Booking RT using FC miles

Dear Guru,

Can you please cite me (chapter and verse) VS FC policy re booking partner flights? Am told by VS that must book return flight (told not allowed to book single sector using miles--which seems odd a shave done so many times previously) and ...if no business class available return but reluctantly booked outbound with Y return as PE does not exist (!) on NZ--must pay Business return miles (a hefty 125K) even though not receiving business product for 1/2 journey? Am told this is NZ policy but NZ say this is VS policy?

Gratefully appreciate yr response,
RR [?]

[Scrooge]

What route are you looking at ?

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
What route are you looking at ?


LAX-AKL-LAX (or SFO)

Virgin caught me with a similar whammy on Singapore airlines. Went out business (no First available), coming back in First, and had to pay first return mileage for the round trip

[Decker]

It's not just VS, I know BMI do this too.

quote:Originally posted by Decker
It's not just VS, I know BMI do this too.


and the logic here? charging a hefty price for a product they have no intention of delivering? surely they receive a good deal of pax flack on this? that's nearly 25k miles overcharge!

rr

[mcmbenjamin]

Industry policy. Feel lucky that you were able to use reduced miles in the past.

quote:Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Industry policy. Feel lucky that you were able to use reduced miles in the past.


Respectfully--sorry but that doesn't wash. Industry policy is never a good answer to me--just gets my back up--and the logic still escapes me--it's akin to saying--
We do it because we can get away with it. Much of VS promo about FC is about being able to easily use miles with partners who fly where they don't. I do understand(now) that it is industry policy (checked to see if I could use my USAir miles to book) but the only lasting impression I have is to forego airline loyalty and keep miles in Amex accounts to deduct to relevant airline where needed. Humbugs all.

cheers and thanks,

RR

[mcmbenjamin]

I will answer roadrunner's original post and reply.

Section 16 covers partner airlines Link
Section 16.1:
quote:All mileage levels are for a free return ticket excluding passenger taxes, duties, fees, charges and surcharges.
All reward flights with airline partners are subject to availability.

So all partner award tickets MUST be round-trip and the availability is up to the partner.

You CAN book a single sector on VS on VS metal in any class if VS FC has availability.

Virgin's policy on partner awards is inline with other programs but very generous in their own program.

I would keep your points with AmEx as there could be transfer promos plus the ability to book one way awards with SQ.

A lot of the rules as to partner award flights are up to the partner. Many of the partners do not offer one way awards to their own customers so why offer to competitors customers?

I do understand the round trip demands (although it WOULD be radically wonderful if it were not so) but you'll have a hard time shaking me from thinking that it is unnecessary and skinflint to charge pax mileage at the one leg higher rate for mileage in a class denied--simply because of RT booking policy. Humph.

RR


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