V-Flyer

Firstly - apologies. I thought I just posted this but it seems to have disappeared!

I'm thinking of booking a codeshare - to get a better price than if I book with VS. Expedia has a codeshare between Continental and VS - my understanding from you good folk and those at UC is that if I book a codeshare, then all things are equal - VS is shown as operating the flight, so it looks like I'd get airmiles/tier points and ch access. I wonder though, whether it's better to book via expedia or continental themselves? I'll need to get the virgin reference so I can claim airmiles, but would Continental provide this or would expedia be the better people to provide this? Are they likely to change the flight after I've booked it? How about tickets - would they be e-tickets?

You can put your FC number(s) into Expedia - as part of your profile (I have 3 FF numbers in mine). As part of the booking process you then select the most approriate FF programme that you are a member of. I've never had any problems with this getting through to the airlines. You get a booking ref and e-ticket number from expedia and my experence is that these work on VS 'manage my bookings'. Though they may take upto 24-48 hrs to come through.

The only issue I can see is that you need to book the right flight in the first place by checking the code share numbers. Expedia is good at this - hover your mouse over the symbol that looks a bit like the old british rail logo and it will say 'operated by XXX'.

Do Contiental charge CC fees for booking? Expedia don't. More likely to get cashback (e.g. via cashback kings or quidco) from expedia than continental if you are into that.

Tickets - yes e-tickets.

Changes to the flight - what do you mean? All flights are subject to change and you have the same rights as booking with Expedia as you would via Continental or Virgin direct. Only issue I can see sf that if the flight is cancelled then Continental will probbaly try and rebook you onto its own metal rather than VS metal and you won't be able to demand a VS flight.

Thanks Tonty, for an very comprehensive answer to all my questions - that's all very helpful and reassuring. I hadn't realised that Expedia don't charge cc fees, which is a bonus!

I get what you mean about checking the codeshare numbers - it was actually doing this that alerted me to the fact it was codeshared with VS and made me sit up in amazement at the price difference.

I guess I was thinking about if the flight were cancelled, what would happen then - but yeah, that'd just be something I'd have to swallow.

Again - thanks. It's always comforting to be able to get sound advice here ^) i)

You will definitely get miles and CH access. I'm not sure what the policy is right now on tier points. You might earn at the CO rate instead of the VS rate - it's been a long time since I did this but I think it used to be CO rules. Might be worth digging through the T&Cs to make sure if this is something you care about.