Newbie advice needed

Hi,

Newbie here looking for some advice. Hubby and I have built up 73k odd miles each and we're about to do a trip for our 40ths without the kids we've decided on New York and I've got some flights on hold with fc but wanted some advice on the best use of miles and the best flight times as this is our first time going.

Flights first - would the 9.15 or 12.30 be best from LHR? Obviously leaving earlier means we get there sooner but leaving later gives us more time in the clubhouse?

Miles - couple of options:
Buy the extra miles we need and book 2 UC reward seats - £616 per person
Use 67.5k miles UC out PE in (as would we get the full benefit of the UC experience on the 11pm out of JFK?) - £435 per person
Same as above but I think involving M fares and 30k miles - £876.46

We're not big miles collectors (yet) and the only other time we'd possibility use the miles is for trips to MCO with the kids.

As I said I'm confused about best options so any help would be great

I'd get the later flights. Depending on how you deal with jet lag, I think you'll probably end up getting pretty tired on your first night, so the 12.30 flight is perfect. 15.30 arrival, so you'll avoid the traffic into NYC. And you'll get there early enough for a walk around and a meal out somewhere nice before probably getting quite exhausted - as your body clock will be five hours ahead!

I'd check what plane you have, though. The VS111 is often an A330, which many on here would say provides the least optimum UC experience.

Although it looks peculiar in terms of the cash outlay, the best cost per mile usage will be upgrading the M fares. You'll each be left with a decent batch of miles, and you'll both earn miles (and TPs) on the journey, so you can put those towards your MCO trip (although that route is much harder to redeem than for NYC).

That said: if you want to just burn through your miles, then I think buying the extra miles for 2UC returns is a good option. This is a good option if you don't like holding onto lots of miles. Remember (as has been seen with BA), VS can devalue their miles at any point without warning (i.e. by increasing the redemption rate), so some people view holding onto miles for a long time as a slight risk.

Let us know how you get on!

I would add that upper on the way back is worth it. Clubhouse at JFK/EWR a flat bed for an overnight flight and revivals at LHR.
With these you can eat before you board sleep all the way to London an then have a shower and breakfast in the revivals lounge on arrival

We did NYC a year or so ago. We blew the miles as they were stacking up so went for UC/UC 80K each. I would also add that UC is worth taking on the way back and perhaps having tasted it on the way-out you may be kicking yourselves you didn't.

If money is the motivator (and you don't say when you are going) you could have a scout around for some miles (Virgin Amex etc). Although it sounds as if the trip is imminent?

I will try and find my TR to see which flight we took (they all blend into one after a few months in my empty mind!).

Here it is. http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=6& ... =viewtopic

We arrived into NYC in time for a walk in Times Square to blow our tired minds, supper and a drink in the bar before retiring to bed. We did wake up thoroughly refreshed. We flew back from EWR, purely because the timings suited us, we arrived into LHR at 7.30pm and did much the same; supper & drink and fell into bed at the Hilton and drove home next morning. We didn't suffer much in the way of jet lag taking the day flight home.

One thing I will say, as it's a special occasion you should really think about using DTCI. I didn't on this trip and regret it.

Another thing to add: if you're coming back to the UK UC in on an overnight, then try and get an ex-JFK flight. EWR is lovely for sure, but much smaller and with much less on offer (i.e no spa) than JFK.

Thanks all for the advice so far, so it looks like the 12.30 is the best flight out. We'll be travelling down the night before and staying in a hotel so it means we can make the most of the clubhouse.

Planning on going in October so no chance to get the exta 7k miles without buying them and the bit I'm struggling with is could the £360 odd difference in price on the UC return which we're going to sleep through be better spent going towards our hotel / meals out etc in NY.

Thanks all for the advice so far, so it looks like the 12.30 is the best flight out. We'll be travelling down the night before and staying in a hotel so it means we can make the most of the clubhouse.

Planning on going in October so no chance to get the exta 7k miles without buying them and the bit I'm struggling with is could the £360 odd difference in price on the UC return which we're going to sleep through be better spent going towards our hotel / meals out etc in NY.

7K could be achieved with a new credit card if you felt that way inclined.

I would not hesitate in coming back UC in sleep mode at all. Our flight back from EWR was a day flight so we did make full use of the facilities on board, but an evening flight back from JFK doesn't mean you can't spend a LONG time in their fantastic lounge and still enjoy the flight. A couple of hours sleep is all I ever manage and that can be on a day or night flight.

I would not get a full UC reward.
I'd use miles to upgrade from Economy and get UC both ways, and keep some miles for a future flight.
True the MCO route is harder to get rewards. However it is possible. I have just bagged them for the third time.

Dick D

I'd opt for the later flight ex LHR and UC both ways . CH both ends and Revivals - no brainier for me .PE is ok but it's not a flat bed .

DL

Thanks for all the advice, we've gone ahead and blown the 80k miles for UC out on the 12.30 and UC back in on the 22.15 from JFK So excited.

So question now is what seats to go with? And what do I need to know about the clubhouses etc.

So question now is what seats to go with?

Can you tell us what types of aircraft the reservation system says you'll be on?

And what do I need to know about the clubhouses etc.

Get there as early as possible. On the overnight back, I'd certainly recommend making an evening of it in the CH, which can be quite a fun way to end your last night in NYC, instead of rushing to the airport. Get there early, relax, have a treatment, have dinner etc...

lyou can easily get 5,000 miles by opening a Virgin ISA.
Deposit £75 a month for 6 months & then withdraw it all.
Depending on the current share prices, you may make a little or lose a little on top of the 6x £75 payments, but it would still work out cheaper than buying the miles.

You would still need to find another 2000 miles from somewhere
250 miles for installing shops away toolbar
1000 miles for auto opt in to convert tesco points
3000 miles for your first shop with virgin wines
for example....
Pay £60 for 3000 miles, or buy a case of cheap plonk for £75

Can you tell us what types of aircraft the reservation system says you'll be on?

LHR - JFK - VS111 - A330-300 - Seats currently unavalable 1g, 3a, 4a, 6g, 6k & 7k
JFK - LHR - VS010 - 747-400 - Seats currently unavalable 12a & 12k, 20g, 22a & 22d

Thanks again for all of the help and advice, I'm sure this will just be the start of my silly questions

Nab 3a/4a or 6k/7k (latter some find too close to bar) on A330 & 12a/12k on the 747.

ASAP!

Nab 3a/4a or 6k/7k (latter some find too close to bar) on A330 & 12a/12k on the 747.

ASAP!

I fear they're the unavailable ones not the available ones!

I'd go for 5a/6a or 4k/5k on the A330 (avoid D & G like the plague).

And two next to each other in the front cabin on the 747 (rows 14-19, so 14a/15a or 18k/19k for example - any will do although many V-Flyers like row 19 as it's more private).

And what do I need to know about the clubhouses etc.

.Get there as early as possible. On the overnight back, I'd certainly recommend making an evening of it in the CH, which can be quite a fun way to end your last night in NYC, instead of rushing to the airport. Get there early, relax, have a treatment, have dinner etc...

Agreed. We spent 3.5 hrs there recently. I won't say it flew by, but it was a relaxing way to finish the trip. Top tips;

1. Have dinner in the Clubhouse. The menu on the night flight is limited and tailored to the idea of people sleeping.

2. Don't have breakfast on the aircraft, save perhaps for some juice and coffee. Save yourself for Revivals, where eggs make sense.

Thanks all I've gone for 4k & 5k on the way out and 14a & 15a on the return.

So with flights all sorted next thing is to start looking for a hotel! Thanks again for all of your help.

Last time I went to NY I stayed at the Hilton garden inn Times Square central on 42nd St.
Nice new hotel in an excellent location.

I've stayed at the HIGI Times Square and the location was perfect, not right in Times Square but a short walk from the neon lights. We had a top floor room on the river side and it was an amazing view. The staff were fantastic and if you do stay there, email the management and let them know it's a special occasion.

If you're staying at least a week, I'd highly recommend the AKA Times Sq, lovely suites with a proper kitchen, enormous fridge etc.