Booking direct with VS

Hi again,

I will be booking flights direct with VS.

Now I know that I will have to wait until our return flights are released to book but I have just read on another forum that people that have booked through Agents can book their seats at 336 day mark just the same as direct customers. Now heres the thing, they can book outbound first when they reach the magic date then inbound when they become available seperately (They will also have a head start on my inbound as I have to buy the flights first, will I have access to the seat map straight away?)

I just wondered if there was any way around this (I assume not!)

Anyway, it was more of a vent really as I am sure someone will verify this to be correct

[Darren Wheeler]

TA's can't book until VS issue the seats at T-336. All they can do before is put in a request.

Thank you Darren for your reply.

Apparently, all that's needed is the flight locator number which can be issued as soon as the flights are released.

A Virgin Holiday customer booked her outbound flight yesterday and says she can log in when her inbound flight becomes available to book seats for her return.

I'm all for first come, first served (which is why I book as soon as humanly possible )but am a little miffed when I have to part with the best part of £3000 up front to find that someone who has only paid a deposit can get the pick of the seats before people who pay direct.

I may come across as selfish but I'm really not I just think it's a tad unfair that's all.

I have a return flight for next year, which I just booked this morning, being the first day the return flight is available.

I have chosen my seat on the outbound, but the system won't let me chose the inbound yet. I have phoned Virgin and they can't confirm but believe it is still too early.

We will see what happens tomorrow.

Just to put your mind at rest, I am the first to choose seats on the outbound at 305 days so I wouldn't worry too much.
There are not too many of us with such OCD we have to book the minute they open.

Dick D

[Neil]

What is your concern? If it is to do with booking seats, then you will that very few, if any, book seats straight away. There is a lot of talk and bluster about it, but the reality is more often than not very different.

It is extremely unlikely agents will get the locator reference exactly at T-336 and pass it straight on to the customer, the reality is it takes a few days for this to happen.

I wouldn't book flights as soon as they are released. The most expensive tickets are out first and the price will usually drop a few days later. As Neil says there are very few who pick a seat as soon as the flight opens.

Thanks all.

I admit to being VERY OCD about these things and can't rest until we're booked and then I can breathe a sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge its done and out of the way (how did we manage before )

You have all put my mind at rest so I wont stress toooo much over it (and breathe ), I actually feel a bit silly now but hey ho who doesn't now and again

Thanks all again, I will now go and sit in a dark corner for a while

Thanks all.

I admit to being VERY OCD about these things and can't rest until we're booked and then I can breathe a sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge its done and out of the way (how did we manage before )

You have all put my mind at rest so I wont stress toooo much over it (and breathe ), I actually feel a bit silly now but hey ho who doesn't now and again

Thanks all again, I will now go and sit in a dark corner for a while

I'm definitely with you on early booking, hence getting on the phone at 7.30 this morning on the day of release.
As to prices, yes you do have to check, but I've been looking recently and day of release have had some flights at what I would consider a cheap rate. Other flights were certainly more expensive.
I have just bought upgradeable economy LGW to MCO and upgraded both legs to Upper for £910 each including all extra taxes which is a fare I'm happy with. More important I'm really really happy to bagged two upgrades to Upper. I have never managed to do it all in phone call before.
Now I just need to get our seats for the return flight.
Dick D

PS I went back in to my booking and this time it allowed me to book the seats. So if you do buy on the day of release and find you can't book seats straight away, don't worry, try later.

Haha, you did make me laugh, You sound just like me

That's a fab price you got there, well done , I'm flying from Man with hubby, daughter and her hubby and unfortunately there's only 14 UC seats on our aircraft so most unlikely for me but I'm made up for you

Just one question, do you think it's better to ring them rather than book online? If so, what time do they open? (Guessing 7.30am on the dot ) and would you mind telling me the number I need? (Sorry, that's more than one question , I'm off again )

Many thanks

Haha, you did make me laugh, You sound just like me

That's a fab price you got there, well done , I'm flying from Man with hubby, daughter and her hubby and unfortunately there's only 14 UC seats on our aircraft so most unlikely for me but I'm made up for you

Just one question, do you think it's better to ring them rather than book online? If so, what time do they open? (Guessing 7.30am on the dot ) and would you mind telling me the number I need? (Sorry, that's more than one question , I'm off again )

Many thanks

Only 14 seats on the Gatwick planes too. Hence booking asap.
If you are going to spend miles then you need to do it on the phone. Sorry don't know what time they open but it may be before 7.30. I know I have called in the past when only one person was working early on.
I only rang at 7.30 because that's when I got back from the gym, logged on to the VA site and saw 20th March was open with UC reward seats.
I don't like 0844 numbers so I rang 01293 473800
Best of luck with you quest.

Dick D

Great, thanks for this.

Just hard earned cash, as it's our first Virgin flight, we haven't accrued any miles so am hoping this may make it less complicated

Anyway, enjoy your flights and thanks again for your help