V-Flyer

Hi

We want to use miles for two G's to Los Angeles in April 2011. We're going to be there for about three weeks, coming back over Easter. Under the IATA 330 day rule, I gather I can book the Outbound legs 3 weeks earlier than I can the return legs

Now I gather that Virgin miles can be used for single legs - so should I book the outbounds as soon as they become available, then the return leg when they're available?

Are there any disadvantages in having a booking as two single legs rather than returns? - Does this cause problems with Immigration, Travel insurance, or anything else? (I Realise that we may book outbound then not be able to come back on the day we want - but we're flexible so that shouldn't be a problem)

The danger I can see is, and you have touched on it a bit, if no miles seats become available around the dates you want to return. If you can be very flexible if needed, and can return over a week period you should be okay, otherwise you would be left with the option of having to buy a one way fare which would be very pricey.

Immigration wouldn't be an issue, you would be able to prove your return details if they questioned it anyway, and I can't see why it would affect any travel insurance.

Do remember though, that miles seats aren't always released straight at the 330 day window, they sometimes leave it a week or 2 before releasing any, so just keep checking.

Neil

I am with Neil on this one. The huge danger of jumping in and booking outbound legs, is the possibility that no suitable returns will open up.

If you have no other contingency, you will then be left with buying a very expensive one way return.

The agent may be able to advise you of the likelihood of returns opening up, but it is still a gamble IMHO.

Nick

Am I missing something here? Aren't Gs only available something like 220 days before departure anyway?

No. I have booked lots of reward seats at, or just after, the T- 330 day mark from the return.

Nick

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick

If you have no other contingency, you will then be left with buying a very expensive one way return.


A one way return - that's one to confuse people!

I do know what Nick meant though, namely that if no reward seats become available for the return flights and you want to travel in Upper Class, then you'll be forced to buy J fare tickets, which will be very expensive.

James

Just checked mine for this summer and I booked at T-311 days for the return date.

quote:Originally posted by Kraken

A one way return - that's one to confuse people!


Yes - good point, James. I could have worded it better [:I]

A one way ticket for the return leg. [:D]

Nick

You can always buy a one way inbound IT fare through an agent which will be cheaper than a full price J - you just have to have an agent that will sell it to you but itsn't not normally an issue if you are booking car hire or accom through the agent.

I had this issue too. In the end, I waited until the return leg was available, and then bought an outbound UC, and upgraded a inbound Y using miles. It wourked out cheaper than buying a return UC fare.

I also checked everyday for about a month the G fares for the inbound leg, and they were coming up pretty much bang on 330 days everytime, and selling that day.

quote:Originally posted by aspence7
I had this issue too. In the end, I waited until the return leg was available, and then bought an outbound UC, and upgraded a inbound Y using miles. It wourked out cheaper than buying a return UC fare.

I also checked everyday for about a month the G fares for the inbound leg, and they were coming up pretty much bang on 330 days everytime, and selling that day.


The number of G's available for HKG/SYD are much more limited/in demand that say LAX for the OP.

Just thinking about it a bit more. The fact you going to the West Coast, and with the possibility of SFO as an option, with an internal between SFO/LAX should aid your likelihood of getting a full set of return G's booked all together when your return dates are out, rather than risking doing it as 2 way one bookings.

quote:Originally posted by Neil

The number of G's available for HKG/SYD are much more limited/in demand that say LAX for the OP.

Just thinking about it a bit more. The fact you going to the West Coast, and with the possibility of SFO as an option, with an internal between SFO/LAX should aid your likelihood of getting a full set of return G's booked all together when your return dates are out, rather than risking doing it as 2 way one bookings.


That reflects my experience of trying for the West Coast for this summer; the agent was able to offer a number of combinations around LAX/SFO that gave a lot more flexibility and choice of dates than the simple requirement for SFO.

Paul