Reward seat booking - linking outbound and return

Hi all
The way I have always booked reward seat flights in the past is to grab an outbound seat as soon as available and then, once the return date comes up, I call VA and they book the return flight and combine it with the outbound I have already booked. This saves a little money on taxes and fees as booking 2 x one ways works out to be more expensive
However, when attempting to do this yesterday, the agent at VA told me that this was no longer possible since the new system launched.
I've gone ahead and booked anyway so I have two separate booking references (no big deal) but it has certainly cost me more money
Just wanted to share my experience with others as I am sure some of you book in the same way.
For my next flight I may just hold off until both sectors are available although then you obviously risk there not being reward seat availability for the outbound

I got the same answer even before the new system when I booked back in April.
My main reason for booking separately is to grab the rewards when they are issued.
I know if I had waited 30 days for the return my outbound would have gone.
I guess it depends on your route. I'm flying out to MCO so rewards seats aren't too plentiful.

Dick D

I'm travelling the same route dickydotcom so I agree, you need to grab those seats as soon as you see them
It's just a little annoying that I've always linked them in the past. The agent told me that it works out to be around £30 PP in additional fees per sector so an extra £120 to book two one ways for two people

I had the same response earlier in the year, they managed to link the flights on the system but couldn't give me any taxes back but I was just happy I had bagged the Gs so took the knock on the extra taxes.