Maximising miles with VH - input required!

Hi all,

Am planning on booking a 2011 holiday to Mouseland with VH.

I'm confused as which way to approach the booking to maximise miles and best price so looking for some input from you more knowledgeable people in this area!

I'm FC red and gain all of my miles (at the moment) through CC usage. If I book as a FC member on the phone we get the mileage for the holiday price (and obviously the CC spend) but it appears that there is a discount of 10 % (not to be sniffed at) if we book online direct with VH... (but obviously not the air miles).

Will I get airmiles for the flight anyway - once checked in...?

Anyway, any and all input welcomed!

M

[Neil]

You will earn miles for a flight booked as part of a VH package, the fare code will determine how many.

If you book online and use your VS MBNA CC you will still get 4 miles per £ spent and the miles for the flight taken.

In my experience i always book over the phone and every time they have given me the 10% discount as a FC member anyway. Which as they offer it to everyone online negates the FC special discount !

You will earn miles for a flight booked as part of a VH package, the fare code will determine how many.

And ISTBC but think the only way to influence the fare code, and hence mileage, is to opt to upgrade. If you book into economy VH will determine which fare code you are assigned - which could be "N" and hence get you 50% of mileage. If you opt for PE (or higher) then the same does not apply, as there isn't an equivalent code that shaves the miles in this way.

Paul

[Neil]

And ISTBC but think the only way to influence the fare code, and hence mileage, is to opt to upgrade. If you book into economy VH will determine which fare code you are assigned - which could be "N" and hence get you 50% of mileage. If you opt for PE (or higher) then the same does not apply, as there isn't an equivalent code that shaves the miles in this way.

Paul

Yes, that is correct. VH will book you in to whatever fare code they have. More often than not it is N for economy and H for PE (which is a special fare code just for VH PE bookings). It has been known before though, that other, higher earning fare codes have been used, but you can't request them.

Neil

[mitchja]

VS fares used by VH earn exactly the same miles/TP's as all other VS discounted fares i.e. 50% + 2 TP's in economy, 125% + 3 TP's in Premium and 150% + 5 TP's in Upper per flight leg.

The Flying Club AU or AG milage bonus is also applicable for all VH fares.

Isn't it also the question of are the miles 'bought' by getting into a higher fare and thus miles earning code cheaper than say just buying them via the 'buy miles' route especially if you are going to be in the same cabin?

It makes the calculations a little more complex but if your becoming a miles collector its an option to look at.