What to do?

Ok, it's my better half's 40th this year, and as part of the celebrations I'm thinking of taking her to NYC in October (w/b 23rd), when I have to travel there on business. I don't know what availability is like for rewards, but I usually go VS001 and back VS002. I'm thinking of a companion reward ticket in UC, as I have enough miles, but it might be a bit difficult to persuade work to fork out full fare on a J. so do I:

1. book the J and hope I don't get a severe reprimand from work?
2. book PE for me + companion and hope for upgrades to UC at the airport on the day?

What's the expert opinion? We have gone PE to NYC before, and I was hoping to show off UCS this time as a special treat.

[preiffer]

Hi Steve,

Well - your problem with Option 2 is that while you can upgrade the "main" PE ticket to Upper at the airport, you cannot upgrade the companion seat at all.

This leaves you relying purely on an Op-Up for two people, on the day. That, I'd say is an extremely risky strategy on any route - not least the New York one where there's significant revenue J traffic regardless.


What about offering to pay the difference between the "normal" fare your work would pay for and the one you need to use a companion fare with?

Option 3 buy an upgradable PE ticket and use miles to upgrade to UC??

That assumes your work will buy you a UC ticket!!

Do you book the ticket yourself and expense it or does the company handle your travel arrangments.

On a recent trip on Air Canada I booked a biz class ticket both ways and expensed a Y class ticket. I paid the difference out of my own pocket.

I have to book through corporate travel agents, then contact Flying Club. Actually the last time, I confirmed availability with FC first, they put a "hold" on the companion ticket until I called back with confirmation of my full fare booking in PE. It all worked out pretty well.

I'm more hopeful of getting the full J, as having investigated the most recent company travel policy, it states that they support BA Club World bookings for business travel, which are the same price (or thereabouts) as UC.

I'm more hopeful of getting the full J, as having investigated the most recent company travel policy, it states that they support BA Club World bookings for business travel, which are the same price (or thereabouts) as UC.

Sounds like a strong arguing position to me! Let us know how you get on ....

[preiffer]

Originally posted by SteveE
I'm more hopeful of getting the full J, as having investigated the most recent company travel policy, it states that they support BA Club World bookings for business travel, which are the same price (or thereabouts) as UC.

The only potential stumbling block would be, while they support BA CW bookings, at what fare code do they do this?

A DISCOUNTED BA Club World seat can go for as little as £1,886 + tax (I class) during October, the same price as VS' discounted "Z" fare. A slightly less restricted (DLAPGB) fare would be £2,436 + tax on both airlines.

However, the fare you require to allow you to make use of a companion fare on that route with VS would be a JX2R or JW2R. These are £4,078 & £4,278 + tax, respectively.

There's a LOT of difference between those and the discounted BA/VS fares that are available, so while your company policy may allow Business Class travel - I'd check at what financial level it supports this before booking any companion tickets. [:?][:(]

Hi, this is my first time because I have just joined V-Flyer. What prompted me to actually do something about joining is the fact that I wanted to reply to your message. Whatever you do sort it out very soon. The w/c 23/10 is half-term from school in many areas so many families will be flying. What a happy partner you will have, enjoy!

Welcome to V-Flyer Roxy-Popsy

Just an update for everyone......As usual the advice on here was spot on. Full price J travel is definitely NOT within company budget guidelines, so have now booked a PE W ticket for me with a companion seat for my lovely wife. Ever so slightly hopeful of the remote chance of upgrades to UC on the day, but will expect to see a squadron of flying pigs at Heathrow if we do manage that!

Anyway, we'll have a lovely break in NYC, just as a couple, as the grandparents will be looking after our two toddlers while we're away. We love them to bits, but feel the need to be ourselves, rather than Mummy and Daddy for just a day or two!

[Bazz]

Glad you got it sorted out Steve and that the advice given above was helpful. Pity your company wouldn't stretch to the J so your wife and you could enjoy UC but hey, maybe next time.

Thanks and welcome to Roxy-Popsy for joining V-Flyer to ensure you hadn't overlooked the half-term effect, that attitude really embraces what we try to do here Roxy, well done [y].

Just a little update to the original story. As a result of an extra business trip to Mumbai in September, I will be hitting FC Gold status on my return flight! Hence my wife and I can both make use of the Clubhouses (LHR/EWR) on our PE NYC trip in October! This is just about as good as flying UC anyway!

Question: When I cross the magical Au threshold on the return leg from Mumbai on Sept 29th, will I have received the card etc. before our trip on Oct 23rd? I know we'll be in the system anyway (and I will check on this close to the time) but it would be nice to flash the Gold card for the first time on the birthday trip!

Can't wait to change my avatar!

Steve,
Although you may have received your VF card (doubtful given the past year's accounts), it doesn't really matter as CH can check your account--or you can bring an updated copy of it. Your trip sounds excellent--and congratulations to your wife as we share a birthday ( 23 October/Scorprio cusp) that is always at the height of autumn in the northeast. New York should be perfect for both weather and adventure.
Best of luck,

RR