V-Flyer

My family of three are planning to meet my in-laws next summer in the UK. We've flown VA before and - of course - we can't wait to do it again.

I purchased three tix for my family and the two for my in-laws. I expected to claim all the generated mile points (we have a 10-year old travelling, so I000 know I do not get miles for that fare) to go on my FC account. I have discovered that is not the case.

The only miles I am supposed to be credited are the miles from my ticket alone, none of the three other adult fares I purchased. I was told "you do not get miles from a ticket that does not have your name on it." Really..?

I'm not bitter - I'm still a loyal customer but we spent $12K+ for tix - I was surprised to find that VA has such strict rules about awarding the miles generated.

Did I understand this correctly..?

--norcalflyer

Yes, you have understood correctly.

Each pax earns miles for themselves only, this is something that is standard in the airline industry, not unique to VS.

Neil

Our kids earn their own miles when we fly American airlines which is useful

If any member of your group is not a flying club member already, you can earn extra miles by recommending them to join otherwise it is pretty standard for any airlines that only the person flying can earn miles for themselves. It doesn't matter who paid the tickets.

You could earn some bonus miles by refering the adults to FC via a link in your FC account (miles more friends) and then attaching their FC numbers (when they join) to the booking . After the flight you will then get the referral bonus. This is as good as you will be able to get.

The bonus is 2,000, 5,000 or 10,000 miles depending on travel class.

Neil wrote:Yes, you have understood correctly.

Each pax earns miles for themselves only, this is something that is standard in the airline industry, not unique to VS.

Neil

This is normal throughout the industry, but I know that Emirates allow people to claim miles on behalf of other family members tickets - you don't get the whole amount of the miles credited though, it's something quite miserly like 20% of what the person would have earned if they had the miles credited to their own account.

norcalflyer wrote:I purchased three tix for my family and the two for my in-laws. I expected to claim all the generated mile points (we have a 10-year old travelling, so I000 know I do not get miles for that fare) to go on my FC account. I have discovered that is not the case.
-norcalflyer

If this family travel is likely to be regular.....
BA may suit better as they, amongst others, appreciate the concept of seats with kids in them (i.e. at least the % of the miles for the $ paid), And also the concept of household accounts, which may help in this instance..
At least in 2 years time your child will be recognised in VS world....
In the meantime a pet in the cargo bay will gain you more reward than a thousand dollars spent on a full size seat. |:)
We travel VS predominately as a couple, but have started planning elsewhere for future family trips, as another 6 years of no rewards is too long. v(

Sorry this sounds bitter and appreciate the tickets are already bought. But if you are looking to maximise the reward for buying multiple family tickets and having them in a format that will want you coming back for more....... :w

All -

I sincerely appreciate the information. Tough to swallow, but I understand business. What can I say - like everyone else I would love to stockpile miles in the most efficient way possible. Too bad that in this circumstance money does not talk.

Cheers!

--norcalflyer

Without reading the thread fully so sorry if someone's already said it, but you CAN transfer points between accounts.

Go into My Acccount and click "Buy & Transer Miles". Transaction fee of £15 applies though so not sure if it's worth it?

Yes there is a transaction fee of £15 to transfer miles, but you also have to pay a charge per 1000 miles that you transfer - it's not as expensive as buying miles, but IMO it's not worth it unless you are desperate for a few thousand miles to get a reward booking done.

scnickr wrote:Without reading the thread fully so sorry if someone's already said it, but you CAN transfer points between accounts.

Go into My Acccount and click "Buy & Transer Miles". Transaction fee of £15 applies though so not sure if it's worth it?

Thats not correct. Yes there is a £ 15 fee but that is included in the cost of the miles

For 30k miles

Buy £ 465
Gift £ 465
Transfer £ 240

What the OP wanted was be given ALL the miles for the tickets he bought not just the ones for his own ticket.

That's correct. I was hoping ALL the miles would be mine. My eyes were spinning pretty good there for a minute...

Dreams are free.

--norcalflyer