UC LHR - LAX October - multi threaded question

Hoping that someone can give me a steer on this -

I need to book the following (in UC)

4th October VS 007
17th October VS 024

I know there is a sale on for UC fares at the moment (but not covering the dates I need) and I'm hoping something might happen on prices later in the year. My dates are fixed as are the flights.

Am I right in thinking that if I book a flexible fare (J Class - currently £6,578.70 (ouch)) and there is later a sale I would be able to gain a full refund on this fare and rebook in a more restrictive
and cheaper class?

I was tempted to just leave this and wait and see but given that I'm using the VA Amex Black card I want to maximise the miles earnng opportunity, which i think is on a x 6 multiple until July - which means i need to book before that promotion ends.


Or I book now in Z class for £2,631.70 - and take a risk on the prices falling.


Any useful suggestions welcomed.

Andrew

(just though having re read my post - If you were to book the J class fare, pay the Amex bill, get the mile credit and then cancel (a month later) gaining a refund, what would happen to the miles?

Hi

If I were in your shoes I would book the Z, at least you have it in the bag. I say that for 2 reasons, firstly the chances of a sale at that time of the year and UC fares being lower is unlikely (IMHO) and secondly if you dont grab the Z now and seats get short you will end up having to pay for a D or J.

As for the miles if you refund a ticket, as far as Im aware if you have settled your bill the miles are yours regardless of whether you get a future refund on the ticket, someone may correct me though ?? That is certainly the case for a normal purchase.

Cheers

Mark

[HighFlyer]

If you refund that 6.5k back to your card, you get a deduction in miles the following month. I've had it happen before, so no real win/win there. I'd go for the Z fare ....

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by HighFlyer
If you refund that 6.5k back to your card, you get a deduction in miles the following month. I've had it happen before, so no real win/win there. I'd go for the Z fare ....

Thanks,
Sarah

thanks for the confirmation - I figured that would probably be the case but as MBNA are sometimes so random you never know!

Looks like Z fare it is.

Andrew

Originally posted by HighFlyer
If you refund that 6.5k back to your card, you get a deduction in miles the following month. I've had it happen before, so no real win/win there. I'd go for the Z fare ....

Thanks,
Sarah

Hi Sarah

I thought that was the case if you did the refund within the same statement period (ie purchase & refund within the month) ..... what do they do if you have spent the miles and then process the refund say 3 or 4 months or more later ? Just out of interest [?]

Cheers

Mark

I can't see much big happening between now and then, but you never know, so I would book Z now.

I see you're returning on my birthday;)

45.

[HighFlyer]

I thought that was the case if you did the refund within the same statement period (ie purchase & refund within the month) ..... what do they do if you have spent the miles and then process the refund say 3 or 4 months or more later ? Just out of interest

A large refund reduces the total number of miles earned for the statement in which the refund hits. If you are unlucky enough to have a negative miles balance at the end, you'll get a deduction of miles from your FC account. If you have 0 miles in your FC account, AFAIK, you'll get minus something next time you check.

Thanks,
Sarah