Page 1 of 1

Using Miles to Reduce Flight Cost

PostPosted: 23 May 2014, 16:53
by spacedyemeerkat
Hello!

I think the answer's 'no', but I thought I'd ask the gurus here anyway.

I have 51496 miles. Looking to book a PE flight to LAX, returning from New York. I can ask the site to use my miles along with cash. When I do that, it uses a few of the miles (7500 per adult) and asks me to pay £990. This is fine but I was wondering if there's a way to spend more of the miles or if there's a way to save more money? My travel dates are fixed in September.

Thanks for any input, much appreciated :D

Re: Using Miles to Reduce Flight Cost

PostPosted: 23 May 2014, 17:21
by preiffer
Call and ask for options of buying an upgradable economy fare and using miles to bump you into the PE cabin.

It won't save you a huge amount, and will use more miles, BUT if the saving is more important than the miles to you, it's worth a try...

Re: Using Miles to Reduce Flight Cost

PostPosted: 23 May 2014, 21:11
by spacedyemeerkat
Thanks - I appreciate that, will have a chat with them.

Re: Using Miles to Reduce Flight Cost

PostPosted: 24 May 2014, 01:32
by joeyc
Agreed with Mr Reiffer.... buying M class ECO fares and upgrade to PE or UC is the best use of miles in my eyes

Bonne Chance 8D

Re: Using Miles to Reduce Flight Cost

PostPosted: 24 May 2014, 07:33
by dickydotcom
Are you being asked to pay £990 each?
If so consider trying to buy the whole thing on miles.
New York return =44000 miles plus £400 taxes
so if there are two of you then you'd need to buy 37000 miles which would cost £570 so total cost to you £1370 for two plus your 51000 miles.
Obviously going to be more for LAX but worth asking.

I think there is 20% bonus at the moment on topping up your miles so it may actually be a £100 less.

Dick D

Re: Using Miles to Reduce Flight Cost

PostPosted: 24 May 2014, 17:38
by northernhenry
Have a look at the fare breakdown on a fully purchased ticket. Important, so you can actually see what proportion of the fare cost is being used with your miles.

i.e. your miles will only cover the base fare, not the tax or the Virgin administered fuel surcharge- which accounts for the bulk of the fare.

This is why you are still presented with a hefty cost even using your miles.