V-Flyer

[:o)]I have just booked my next flight to PVG to see the other half. [:o)]

Travelling at my own expense as usual I'm down the back, so I did a search of all the usual online ticket suppliers, and none came up with anything better than the usual Virgin Price.

So I then looked at using some miles plus money and this brought the price down to the best i have had in the past on VS. BUT I'm always loathed to use miles, and would rather save them for the day I really can't afford a ticket. SO, I stubonly kept on looking for a better price. (Travelling around easter, so I didn't hold out much hope). However I was pleasantly surprised to find that AMEX travel had a ticket on VS for the same price as miles plus money, which I snapped up, so now all I'm hoping is that with the rule changes for earning miles, I will be earning some on this ticket.

I guess that on miles plus money tickets you don't earn any miles?

You are right Miles Plus Money fares do not earn FC points or tier points.

In deciding if they are right for you, you have to decide what your aims are in collecting FC points.

If you are looking to move up to Ag or Au levels, then they are clearly not. If you are looking to build up your balance and treat yourself to a trip in UC, then also they are not for you.

If however, you are an occasional flyer, who will never build up a mega amount of points, then they are an excellent way of using your points, and saving money.

Personally, as a confirmed 'points whore', who only just re-qualifies for Ag each year, they are not for me. [8D]:D That doesn't mean that they won't be the best deal for everyone though.

I would guess that the ticket you have bought from Amex will be an N class fare wich, under the recently announced FC Refresh, will now earn you a limited number of FC points.

Nick

Is the Amex fare one you can only get if you have their card?

I agree with what Nick's saying, and have come to much the same conclusion myself. It does depend on how often you fly and what your aims are - I only fly for leisure, so really miles plus money is the better option for me - it's unlikely that I'll get to au staus or even back to ag....

Yes, you need an Amex card for this ticket... But happily their membership rewards are transferable to FC .

I'm a regular traveller to PVG for leisure and happily struck lucky last August and was suprised to get triple miles for one flight there. So along with Virgin Credit cards and points fransfer from Amex I'm well on my way to enough miles for two econ tickets... But my tier points are still sadly lacking, but going to PVG every couple of months should just get me to Silver, so I'd rather hoard the miles for a rainy day.
As an added plus a new work project later this year should see me on some business class long haul on VS or Partners, with added points earning opportunities!