UC Award Availability Question?

I wish to book 2 reward flights in Upper Class from LHR - SFO or LHR - LAX this September with miles.

Unable to do so due to no reward availability, infact only available date is November (do you have to book these 12 months in advance?)!

Is this normal, and are there any tips for freeing up availability, will availability free up nearer the time?

If no availability does anyone know of offers or best time to book PE flights to SFO, currently prices look pretty step.

[Nottingham Nick]

Since the introduction of suites, reward seats in UC to SFO have been very hard to get. I started trying in February for 2 seats being completely flexible over a two month period July / August - despite the best efforts of several members of the FC staff I was unsuccessful.

I have forgotten the exact dates reward seats can be booked in advance, (300 days??) - but I am sure someone will help on this.

As for freeing up extra seats, I think only Golds enjoy this perk - and then it is by no means guaranteed.

The time to get the best price is not an exact science, just keep looking for the offers - given the high loads and the strength of the pound against the dollar, I doubt we will see too many bargains before November.

When you want to use miles, either book very early or
very late, as more mileage seats generally become available
closer to the time if all the revenue seats are not sold.

You have to be flexible I bagged a reward ticket in suites to lax over xmas a few weeks ago.The best thing is try different dates on the VS web site(book reward travel)If they are there do not dither call and book them or do it there and then online for a discount on the miles.I have also been allowed 2 UC reward seats that were not showing avalible when I paid for a couple of Z tickets on the same flight.Last month I was able to get 2 reward tickets in UC to JFK on non suite but not a chance on the suite service.I did fall lucky and ended up on a suite because of an aircraft change on the way out.I have found FC to be better than a lot of reward programmes when trying to book rewards.

Last week I had a PE seat booked on the VS3 o/b and z class UC for the return.

Upon arrival at LHR I went to the ticket desk about upgrading the o/b sector to UCS using miles and it was done straight away no problems.

Other than that I usually book near enough a year in advance if I want to use some miles on a reward flight.

Got one coming up in Sept to JFK but booked that in November 02!

Matt

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by Matt

Got one coming up in Sept to JFK but booked that in November 02!

Matt

Wow, Matt - I thought the most any flight could be booked in advance was 12 months - how did you book that far ahead?

Nick

It is 11 months for flight only on a gds but
can be a couple of years for a tour operator
with an allocation, as they know they have the seats
guarenteed, like Virgin Holidays for example

Sorry about that, got me fingers in a mucking fuddle[:I][:I]

Booked Nov03 for Sept 04

Matt