V-Flyer

A couple of related questions for you:

My wife and I would like to fly VS to Hong Kong in April (especially VS to get enough tier points for Silver) in at least PE class. Having looked on the website only W class exists for PE and no upgrades or companion tickets.

This appears to be the same for most of the forthcoming year.

Is this a reflection of the HKG route now it incorporates the onward SYD flight or with a forthcoming sale (or even January sale) shake up prices?

I note that the current sale, which does not include Far East flights, ends on Tuesday. From your experiences, will another sale commence shortly afterwards to include Far East destinations?

Many thanks in advance for your help

Jeremy

Availability on the HKG route is a regular topic of conversation round these parts, and usually in the context of "why isn't there any?". The SYD factor seems to account for a lot of the reason, at least as far as discussion here goes. Mate and fellow V-Flyer Dave was trying to plan a trip to Hong Kong with his brother so they can visit their dad, who's based there, and attempting to do it using miles or a companion ticket proved so impossible no matter how flexible he was with dates that in the end they just bought revenue tickets.

I've not seen a lot on the way of reward seats to HKG and dont recall seeing any Hong Kong flights in the sale, other than in Economy. Availability might open up closer to departure but if you dont want to take the risk you could always consider flying in VIA PVG. There is usually a fair number of reward seats to PVG available in Upper and Premium, and PVG often features in the sales fares.

Thanks,
Sarah

Thank you both for your comments and assistance.

The actual trip I am planning is for Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand with Hong Kong being the hub for VS flights. I also know that onward flights from Hong Kong to Singapore are under £200 with United.

My problem is that I can not afford business class with most aitlines, but can afford PE (including S class for U/C upgrades). This narrows my choice of airline down to 3; VS, BA and ANZ. ANZ are currently having a sale, but I am not convinced that a price just under £1000 is the best I can get.

I have looked at possibly changing in either PVG or the Indian cities VS fly to. These fares are a lot cheaper that HKG but onward flights are expensive or very poorly timed (my wife won't sit in a Delhi terminal for 12 hours).

I will keep looking and thanks again for your help.

Jeremy

K fares are now showing up for next April, starting at £1100 return.

If that's too much then why not consider booking a cheap one-way Y ticket to HKG via SIN on SQ? Then buy a cheap one-way K fare from HKG back to LHR. A PE one way K fare ex-HKG is only HK$6,634.00 (approx £420) for most dates next April. Total cost: Approx £800.

There are some pros and cons of course:

Pros:
LHR-SIN direct - less hassle and more convenient since this is where you are heading to. No need to buy a UA return fare between HKG and SIN (save yourself £200). Besides, UA flight times suck on this route. Free stop-over in SIN when travelling on to HKG with SQ. More choice of flights on SQ between SIN and HKG. With SQ, you can credit both miles and TPs to VS Flying Club.

Cons: No Premium Economy to SIN. But with the savings in cash and flight times I would prefer this option anyday over a PE flight via DEL.

Strawberry Muppet is definitely on to something there.. And to be honest, I've enjoyed SQ economy flights more than VS PE..!

Very interesting, thanks. Will certainly consider and discuss with Mrs C.