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How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 30 Nov 2012, 00:23
by Trevski220
Having recently learned that an M fare is now upgradeable with miles, can anyone tell me how to search for one online? my normal method of searching under flying club upgrades only offers L,Y,R,B, Fares.

Many thanks Trev

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 30 Nov 2012, 00:47
by at240
I'm sure the VS search will be altered in due course to allow this.

In the meantime you could use the ITA matrix search.

E.g. For a trip to NY use the following as departure and destination codes:
LHR::VS/f bc=m
NYC::VS/f bc=m

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 30 Nov 2012, 00:56
by Trevski220
at240 wrote:I'm sure the VS search will be altered in due course to allow this.

In the meantime you could use the ITA matrix search.

E.g. For a trip to NY use the following as departure and destination codes:
LHR::VS/f bc=m
NYC::VS/f bc=m



Thanks and congrats on your 1000th post!!

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 30 Nov 2012, 14:59
by joeyc
at240 wrote:I'm sure the VS search will be altered in due course to allow this.

In the meantime you could use the ITA matrix search.

E.g. For a trip to NY use the following as departure and destination codes:
LHR::VS/f bc=m
NYC::VS/f bc=m


Sound advice to reflect upon your 1000 posts y) y) y)

^) ^) Speech ^) ^)

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 30 Nov 2012, 18:20
by Trevski220
Just google ITA matrix, I didn't know what it was either but it comes up right at top of google search, and it lets you check relevant fare codes and pricing

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 30 Nov 2012, 18:30
by joeyc
Trevski220 wrote:Just google ITA matrix, I didn't know what it was either but it comes up right at top of google search, and it lets you check relevant fare codes and pricing


Yet another little nugget I have learned through v-flyer oo) oo)

Quick question though.. with 'M' being the sixth highest.. what about 'U' fares?? - as fifth highest surely miles can upgrade this one too, can't they ?|

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 30 Nov 2012, 21:24
by at240
joeyc wrote:Quick question though.. with 'M' being the sixth highest.. what about 'U' fares?? - as fifth highest surely miles can upgrade this one too, can't they ?|


Yes they can: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/frequentflyer/spendmiles/upgrade_table.jsp

y)

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 16 Dec 2012, 21:21
by mtyrrell
I had no idea you could do this! Thanks for the info :D

One question thought...

I looked for a return flight from EWR to LHR with M fare, which comes to $1,171. I also checked to ensure that there is UC reward availability for those flights, which there is. On the face of it, it looks like I would therefore spend $1,171 and 40k miles to get an UC return, and still get air miles and tier points for the flight (based on the economy ticket).

What confuses me, is if I just booked the flight as a full reward ticket in UC, it would cost $1,127 in tax/fees/surcharges and 80k which is only about $45 less than the above, however would cost double the miles and I wouldn't earn any air miles or tier points from the flight.

This doesn't seem to add up to me so... Do you get wholloped with additional taxes/fees/surcharges at the point of using the 40k miles to upgrade? If so, does anyone know roughly how much?

Thanks!

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 16 Dec 2012, 22:01
by Neil
Yes, you will have to pay the relevant taxes surcharges in addition to your M fare if you upgrade to UC with miles. It's best/easiest to call VS to find out what the exact total would be.

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2012, 09:59
by pmramsay
i have figures out how to use the ITA matrix but struggling to find any G seats for the LGW to CUN route. I have been using

VS / f bc=g

I can find plenty of M class fares using VS / f bc=m

Does anyone know if not many G class get released for these flights? Looking at booking soon and if no upgrade seats come available id rather not wait too long.

Thanks!

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2012, 18:43
by mitchja
Welcome to V-Flyer :) unfortunately, VS do not show reward fares via their GDS system (which the ITA matrix uses).

The only way to search for VS reward fares is to do dummy reward bookings using the VS website.

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2012, 19:35
by tontybear
pmramsay wrote:
Does anyone know if not many G class get released for these flights? Looking at booking soon and if no upgrade seats come available id rather not wait too long.

Thanks!


There are only 14 UC seats on the LGW 767 fleet and as the CUN route has become very popular Gs will be hard to find.

As mitchja says the only way to find VS G availability is to do dummy bookings and be flexible with your dates.

Re: How to search for an M fare

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2012, 23:24
by pmramsay
Thanks for the replies. I had a go using the reward seat tool earlier and cannot find any reward seats on that route at all for the next 12 months. Guessing that they don't open them up on this route. What I may consider is paying z out and s back and trying to upgrade at the airport on the way back if there is availability.