Spending those miles

Hi all,

i've lurked for a bit and learnt a lot, but there comes a time when you got to join in.

I fly to the States two or three times a year, sometimes UC but more often PE, always with VS and am FC silver. I'm planning a trip for November with Mrs Vslf and I'd like her to experience Upper Class, at least one way.

As its a leisure trip I'm trying to work out how best to use my miles to achieve this, but there seem to be several different ways, and frankly, its making my head hurt..so time to ask the experts.

I have 70k miles, and am FC silver, Mrs Vslf has 30k miles, and is also FC silver. My initial thought is to buy lowest price PE tickets (about 650GBP each) and then use miles to upgrade. Is that logical or am I missing a trick somewhere?

Thanks in advance for any help

Vslf

[Bazz]

Hi Vslf and welcome aboard.

If you buy the cheapest PE ticket it will not be eligible for upgrade with miles. You have to buy a full fare ticket. You may be fortunate on the day of travel and be allowed to upgrade with miles at check-in but that depends on a lot of things outside of your control so you would need to be prepared to travel in separate cabins!

Best thing (IMHO) is to combine your points to get one UC reward ticket and then to purchase the other one, you should get a cheap "Z" bucket quite easily.

Mrs Vslf can contribute 25% being 20K miles and you can add the balance 60K from your account. You have to decide which of you will have the miles and points from the purchased fare as the reward flight attracts neither.

Bazz
Still Flying

Bazz,

thanks for that, saw a reply rcently about the possibility of a 25/75 split on miles, very useful info.

I've been very lucky with op upgrades in the past, probably run out of luck by now, so I'm not going to bank on that. As for travelling in different cabins I think I know which way round that would work. But hey I don't mind PE

Guess I'll start fishing for Z fares,

Ta

Vslf

Thanks for the info Bazz,

all booked up now one paid for UC, one UC reward, followed your advice and there go all those lovely miles. Just hope the Suites are all done come November.

VSlf

[Bazz]

quote:Originally posted by Vslf
Thanks for the info Bazz,

all booked up now one paid for UC, one UC reward, followed your advice and there go all those lovely miles. Just hope the Suites are all done come November.

VSlf

Vslf,

You didn't mention which location you are flying to. If it's SFO or JFK you should be 95% sure of the Suite (barring an aircraft going tech).

If it's LAX, well by November almost certain that route will be done, possible MIA as well.

If it's a flight out of LGW or MAN, given the current roll-out of suite fitted aircraft, I would think unlikely.

Bazz
Still Flying

Bazz,

you missed one, IAD's my destination. I asked about suites when booking and was told that the plan was for all LHR flights to be done by Easter, which I'm aware from posts here is a bit optimisitc.

Should be alright by Nov, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

VSlf