Companion Upper Class tickets Query??

[HighFlyer]

Has anyone here used their companion ticket reward for an UC ticket? If so, do you believe it could be good value?

Without calling FC, im having to hazard a guess at the ticket prices. (i feel like a bit of a time waster otherwise as the ticket isnt actually in my account yet, but will be by next March) My desired destination is Hong Kong for around June, and on the VA website, UC lowest fares come in at around £2330.00 with UC Flexible fares about double this. I cant tell if the 'lowest' fares are actually Z fares without going ahead and booking them, or calling FC. I also am unsure whether D fares are also accepted by the companion scheme, which would make a difference.

I dont fancy being in W for longer than 10 hours, so the companion rewards otherwise are not as much use to me, besides trips to the East Coast or the Carribbean. It would be great to use them to destinations such as Shanghai and Tokyo but i would really prefer UC on these routes, or at least UC on the night flight sectors.

Anyone had any savings with UC companion rewards as opposed to buying two Z fares? Or are UC seats something that should generally be purchased with miles or cash?

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
Has anyone here used their companion ticket reward for an UC ticket? If so, do you believe it could be good value?

Yes, I've used mine, and the answer is that it is good value sometimes, but only on some routes. I used it last year on LHR-JNB where the Z fare was something like £2,100 and the J fare £3,200. However, assuming you can get decent Z fares there usually no good reason to use the ticket since it will often work out as more than twice the Z price.

quote:
I cant tell if the 'lowest' fares are actually Z fares without going ahead and booking them, or calling FC.

Price it on Expedia or Travelocity and then look at the fare conditions -- you'll be able to find out the fare code for the lowest price that way.

quote:
I also am unsure whether D fares are also accepted by the companion scheme, which would make a difference.

Nope, full fare (J) only (at least this certainly was the case when I did LHR-JNB last October).

BC

Hi all!!

this thread covers this a bit..

[honey lamb]

quote:on the VA website, UC lowest fares come in at around £2330.00 with UC Flexible fares about double this. I cant tell if the 'lowest' fares are actually Z fares without going ahead and booking them, or calling FC.

If you go to the website and make a booking on the Price page at the bottom (underneath all the passenger details etc) is a box right at the bottom which may say "Please note that this discounted Upper Class fare does not qualify for our chauffeur driven car service." In that case it will be a Z fare as the others do qualify for the limo.

[HighFlyer]

Thanks BlackCat, i had no idea that you could see the fare classes with Expedia! Very useful tool!

The only bummer is that those nice low fares are indeed Z fares so would not be elligible for a companion ticket. Actually, Expedia seem to offer mainly Z fares for UC, i havent seen one J or D fare yet.

I guess its back to the drawing board for this one!!

[HighFlyer]

Thanks also HoneyLamb

I had not seen that print before but will keep an eye out for it now!

[HighFlyer]

Another query ....

If i buy a full fare J ticket and use my companion ticket voucher for my partner, say for the trip to HKG that id like, as i will get a limo with my J fare, i take it that may partner can use it too as we will be on the same flight? Will we both be able to use drive through check-in as they would only surely have me down as checking in?

Also, would his ticket allow him into the Clubhouse? I gather that i can invite him to the Clubhouse as my guest if his ticket does not qualify?

Ive got some quotes for HKG ...

Full J fare from VS website: 4441.00 each (Z fare £2334.00)

So 4441.00 / 2 = 2220.95. Its marginally cheaper than the Z fare, but i will also get the limo (providing the answer to my above query is yes) And ... ill have the satisfaction of travelling with that elusive 'J' marked on my boarding pass. Oh how i'd like that when they inspect it on the way into the Clubhouse!! (im always branded with the dreaded 'V Hols' words hehe)

Any advice regarding the above, please let me know ...

Highflyer,
You'll both be able to use the limmo as your both traveling together..
I know of people that have used a J with a companion ticket so you should be fine.

any upper class ticket will get you (+1) into the clubhouse
so you in theory can sign two guests in with you.. (if you do book flights its a good idea to add them to the Intinery as that way you can sign other v-flyers in:D)

the only UC ticket without Clubhouse access is a PE op upgrade.