V-Flyer

So I have collected 400k in miles since September. I'd love to go to LA next Xmas, on 27th, for a week. There are four of us. What's the chances? And best plan?

All you can do is check on a daily basis when flights are released, there really isn't a plan or best way to go about it. They might release some straight away, the might release some another date between them going on sale and the date of the flight, they might not release any at all.

Reward seats and their release are a great mystery in the main.

richardswife28 wrote:So I have collected 400k in miles since September.

400K ? In less than 3 months? We are not worthy oo) Took me bl**dy years

You might need to be a bit flexible such as two of you flying out one day and two the next or two flying direct and two via SFO

I guess four Gs on the same route is not impossible but you'd have to be pretty lucky!

400k since September - wow, you deserve a reward for that

400K in 3 months, wow! Oh, was richardswife1 already taken or ...?

I did it mainly by opening a black credit card, using tesco, shops away, my husband flew to Malaysia twice on business, I did buy 50k too as I think for the LA upper prices its still much cheaper. We are high income so I guess if putting all spends on Amex and using hotels.com whenever we travel.....

I also booked our NYC trip (just landed today home! Flew upper, got cheap upgrade from premium at airprt.....amazing!) through VH, so that's 12k miles.

I bought all my Xmas presents through shops away too. We both opened a black card so got 20k each fr that. It adds up!

In terms of using miles, we have 400 now and are still building....for example flying virgin PE to Oz next aug as silver members....so to actually use them I might book some trips for just two of us otherwise we will never get the seats we need, especially as travelling in school hols. For example, just me and Richard to Cape Town for a few nights....

LAX has the advantage of 2 flights a day (most of the time) so twice the chance. You'll probably have to split up, but at least the advance guard can get the hotel sorted and the second flight can just jog up when ready.

That's helpful, thanks...didn't know that. Richard can always go alone think he'd prefer it that way given that darling daughter and mother in law travelling

In terms of grabbing these, I think it's best to call as I want a connecting VA flight from MAN.......is it just the booking number ou call or is it a specific rewards telephone number? My dates should be out anyway as we want to fly 27 or 28 dec.

richardswife28 wrote:In terms of grabbing these, I think it's best to call as I want a connecting VA flight from MAN.......is it just the booking number ou call or is it a specific rewards telephone number? My dates should be out anyway as we want to fly 27 or 28 dec.

No specific number, just call the general reservations number.

If you're booking UC then call the premier / gold line - faster response, better service.

slinky09 wrote:If you're booking UC then call the premier / gold line - faster response, better service.

Well in theory, although I have had some rubbish premier team CS experiences and some fabulous general reservation ones, so it can be a little bit luck of the draw, but you do tend to get through quicker.

slinky09 wrote:If you're booking UC then call the premier / gold line - faster response, better service.

True. Even though I as far from Gold as it's possible to be, whenever I've booked UC rewards (either full mileage or an upgrade) I've used that line.

Just as an update.....it can, and has been done! After daily checking our flights were released, flying upper on 27 dec to LAX and home from San Fran on 6 jan! That's three seats, two adults one child. Total cost inc MAN to LHR Virgin flights £2k. Looking at those seats to buy, it's about 30k. Crazy.

Thank to all at vflyer for helping us get there!!

Well done, it's a great feeling when it all comes together. ^)

I wish some of the negative posters on the VS Facebook Page would read this and realise that reward flights are available - flexibility and patience being the magic ingredients! y)

Jacki wrote:Well done, it's a great feeling when it all comes together. ^)

I wish some of the negative posters on the VS Facebook Page would read this and realise that reward flights are available - flexibility and patience being the magic ingredients! y)

Ssssssh! Don't tell everybody!

Thanks! To be honest we got our dates without spitting up with no problem...the only thing we had to be flexible about was coming back from San Fran not LAX but as we've never been and Richard really wants to do Alcatraz we've just built it into our hol.....last two nights there.

Depending on your dates try and do the night tout of Alcatraz rather than an ordinary day one. You can book via the officual Alcatraz US national park official website ( will post proper link later). The night tour is pretty popular so get in early!


And well done on getting what you wanted. It shows flexibility and persistence pays off !

(BTW what happened to Richards wives numbers 1-27 ? Lol)

They got DVT from flying economy Actually 28 is the date we got married!

Night tour might do very well especially as is just Richard, DD would be terrified so I will stay at hotel with room service with her. Thanks for the tip!

richardswife28 wrote:Just as an update.....it can, and has been done! After daily checking our flights were released, flying upper on 27 dec to LAX and home from San Fran on 6 jan! That's three seats, two adults one child. Total cost inc MAN to LHR Virgin flights £2k. Looking at those seats to buy, it's about 30k. Crazy.

Thank to all at vflyer for helping us get there!!

Out of interest, how many miles did this cost?

richardswife28 wrote:
Looking at those seats to buy, it's about 30k. Crazy.

!

Where on earth did you did you get 30'k from (presuming you meant £30,000) ?| ? 3 x adult Zs are sub £10,000 on those dates ....
DL

richardswife28 wrote:
Night tour might do very well especially as is just Richard, DD would be terrified so I will stay at hotel with room service with her. Thanks for the tip!

I second Tonty's recommendation to take the night tour and to book early. It can get very atmospheric on the island and on the trip as the mist rolls in, so not recommended for those of a nervous disposition. It can also get cold, even if the day has been warm. A few pictures from a day in August a couple of years ago at the tail end of this TR.

The one way cash fares for UC LHR to LAX were £6k each when I looked. It cost 300k miles for all of us.

It looks like you can only book 90 days ahead for the tour, but it's in the diary now to book around beginning oct, thanks for the help on this. It's definately something just for DH, I wouldn't sleep for weeks after!