Redeeming Air Miles for a Special Trip y)

I have just discovered this excellent site after having just booked flights for a trip to Cape Town next year - and just before Vigin drop the route too

I shall of course post a TR (got the jargon already !) but wanted to say how impressed I was with the member of staff at the Virgin Flying Club. I had naively thought I could redeem my airmiles via the website relatively easily but was quickly disabused of that when I tried. Much prefering the personal touch I waited 29 mins to get thru' to someone (not good) who managed to meet nearly all my requirements (and those of my wife) regarding dates and internal transfers - all for the sort of cost I'd anticpated but which the experiences of others suggested would not be possible. Success was entirely down to this individual's efforts (who i won't name in case his efforts were 'above & beyond' and my deal may come unstuck!) but my faith in Virgin as a brand has been restored.

I first flew with Virgin to NY in 1988/9 and their funky style and service impressed me sufficiently for me to remain loyal to them for the subsequent honeymoon trip and o/seas business trips to date. This booking is a belated anniversary present and an opportunity to see our son play in a football tournament in SA (my wife has never seen Africa!).

Until the trip next February I have a couple of questions that the 'wise travellers' here might be able to answer:

1.We are flying out PE to Jo'burg (with an internal connection to Cape Town via SAA a few days later) whereas the return from Cape Town is Economy. The ticket code for the return leg is X. Will this coding preclude us from upgrading to PE as by that time I will have c. 30k airmiles ? (I believe I could upgrade to UC on the outward leg with that no. of airmiles as the coding there is P)

2. The return leg in economy includes exit row seating for more leg room which I've never used before - does this make the differential between economy and PE less material? We're not too bothered by the cutlery/comp champagne benefits of PE - more the space and comfort? In other words, if the answer above is "yes" should I upgrade?

3. (the 'Special' bit) Returning from honeymoon in Boston (1993!)we were treated to a bottle (proper size) of Champagne - I guess someone tipped them off we were newly weds. I'd like to arrange something similar for the flight back (economy class remember!) and wondered how best to do this ahead of time? Would I call 'Customer Services'? Can you still get proper sized bottles now or does airborne 'elf & safety mean only those weeney bottles are onboard?

Welcome to vflyer ,I'll let someone more knowledgable answer some of the questions ,
My own personal view is that it is def worth upgrading to PE when possible as long as the price isn't over the top ,comfier and bigger seats which on a flight from SA will be a godsend

Reference the champers I think this is what you are looking for but I'm not sure it is the answer you want

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/th ... rvice.html

Appreciate the replies all
ColOrd: well, not what I was hoping to hear and why are the teeny bottles of pop not available if flying from Heathrow anyway??
Incidentally, I have just tried a dummy booking online based on PE seats to CPT on my dates and my man at FC really did do me a great job methinks so I'm a happy chappy in that respect. If I can upgrade on the return leg with airmiles that'd be the icing on the Mary Berry!

I've just thought of another Q: Are there any lounge clubs I can join and that anyone would reccomend (to use in LHW/JNB/CPT)? Just to ehnace the experience for Mrs. Tencherman?

You can order champers from retail therapy. Doesn't look like any restrictions on routes etc

Like Blacky, I'd definitely recommend PE. When we first used it we were very impressed as the seats were much more comfortable and overall the service was improved, from check-in to CC. For us, comfort is paramount, and I do think it's worth it for a longer flight. In Y even with extra leg room, you still get a seat with little to no lumbar support. Arriving at the destination without a numb coccyx was a revelation

Welcome to v-flyer!

I think an x fare is a discounted economy bucket (cheapest non-sale from what I can tell) so is not eligible for miles upgrade strictly speaking. But you can always try it at the check in desk, casually mention the anniversary, and see what agent you get on the day

Welcome.

You could consider the Guest List for added sparkle. We did this for PE flights to NYC as we did not want UC tickets for a medium haul day flight and this certainly made the trip special.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/th ... -list.html