Want to Fly JFK-LHR/LGW-JFK in UC This June

I am a DL Gold Medallion and am thrilled that I can now earn MQMs with VS. In the past, flying to the UK has meant hubbing through CVG or ATL, not to awful on the outbound, but hell on the return. I prefer to avoid CO and EWR and would rather fly out of JFK.

I am looking to fly to London this June on VS in an UC Suite. I have to return on a Friday and would like best to depart the US the previous Sunday. On the out bound, I can also leave as early as Friday or Saturday in the event the extra days reduce the airfare.

My firm will pay for PE but not for UC unless I can score a UC sale in the $2000 area. I have plenty of AMEX points and can transfer 40K points from Amex to my new VS Flying Club number. As I understand it, PE must be booked in S or better in order to facilitate the upgrade. Any other ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[mcmbenjamin]

Could call VS to see if there is G avial to upgrade and book the PE ticket then so you know you can upgrade. You can transfer the AmEx point quickly while on the phone with VS if you are logged on to your Amex account.

[ChuckC]

Hi avflyer,
Welcome aboard V-Flyer. We're glad you're with us.

Why not take someone along with you? You could check the availability of a companion upgrade with VS, and split the cost of the one ticket you must buy. Your company would then only be on the hook for a single ticket, and two happy people would be enjoying London.

Chuck-

[mcmbenjamin]

Good point ChuckC. Would make for a cheap trip assuming the company pays for the hotel too

Thanks to all for the feedback but I could use just a little more advice. I checked with VS. My JFK-LHR outbound dates are flexible (3 possible travel days). My return is not. On my outbound date, G inventory (using miles to upgrade to Upper Class) is all gone. On my return date, there is availability but not on the earliest flight.

What are the chances of securing an upgrade (using miles) the day of departure. Currently, the ideal outbound flight is only 1/4 full up front? Who do I need to dazzle to get the outbound?

Hello av,
When are you flying? G seats may open up a few days prior to flying--and if you have an S class PE ticket, you can snare a UC seat as soon as it pops up. If there's no joy there, and still UC availability, you should have a good chance of using miles at check-in (get there early!).
RR

roadrunner, I am flying out on a Saturday night, June 17 and as it turns out, will have meetings Sunday morning shortly after arrival. A UC suite would really do the body and soul wonders. My main question is, if it comes down to begging for the upgrade a check in, who is the one that actually has authority to grant the upgrade? I frequent Delta and day of departure upgrades do not exist. They never...ever happen unless coach is oversold and you get very lucky.

As for me, I will be moving miles from my American Express account into my VS Flyer's Club account. I would hate to move 20K miles for an upgrade I might not get. Furthermore, I would also be paying a little bit more for a PE S fare and again would rather save a few bucks if the upgrade is for naught.

I just don't have enough data to give me an idea as to my chances here.