I'm back after long break so a few questions

Hi folks,
I used to fly VS on a regular basis to LAS (sometimes 4 times a year) until BA started doing that route from LHR which took 1 1/2 hours off of my journey. They have been good, I have managed to maintain Silver for the past 4 years which has many advantages. BUT, redemption availability has become a joke, I am sitting on half a million Avios that I have difficulty using, and I am so flexible that I can go fly anytime in a 2 month window.

So, seeing the 30 percent bonus miles on Tesco to Virgin I had a look and there seems quite a lot of availability for the time of year I want to travel, going LHR/SFO/LAS
so am now sitting on 150,000 VS miles.

Now to the questions. You used to be able to get rid of the devider between the middle seats in Upper, is this still allowed? If not and unable to get the first A&K seats do you feel it's better to get a window and isle seat facing each other so that you don't spend the trip looking at a stranger? Lastly, the clubhouse used to offer all treatments for free, but I remember reading somewhere that you now have to pay for some, is this the case?

1. I don't think you can remove the divider any more -- I think they found it was damaging the suites.
2. In the nose of the 747? I think it's better to be adjacent than opposite.
3. Yes, you do have to pay for some, but there's a handful of basic ones that remain free.

redemption availability has become a joke, I am sitting on half a million Avios that I have difficulty using

Interesting message, as redemption availability is one of the reasons people give for being pulled the BA way.

You used to be able to get rid of the divider between the middle seats in Upper, is this still allowed?

Don't think so, but I've never used those seats.

If not and unable to get the first A&K seats do you feel it's better to get a window and isle seat facing each other so that you don't spend the trip looking at a stranger?

Depends on the aircraft. If you looking at a 747 then I'd say the first two rows at the front are ok for using as an AK pairing for a couple, but further back I'd opt for A or K and commune when dining using the ottoman. If you're in the A zone of a 747 I don't think you get the feeling of staring at a stranger when in row 8 and back.

Thanks for the replies, I think the route we are looking at is an A340.
Have a look at the FT BA forum and you hear complaints about lack of availability. I guess it just depends where and when you want to go. It's good that we are flexible, we have a 241 voucher to spend and between April this year and January next there is no redemption availability that can get us to and form either LAS or LAX in either CW or F, while at the time of posting we have quite a few options in October with VS.

Thanks for the replies, I think the route we are looking at is an A340.

In which case I'd go for adjacent, rather than opposite, seats in either A or K in the rows where a wall, rather than another passenger, is opposite you.

This link will give you all the treatments in detail and the cost, including showing which are still free. Scroll to the bottom and there are 4 pdfs.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/tr ... house.html