V-Flyer

I have been checking the VA web site trying to book 2 UC reward fares to either Orlando or Las Vegas any time between early October and late November.There appears to be nothing available at all for Vegas and any Orlando availability is based on a couple of weeks between departure & return. We are only looking for 3 or 4 night stay.

Anyone know if things sometimes free up closer to possible departure ?

Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks


oldboy

The likelihood now is that if any reward seat will open up, it will be only in the last few days before the flight. We are flying to MCO at the end of October and whilst there have been some outbound seats, the whole of November for the return has been unavailable for a long while. It is worth checking on a regular basis though, as you never know.

With both these routes been on the low UC config a/c, you really do need to be looking to book around the 9-11month out mark. The number of reward seats are very limited and go quickly.

Neil

Im in the same boat as you oldboy reward seats are real hard too come by at the moment, i suspect rewards may get released but i wouldnt count on it for your dates required, as these routes are notoriously hard to get rewards on due too popularity.
However the loads look light for these months (las) so they may release late.

cheers

alex

Neil wrote:The likelihood now is that if any reward seat will open up, it will be only in the last few days before the flight. We are flying to MCO at the end of October and whilst there have been some outbound seats, the whole of November for the return has been unavailable for a long while. It is worth checking on a regular basis though, as you never know.

With both these routes been on the low UC config a/c, you really do need tonbe looking to book around the 9-11month out mark. The number of reward seats are very limited and go quickly.

Neil

Neil your like a wippet you beat me to it ii)

cheers

alex

Agree with what Neil(edit - and now Alex ) have said, but I would also be tempted to ring VS - the website has been extremely flaky recently when it comes to all types of availability - especially reward seats.

As Neil has already pointed out, there is rarely much UC reward availability on these routes, due to the low number of seats on the a/c, but you never know.

Nick

Alex V wrote:Im in the same boat as you oldboy reward seats are real hard too come by at the moment, i suspect rewards may get released but i wouldnt count on it for your dates required, as these routes are notoriously hard to get rewards on due too popularity.
However the loads look light for these months (las) so they may release late.

cheers

alex

I'm not sure about MCO loads being light. Our flight at the end of October is busy and my parents are flying out at the start of November are their flight is very full. Our return flights mid November is full also.

Have you looked at MIA as an option for MCO? More rewards available on those flights due to the bigger UC cabin.

You could try for SFO or LAX then fly from there to LAS.

Or to MIA instead of Orlando.

Both have been suggested in response to this dilema.

Not totally ideal but worth considering.

Thanks for such prompt replies.

Looks like we may have to opt for a few days in New York.

I guess it could be worse.


Thanks again.


oldboy

Neil wrote:

Alex V wrote:However the loads look light for these months (las) so they may release late.

alex

Have you looked at MIA as an option for MCO? More rewards available on those flights due to the bigger UC cabin.

I was really commenting on LAS when i said that but thanks all the same y) .
Thanks for the other route option neil thats exactly my route next month and all on Gs .
So i guess the best advice to oldboy is.....book early

cheers

alex

Remember to check out Man departures for MCO flights. I booked one last week for this Thursday with loads of choice on the outbound but a little limited on the return.

As Nick has said, don't always trust the web site as it is more than a little "flakey" at the moment.

Infact that makes quite a few reward upper fares to MCO this year. 2 return in feb, 2 outbound in May and 1 return this week. Of course it means the miles account has taken a bit of a hit , but as I have said before, these are more of a case of us fitting in with the availabilty rather than the other way round.

David

Hi Oldboy,

We have mangaged to get two UCS reward fares for Vegas in early December. The flight is showing as a LHR plane with more UCS, so that may be the reason we got them!

Danny

Neil wrote:Our flight at the end of October is busy...

Not in UC, Neil - only 4 seats booked.
PE and Y are busy.

With luck we might have op-ups!

Result, just managed to find 2 UC reward seats to Orlando in 3rd Week of November.

Thanks to everyone for your assistance.


oldboy

Bill S wrote:

Neil wrote:Our flight at the end of October is busy...

Not in UC, Neil - only 4 seats booked.
PE and Y are busy.

With luck we might have op-ups!

Fingers crossed 8D

oldboy wrote:Result, just managed to find 2 UC reward seats to Orlando in 3rd Week of November.

Nice one! ^)