V-Flyer

Wonder if any of you great deal grabbers can recommend what to do in this situation. Apologies for the long post.

I have 150,000 miles, adding about 4K a month through the credit card. I have 2 PE upgrade vouchers and a companion voucher (which is next to no use.)

I need to get 2 adults and two 9 year olds to Whistler for new year. We live near Glasgow/Edinburgh. Our schools don't go back until 9th January, so we were thinking of flying out 26/27/28 December, return date flexible.

From what I've seen flying to Canada is more expensive than going into Seattle, and of course VS don't cover that route anyway, we would be flying Delta. Medium term I'm going to pack in my VS credit card and move to BA which I use occasionally with work. The destinations I used Virgin for before they no longer fly to. The Edinburgh London service stopped, and I rarely get Glasgow Orlando tickets for all of us during holiday periods, and they dont exactly have an UC Scottish lounge offering. So as much as it pains me (and particularly my kids) it will be VS no more after our next trip.

So, cutting to the chase, the kids want one last go in UC, and to use the Clubbouse for the first time. What's the best way to do this? Should I use miles for me and hubby one way, pay for them and use miles for PE on the way back? (Assuming I can use 2 PE return upgrades as 4 singles? ). We don't mind travelling different classes. But kids would like UC outbound and an adult would need to go with them of course.

As VS don't go near Vancouver, I need to go to San Fran (unlikely with availability), LAX or JFK then head over to Vancouver. That doesn't bother us as we would just have a 2 centre holiday.

My head is bursting with options. I'm thinking it might be easier to just book economy flights to Vancouver for us all, and keep the miles for another day, but I hate flying, and the thought of economy long haul fills me with dread.

Any suggestions? I take it we can't use PE upgrade vouchers on Delta? That would have made a Seattle return more comfortable, and it's drivable from Whistler.

Not really answering your question, but do check out the GLA flights for the future. (obviously they don't fly all year round). We've found loads of Upper rewards, even at relatively short notice or some pretty good cash prices in Upper - they were offering £1300 return for a lot of flights in September during mid July.

The lounge aspect is pretty dire as you've said, but the early arrival time back in means we can be back in the Borders before 8.30am missing the issues on the M8 or Edinburgh bypass. Much quicker than transiting via LGW.

David

Hmm
Ok first problem may be only having 150k miles.
UC one way to NY for 4 will cost you 160k miles. Boston may also be an option (& if its a Winter Sports trip, some good ski areas there!)
To LAX would be 200k miles.
So no miles left to use E to PE.
You would also need another flight to get to Vancouver & Obviously a route home!
Alt. you forget about UC & use your E to PE vouchers - either all go PE oneway & E the other - or 2 PE & 2 E both ways.
That would be 140k miles return & only the problem of getting to Vancouver once in the US!

Also, for BA Avios - dont forget on £10k spend you get a 2 for 1 return voucher, so with planning would be more of a benefit to a family of 4 than E to PE vouchers.