever.

That’s great news. I cannot see UC saver reward seats being any cheaper on LAX as that route is always busy.

It is a real shame they will be ending the standard companion tickets.
I booked my tickets like this as I am not eligible for credit card as I live outside UK.

Around 2pm it will go live.

I just hope the rates won’t be as bad as what has been reported I.e UC tickets being 150k standard pricing each way.

A whole month view show work.

1 - search for reward seat and change flexible dates to price calendar

Or

2 - edit the url, replace “dates” with “calendar”

Morning Oliver, I don't see a flexible date option - I'm using explorer and chrome? Is it hiding some where?

thanks

David

Are you using the new website or the old website?

On the new website I know it doesn’t work.

But if you get on the old website it will.

[mitchja]

My FC Gold renewal voucher has now changed into the new reward voucher type this morning meaning I can now actually use it for a change; as an upgrade voucher

(it can also be used as a companion voucher)

Whilst there's still a message on the VS saying the reward fares are still being updated, so far I'm not seeing any JFK Upper Class rewards higher than 115,000 points but I am seeing them as low as 58,000 points for a return.

The reward seat checker has been updated and now shows the number of points required (which are all one way BTW).

It’s updated.

I have found rates that are quite expensive for flights within 3 weeks or Xmas.

However, I have found a lot of flights at the same rate or even cheaper …. Like a LHR-MCO at 29,000 points one way in Upper Class

[mitchja]

Just spotted a one way LHR>MCO Nov 18th Upper reward for 350,000 points - bargain (not)

I have even found some UC one way LHR-TPA/JFK/MCO for 29k per person

Just spotted a one way LHR>MCO Nov 18th Upper reward for 350,000 points - bargain (not)

Yes but that’s because it’s in a few weeks… search for next year dates.. I have found loads of flights for the same or less in UC

Plus on some flights taxes are cheaper…

LHR-TPA return I found for 2 pax in UC= 161,000 points and £1,680 taxes

[mitchja]

350,000 points does indeed seem to be the maximum number of points required each way.

I'm only picking random destinations. LAX is also showing 350,000 on many dates, though at low as 67,500 on other dates.

Literally the whole month of January practically:

LHR-JFK is 29,000 points one way UC

Return trip to for 2 adults is 116k points and £1340 taxes.
Which I know is off peak but that’s way better than 190,000 and £2k taxes

I have even found a flight one way LhR-MIA 9 December (what was peak season on the old pricing) for 35k in upper class

[mitchja]

£669.29 tax/fess for a JFK return Upper Class Reward in January.

Here's the full breakdown:

Flights

1 Adult 58,000pts
Carrier-imposed International Surcharge (YQ) £350.00
Carbon Surcharge £24.00

Taxes

United States - Immigration and Naturalization Fee £5.40
United States - Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee £4.30
United States - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Fee (APHIS User Fee - Passengers £2.90
United States - Custom User Fee £5.60
United Kingdom - Air Passenger Duty (APD) £194.00
United Kingdom - Passenger Service Charge £48.89
United States - Transportation Tax £34.20
Total Virgin Points 58,000pts
Total taxes £669.29

Booked flights to Boston next September using the old system

Paid 35,000 for Premium and used my voucher to update to Upper.

Today’s Premium Milage cost is 285,000!

The upper milage is only 179,000

What the hell

People are forgetting it is dynamic pricing … since tickets already booked, then it probably will be a higher rate../

But take a look at other dates… 29k one way for many many dates in Jan/Feb/MAy June Aug Sept for UC and cheaper taxes!!!

I have found LHR-LAX in March for 41,000 points in UC. This is saving 26k of points and same taxes…

Yes agree, quite a lot of flights with heavy price tag, but a lot of cheaper tickets as well , even during “peak” times

350,000 points does indeed seem to be the maximum number of points required each way.

I'm only picking random destinations. LAX is also showing 350,000 on many dates, though at low as 67,500 on other dates.

Can beat you.

Edi - Mco 18th June to 4th July. For 1 person in upper. 460,000 miles plus £997



David