UC/HKG Question

I'm thinking of booking a UC one-way HKG-LHR with miles, but only have enough for myself - the OH will have to buy her own ticket in PE!

To prove that I'm not a complete cad, I was wondering if we swap seats at some point during the flight, will this be allowed by the CC? Or are they very strict about who sits where?

Also, what's the cheapest and most convenient (with suitcases)way to transfer to/from HK airport into the 'city centre'? Never been before but the airport seems to be some considerable distance from hotels etc.

Any advice gratefully received!

Booking yourself a seat in UC whilst your dearly beloved sits in PE will be THE biggest mistake you make in your relationship .Buy miles, a ticket or whatever it takes to have your beloved travel with you. I have been known to leave Mr DL behind the curtain in PE and he refers to it often (big mistake on my part).Alternatively, put her in UC and yourself in PE.
Swapping seats mid-flight is IMHO a No No.
Can't help with cheap transfers into HKG as on our trips the hotel has provided a car.
DL

[HighFlyer]

The crew may let you swap seats once during your flight, though I would strongly urge that it be once only, if at all. Its really not fair on other passengers (fare or miles paying) for two persons to benefit from your one UC ticket. In a small cabin you really can notice the seat swappers and to most frequent flyers it is a real no-no.

Try and gain the extra miles for you to both sit upfront one way, or sit together in PE and save the miles for another flight when you can enjoy it together.

Thanks,
Sarah

I realised it would be 'bad form' to swap seats and would be really loath to do it at all. Unfortunately I only have enough miles for one UC single and no real prospect of earning any more for the forseeable future. We both have to get back from Singapore in relative comfort with a budget of about a grand (which would include flights to HK from SIN). The UC miles/PE ticket seemed do-able (1082) but I really want Mrs F to have the 'nice seat', even though (I'm assuming) I would have to book it in my name as I own the miles. We're flying out in J with TK using up all her BD miles, so it's only fair! The only other option is a direct flight back to London in Y from SIN, hopefully in exit row seats upstairs on an A380 (about 590 pp).

[Decker]

you can book in her name using your miles

Thanks all for your good advice - I've done the decent thing and booked my wife into UC with miles and paid for a PE ticket for myself. She's delighted, I'm just delighted too, as I'm sure you can imagine.
Just a couple more questions I hope someone may be able to give me some pointers on -VS201 has an arrival time of 04.50 - what are the realistic chances of making a 06.40 connection to BHD (includes collecting baggage)? Perhaps someone has some experience of doing this on a regular basis and can advise?
Secondly, what are the chances of scoring a Row 18 seat in PE at HKG check-in? I'm thinking they will already have been assigned to pax coming from SYD, and the seat map's only showing a choice of 5 pretty dodgy seats, so I'm thinking it will be a busy flight.

I was on the flight last week from Sydney, we landed at Heathrow at 4.30am, and cleared passport very quickly as there was no other flights in, but we waited a while for the bags, the belt didnt start moving till 5.15am.

Row 18 filled up in Sydney with families and babies/children

I have done this flight and the VS201 was the first flight in and we were through the airport in under 20mins from the flight getting to the gate. It was very strange seeing LHR so quiet!

OK, if you buy 19,000 miles for 300 quid will you have enough to upgrade from PE to Upper and join your wife? Above budget I know but could be done - just check there's a seat available before purchasing ...

As to the VS201 - in the times I've taken, like others, landing has been no problem, nor immigration but baggage was a pain, almost as if we landed to early for the baggage handlers to have finished their morning tea! That said, you should still have time. Can you book your connections through Virgin and have them added to your itinerary?

Thanks all! I have bought a K fare in PE and I had to buy 5000 miles to reach the 50000 required for my OH's UC ticket, so I'm thinking any milage upgrades won't be possible. It's the first time I've redeemed miles so, despite reading about other folks experiences on this site for years, I'm not really sure how the whole proceedure works.

I'm also not sure how to add the BD onward flights to BHD to my VS booking - should I phone or is it do-able on the VS website? Will I get the same price quoted on the BD website or might it be significantly more?

Sorry for all the questions but I have found the collective knowledge on this site is worth far more than all the FAQ answers on the VS official site!!