Best use of flying club miles

What is the best way to use my miles?

I have 151k but have a further 15k miles more friends to come along with 18k shops away miles due.

I have just got the Virgin Atlantic black card and have spent £2k for I will have the 25k miles bonus due also.

At end of September I will be booking flights for 7 from MAN to MCO for next August which I will pay for on my Virgin Atlantic AMEX so at 4miles per £ I should be looking at circa 40-50k miles from that.

It really depends what you want to use them for.

Most V-Flyers would agree the most cost effective way to use miles is on upgrades from Economy or PE to Upper Class.

But to do that you have to buy upgradable fares which are quite a bit more expensive than the cheapest fares, so may not work for those on a tight budget.

Other options are spending them on full reward flights - but you still have to pay taxes & fees - or miles + money fares if you're counting the pennies.

Personally I use mine to upgrade from Economy to Upper.
Not always easy getting the reward seats and unlikely you'll get seven to MCO on one flight and it's 50,000 each so you currently have enough for 3 persons.
OR, and I don't think it's best use as you can get PE for little more than an upgradeable economy, you will have enough to upgrade all seven to PE once you have your bonuses
Dick D

I think it may be best if I look at using them to for just me and the wife, kids can stay at her parents