V-Flyer

Just wanted to run a strategy passed you all to check that I have considered everything.

During my flying club year 2008/9 my wife and I were lucky enough to both make Gold Status. This is obviously something we would like to keep, but will not break the bank in doing so. We plan to take 4 flights before next April (3x to UK and 1x transatlantic). Between us we also have around 170,000 miles.

My plan is that one of us keeps Gold status by booking revenues flights (PE/Upper) whilst the other takes as many mileage flights as possible (at least 2) to even out costs. One of us will therefore keep Gold so as a couple we can still make use of facilities such as clubhouses.

Other than availability for mileage flights, can anyone foresee any other problems with this strategy?

Thanks

The only problem I can see is divorce [:0], other than that you have it set up pretty well. Of course the normal rule of be flexible with the travel dates apply.

Just remember to keep the revenue portions in your name...You know, just in case [:w]

The only thing that immediately springs to mind is that the wife will not be able to use Revivals unless she is ticketed in Upper, otherwise I cant see any issues. You could look at companion fares as well, and do be prepared that there may not be reward flights available when you want to fly.

It is worth thinking about how much flying you intend to do and in what classes, just to be sure that you are not busting a gut to retain status when you are not perhaps reaping the benefits from it, although I guess once you have had it, it can be hard to come back down to general departures [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

Agree with Sarah.

If you are a regular UC traveller - what benefit (apart from the bonus miles) does your Gold card give you?

If you are a regular Y / PE passenger, then the gold card is a real boon. The CH and Revivals entry make it a very nice bit of plastic to have. The downside, if you travel regularly as a couple, is the lack of guest entry to Revivals.

Nick

Sounds a good strategy. A few possibles ;

- If you have any non-Virgin travel (maybe Gulf Air ?) then you can earn TP's and miles on partner airlines.
- It's worth looking at the lowest upgradable Economy or PE classes and upgrading using miles sometimes, as an alternative to a wholly miles flights. It can be that the higher cost is worth it for the net miles (and TPs) gained.
- Do Virgin Atlantic have a credit card partner in UAE ? The US card lets you earn TPs as well as miles.

As a last suggestion, if you or your wife have a company/business it might be worth setting up a Flying Co account. You need to have 2 travellers and 20,000 miles flown in a year to retain the account, but with the travel you'd listed you may find that you earn enough for at least an upgrade or CDC. Flying Co used to be very limited as you only earned flying co miles for full fare tickets, but now you can earn on flying co for pretty much any VS revenue ticket it's far more worthwhile.

Thank you all for your comments.

Dave guess who will keep the gold status

Sarah/Nick/ Gameswolverine PE is our normal class, although if possible we upgrade or buy z tickets for night flights. Good point about the Revivals Lounge as I had not considered its use. To date, we have never had a flight that arrives when this lounge is open, but worth bearing in mind.

We should return to the UK, using VS, at least 3 times a year for the next few years and then any additional holidays we take (SQ fly to several places from the UAE, with a few being potential Gold Runs). Although Gulf Air, and their safety record, frightens me.

Obtaining Gold really was a one off and it probably would not be possible to obtain 40 tier points again. Hopefully between us using this strategy we can earn and continue to earn the 30 points we require. For example I am looking at a New England in the Fall/New York State trip, into BOS out of EWR. My ticket (PE out Upper return) is about 1100, Sheilas mileage ticket, which is available (only paying taxes) is around 250. So for 1350 (675 each) we get an Upper return for the price of K class tickets. I also get the 8 tier points.

I have maintained my UK Amex and have a local Amex card. Not sure how many miles I will earn here. Its a cash society in many respects and they make up their own rules; a low spending limit on a no limit card!!!!!

I will look at Y fares and upgrades but life would not be worth living if I sat in the front and Mrs C at the back. From experience is obtaining upgrades say on the day of travel successful?

No unfortunately, we dont have a company I am a currently humble employee. However could you please forward me further information, it may be worth considering for the future.

With the upgrades, if there is a G reward seat showing as available then you would potentially have the option to either use all miles for it, or pay for the lowest fare Economy (often L) and then use miles to get a guaranteed upgrade. It will cost more but sometimes the net gain in miles (and TP) might be worth it to you.

The Flying Co information is here.

Good luck with the plans







Edit by mod to shorten link.........Nick

Thanks gameswolverine