Help me formulate a booking plan!

Hello!

Please help me formulate a booking plan with my reward miles.

I have 142000 miles, with enough for another 7500 through Tesco Clubcard (though holding off in hope of a x% bonus). I also have a Credit Card companion flight qualification (earned August 15) and 2x VAA Credit Card Econ>Premium Reward Upgrade (earned Feb 15)

Wanting to fly from London to either Miami or Orlando next September first week) and return 2-3 weeks later. There will be two adults and one baby. Would like UC going out, and would like PE or UC coming back. I understand I don't have enough miles for the whole trip UC, but thought some magic can be done with upgrades/ miles etc.

Probably prefer LHR UC lounge. Haven't been to Gatwick lounge before, but pictures don't look as nice? Correct me if I'm wrong. Also concerned about taking a 17 month old baby in UC.

So, by my deductions, I'd want to book early October. By that stage I would be on 150000+ miles. What are my options, and approx costs?

Thank you, Steven

Firstly the companion reward is useless in Upper as you have to buy one of the expensive j class seats for it to be able to be used. Providing you can find the reward seats you have several options.

1) If you want to go Upper both ways you can't use the PE upgrade vouchers as you are not allowed to upgrade these further with either cash or miles. You could buy the extra miles needed, which would cost £930 and pay the taxes/fees on the tickets of £1013.28. Total £1943.28.

2) You could buy an m class economy fare both and upgrade to Upper both ways. You'd have to phone Virgin for pricing on this but you'd need 100,000 miles for the upgrades for the 2 adults (sorry not sure how upgrades work for infants).

3) You could buy a combi fare consisting of m class one way and full reward the other, to upgrade to Upper. 150,000 miles for the 2 adults.

4) If you wanted to use your vouchers you could book Upper outward and use the vouchers for a PE return. 151,000 miles and £879.29

LHR lounge is much nicer than Gatwick but you could always fly outbound to Miami and inbound from Orlando, same costings. Obviously this all depends on reward seats becoming available, for which you just need to keep checking and phone the second you see some! (it's also worth giving them a call anyway, I've often found th.y're seeing seats not online)

I would not rule out getting E tickets for both legs & upgrading to PE with the 2x vouchers.
That would be the best bang for buck imo.
Save the miles & UC for another trip!
Its only a 9 hour flight. By the time you have food, watch 2 films, more food + another film, it's time to land.

Wow, you guys are awesome. Simply amazing.

Thank you so much for your help!! Really appreciate it!

2) You could buy an m class economy fare both and upgrade to Upper both ways. You'd have to phone Virgin for pricing on this but you'd need 100,000 miles for the upgrades for the 2 adults (sorry not sure how upgrades work for infants).

I paid £1847 for two upgradable economy tickets LGW to MCO for next Feb and upgraded with miles.

The Gatwick lounge is a good lounge with excellent service. It may not be up to LHR experience especially as there is no drive through but I wouldn't be put off using it. If you do choose the Gatwick route bear in mind the UC cabin is small and reward seats rate so you need to get in there quick.

If you are only going to go UC one way my choice would be the return to make full use of the flatbed.

Dick D

Sorry I'm going to sound stupid here, but looking at this

4) If you wanted to use your vouchers you could book Upper outward and use the vouchers for a PE return. 151,000 miles and £879.29

In number 4 - is the £879 the taxes and charges? Would I use the miles to fully book the Upper (and pay taxes and charges) then book the return as Economy and use the black credit card voucher to upgrade to PE?

Thanks, Steve

Sorry I'm going to sound stupid here, but looking at this

4) If you wanted to use your vouchers you could book Upper outward and use the vouchers for a PE return. 151,000 miles and £879.29

In number 4 - is the £879 the taxes and charges? Would I use the miles to fully book the Upper (and pay taxes and charges) then book the return as Economy and use the black credit card voucher to upgrade to PE?

Thanks, Steve

Yes that's the taxes for a one way upper and one way premium redemption (even though the voucher upgrades you from economy to premium you still have to pay the extra taxes). However because you have the voucher you only pay the miles for Upper one way and economy on the other.

Just booked by outbound flight in UC. Was a bit surprised to see a 5000 mile charge for the infant!