V-Flyer

Virgin will codeshare whith America West on the following routes

Los Angeles - Las Vegas
Los Angeles - Phoenix
San Francisco - Las Vegas
San Francisco - Phoenix
Las Vegas - San Diego
JFK - Los Angeles
JFK - Las Vegas
Washington - Phoenix

Starting on 26th July using flight number range VS2000 - VS2999

Excellent news

Does this mean extra FC miles? Am flying HP from LAS to SAN in October (although only 1 way).

FC members have been able to get a point per mile for a long time with HP. We also get a tier point for flights >2k miles (e.g. BOS - LAS or PHX ).

Will the new code shares make any practical difference? Will we be able to book them via the VS website?

I have always found HP's VisitUSA fares take some beating for the longer transcontinental flights.

Nick

Hi,

I wonder if it could mean extra tier points if booked under the VS code ( ie even some for Y <2000miles).

Of course the Codeshares may only be applicable if connecting to/from a VS flight so if you stay a few days in SFO then fly HP to LAS you could not get a VS coded flight?

Need to wait and see I guess

Regards

TBS

quote:Originally posted by The_Banking_Scot

Of course the Codeshares may only be applicable if connecting to/from a VS flight so if you stay a few days in SFO then fly HP to LAS you could not get a VS coded flight?

Yes thats right, just like the BD/VS codeshare (VS4000 range)

I am in SFO clubhouse right now, and can confirm that the check in agents at LAS were not only able to check my baggage straight through to LHR (via SFO), but also check me in for VS20, and issue me with a boarding pass!

Apparently I was the first VS customer at LAS to do this, and the check in agent was pleased to see that the "t-line" (computer talk - I do not understand this!) to VS was operative!

Full trip report etc to follow, but those suites sure are good!

For those who want to tour around the US on HP after arriving on VS, HP offers some decent first class fares, either one-way or return. You can view the fares on the America West website. I would think that flying F on HP would result in a higher VS mileage posting, correct?

Regards,
Chuck-

Earning on HP is as follows:

Miles earned :
First Class 150% of miles flown
Economy Class 100% of miles flown
Miles will be issued to flying club members when travelling in the following qualifying classes:
First Class: F
Economy Class: Y, H, W, B, Q, L, K, V, M
A qualifying minimum credit of 500 miles will be credited for each flight.

Nick

Thanks, Nick. HP has been involved in a renaissance of sorts for the last year or so and has really turned into a decent carrier. I took HP recently for a quick business trip to Washington, DC from Palm Springs and had good flights and easy connections in both directions. I bought a return confirmed seat in "F" for about US150 more than buying the available coach fare and paying for upgrade coupons. A decent deal for a last-minute trip. Many HP flights connect via Phoenix as did this one; I had a 757 outbound and an A320 on the return; legroom was fine, staff pleasant.

That said, the food is typical US carrier -- boring, boring and more boring. But at least there are VS points to "help the medicine go down".

Regards,
Chuck-

I think I'm right in saying that, where a complete journey involves a connection, each flight is treated seperately for miles and tier points. This was certainly my experience for a SFO to ORD vis LAS journey last month - an advantage in terms of miles (because of the 500 mile minimum), but maybe not so good if you're concerned about tier points.

quote:Originally posted by Richard28
I am in SFO clubhouse right now, and can confirm that the check in agents at LAS were not only able to check my baggage straight through to LHR (via SFO), but also check me in for VS20, and issue me with a boarding pass!

Apparently I was the first VS customer at LAS to do this, and the check in agent was pleased to see that the "t-line" (computer talk - I do not understand this!) to VS was operative!

Full trip report etc to follow, but those suites sure are good!

Hmmh, interesting. I flew HP from LAS to SFO at the end of may, they checked my luggage in all the way to LHR and also issued me my boarding pass for my SFO-LHR flight.

When I arrived at the SFO CLubhouse, the boardign pass was changed from AmWest paper to VS paper....

Thanks
Richard