V-Flyer

So I'm very close to retaining Au (going to be close depending on US Amex spend before July), and was coming back from Madrid to Boston via Philadelphia today (to get the partner tier points of course).

I asked at the transfer desk about upgrading to First. Snapped off their hand when they said $50 for Row 1 and lounge access.

Bargain, I think.

Yep, just be sure to keep a close eye on your FC statement as US is next to useless ordinarily, once you throw an upgrade into the mix your going to end up having to mail stuff.

Last time, tier points posted to FC account automatically, although did have to fight with Madrid check-in to input VS FC number.

This time, saw it on every boarding pass and at online check-in, but will keep an eye out...first leg from Saturday has already posted.

I and other VS flyers have fought US Scareways as well over inputing the FC number into the US reservations system. Be careful.

$50 for a tier point is a bargain. But, FYI, if you are upgrading from a Y seat, your mileage and tier point credit will most likely be from your base Y fare. In other words, you might not get the extra tier point. Did you check with FC on this?

Check the fare code against the T&C's

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/frequent ... itions.jsp

I have found that with VX you only get the TP for the class of the original ticket. Even when you pay up to 1st at check-in.
When I buy a 1st to start with then I get the extra TP.
Italso seems to be very ht and miss if you get any credits at all !

US is strange in this regards, sometimes they post the extra TP, sometimes they don't, there is no pattern to it at all.

I have always had US airways miles come up ok in my account, usually after 2-3 weeks. However, I also have had to battle to get the check in staff to accept putting the FC club card into the system. Most of them think that if its not *A then they can't accept it.