V-Flyer

Hi All,

I'm taking my other half to New York for a post Xmas treat and I've saved up enough miles for an UC return for two (160k). I'm looking to go for 5 ish nights on either 26th or 27th Dec.

I've had a look at what's available at the moment in terms of mileage seats and only PE seats are free on the 26th to Newark with nothing at all on the 27th. I could return UC from Newark on 31st though.

I know that availability can sometimes change on a daily basis for "miles" seats, so my question is should I wait to see if UC availability becomes available on 26th or 27th or should just I just book the PE ones now? I really wanted to the Full UC experience from Heathrow, but I also don't want to wait too long that there ends up being no availability. I also wanted JKF but I guess you can't have everything!!

What does everyone think? I've never travelled at this time of year before so I'm not sure how busy that period is.

Thanks is advance

Book the PE now and keep checking, it's easy to upgrade to UC should seats become available.

It is a very busy period for travel to NYC with leisure pax, although the number of business travellers will be much less than usual.

There is nothing to stop you booking PE miles seats now and then upgrading if UC opens up later on.

Waiting for UC means you might miss out even on PE.

Perhaps a long shot, but IAD has UC reward availability round trip for the dates you're looking for. Enjoy a nice train ride? Hah.

On a side note, if you end up flying to JFK on the 28th we have two lounge passes for the VS25!

Thanks guys. I think I'll jump on the PE on 26th with UC return on 31st. I don't want to risk not being able to get anything! I'll just keep an eye on the outward and hope some UC availability is released.

Colin

Keep checking every day!

NYLON wrote:Keep checking every day!

A few times a day if you can as seats come and go at no particular time.
Dick D

Also phone FC, sometimes they can see reward seats that aren't visible on the website.

Def ring FC, they had availability for 3 consecutive days for 4 UC seats out of New York that were not showing at all on the website when I rang yesterday morning.

I'll give them a shout then to see. I've booked the PE on the 26/12 at 08.45 to JFK. Coming back from Newark on the 31/12 at 20.30 UC.......

Which brings me onto a slightly different question. I've never flown on the A340-600 so was wondering which two UC seats would be best for a couple? At the moment the seat map is showing all seats available to book.....

Thanks again guys. Can't wait as it's an Xmas present to my g/f and I'm not telling her until Xmas day!

Colinabbott wrote:I'll give them a shout then to see. I've booked the PE on the 26/12 at 08.45 to JFK. Coming back from Newark on the 31/12 at 20.30 UC.......

Which brings me onto a slightly different question. I've never flown on the A340-600 so was wondering which two UC seats would be best for a couple? At the moment the seat map is showing all seats available to book.....

Thanks again guys. Can't wait as it's an Xmas present to my g/f and I'm not telling her until Xmas day!

What a great Xmas pressie ,try and get high As or low K's so you are facing the wall and not another passenger

Must commend you on a great Christmas present...only think to be careful of is 1) She has a valid passport 2) You apply for ESTA on her behalf in advance

Great work on securing those flights Now the obsessive search for the outbound G starts on an hourly basis........no...is that just me

Nope it's not just you!! Lol

10a and 11a is what I'd go for

FLYERZ wrote:Must commend you on a great Christmas present...only think to be careful of is 1) She has a valid passport 2) You apply for ESTA on her behalf in advance

Doing our ETSA's later this week. We did have them but they expired about 6 months ago!

Petmadness wrote:Great work on securing those flights Now the obsessive search for the outbound G starts on an hourly basis........no...is that just me

Haha, nope probably me too actually!!! I thought such an early flight on Boxing Day would be relatively quiet, but maybe not....

Colinabbott wrote:Haha, nope probably me too actually!!! I thought such an early flight on Boxing Day would be relatively quiet, but maybe not....

I was surprised as to how busy it was on that day some years ago.

I guess it's the obvious day to fly for families who want a winter break but who want/need to spend Christmas at home or with relatives.

And of course for the vast majority of the world's population it's just a normal day.

gumshoe wrote:And of course for the vast majority of the world's population it's just a normal day.

OT, but: I don't think that's true, gumtree. By a very long way, Christmas Day (on 25 December in most instances, but also January 6/7 for the Orthodox) is a holiday (secular or sacred) across the vast majority of the world (including massively populous countries like India).

NYLON wrote:

gumshoe wrote:And of course for the vast majority of the world's population it's just a normal day.

OT, but: I don't think that's true, gumtree. By a very long way, Christmas Day (on 25 December in most instances, but also January 6/7 for the Orthodox) is a holiday (secular or sacred) across the vast majority of the world (including massively populous countries like India).

While about one third of the world is Christian, you have to add secular observance as noted but I wouldn't say a vast majority either way. Probably closer to half.

Still means I can't find Gs to NYC either way!

NYLON wrote:By a very long way, Christmas Day (on 25 December in most instances, but also January 6/7 for the Orthodox) is a holiday (secular or sacred) across the vast majority of the world (including massively populous countries like India).

That may well be but the discussion was about the 26th which AFAIK isn't a holiday outside certain parts of the Commonwealth and western Europe.

Well, the constant checking paid off as I just noticed that 2 G's opened up on the outbound flight, so a quick call to FC and I'm all upgraded

Another quick question - we're being dropped off at the airport by a friend, is it still ok to use the drive through check in? Never used it before so wasn't sure if it was exclusive to people using the chauffeur.

Colinabbott wrote:Well, the constant checking paid off as I just noticed that 2 G's opened up on the outbound flight, so a quick call to FC and I'm all upgraded

Another quick question - we're being dropped off at the airport by a friend, is it still ok to use the drive through check in? Never used it before so wasn't sure if it was exclusive to people using the chauffeur.

Congratulations!

Yes you can use the DTCI. You will need to ring the FC to arrange a time and give the make, model, colour and licence number of the car. See here

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/th ... -wing.html

Great stuff - thanks very much!