Booking Virgin Atlantic flight with ANA miles?

Has anyone had experience booking an award flight on Virgin using ANA miles through the ANA partner airlines redemption process?

Based on their partner airline mileage chart it seems that the redemption miles needed are less than booking directly with Virgin. However I am basing this on their "Business" category. I am wondering if this equates to Upper or if since they have a three tier system it actually equates to PE ?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Nottingham Nick]

I have never booked with, or really looked at ANA, but normally Business Class on other airlines equates to Upper on Virgin.

Booking partner flight with VS points seems to still be a minefield, so it will be interesting to see if it is any easier the other way round.

Nick

This is often commented on over at FlyerTalk - yes the ANA business redemption = UC and yes, it is also a more efficient way to spend miles.

You just seem to have to go through a tortuous process to get the seats, good luck!

I booked a VS flight (CO code share) using UA miles recently and it was very easy. All done via the CO website. The only thing it could not do was seat assignment. It pretends to but never actually goes through to VS.

Thanks everyone. Since I am using miles from my Amex it seems like a better deal and I have heard that they do not charge you the fuel surcharge on an award booking, so that could be a significant cost savings as well.

I will be sure to post again after I attempt the booking and share my experience with the process.