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Has anyone else noticed that redemption availability now only seems to be on the partner airlines (well, it is on the routes that I’m searching!). For instance, I looked at UC for Miami next March, wide open on the Virgin site yet when you go further they are all AF flights via Paris. Seems to be the same for Vegas and Delta. 🙁 If this is the case, going forward, I don’t think it’s worth me collecting Virgin miles anymore as I don’t particularly want a connection on a flight when they do actually fly direct – seems a bit of a swizz to me!
- This topic was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
Are you looking at Upper class? Then my experience this year is availability has vanished looking at dates more than about six weeks out, with very few exceptions. JFK and IAD have availability for most of this year/
I would hold out a little longer, Rob referenced a cryptic conversation he had with Shai Weiss (VS CEO) a few weeks back saying they were looking at availability. Maybe some form of guaranteed availability is on the horizon, and given the Flying Club is much smaller than BAEC competition for the seats should be lower. VS points pricing tends to be a bit keener on a like for like basis, so could be worthwhile hanging on
Yes, Upper Class.- This reply was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
I would hold out a little longer, Rob referenced a cryptic conversation he had with Shai Weiss (VS CEO) a few weeks back saying they were looking at availability. Maybe some form of guaranteed availability is on the horizon, and given the Flying Club is much smaller than BAEC competition for the seats should be lower. VS points pricing tends to be a bit keener on a like for like basis, so could be worthwhile hanging on
I think eventually they’ll do something. I suspect the demand is very unpredictable at the moment, post pandemic, and they’d like to see how many tickets they can shift for cash before opening up for rewards late in the day. Runs a higher risk of flying with empty seats, and annoys people looking for reward seats, but I can see why they’d take this approach.
Despite what was said to Rob I’d not expect any structural change — like assuring a minimum number of seats per flight, or offering more seats with a higher mileage requirement, or limiting the impact of YQ on British travellers — any time soon. I’m not collecting Virgin miles as a benefit off anyone unless there is no alternative (eg retailer only on shops away) for the foreseeable, I have enough miles for a few round trips to the US in Upper, there’s no availability, and the YQ is ludicrous. This situation is not in Virgin’s long term interests and I hope they address it.
At the moment it seems to be a program where rewards are paid in booze and sausage rolls rather than flights.
I know flexibility is important in this game but compare the VS flight map to BA; then consider that you can lock in BA redemptions a month earlier than Virgin; and then see how many days in the year on which rewards in Upper are available…apparently literally none on some routes. It’s useless when trying to plan a holiday even if travelling solo.
While the CC continues to have some bendy benefits I’ll give it another year, but if my first voucher expires I think Virgin will have missed their chance.
Ironically, having stuck it out through the pandemic, I am now starting to consider converting to Hilton. At least it will be better for my liver and waistline.
This reply was modified 52 years, 4 months ago by .
Something wrong with the site clock?
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