Pricing mixed Y buckets for upgrading one leg only

Am I the last to find out that you can mix Y buckets if you only want to upgrade one leg? I've just bought LHR-JFK/EWR-LHR: EC out (O), UC back (M-to-G) for £595 and 20k miles. Detailed explanation below...

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I'd needed to book a short-notice, unplanned LON-NYC return trip, but I'd burned down to my last 35k miles, i.e. just short of the 40k needed for my favoured M-to-G upgrade for both legs (FYI: priced at £950).

I didn't really want to spend another £90 or so on the extra 5k miles, even with the 25% bonus on right now (so actually buying only 4k miles) - i.e. total £1,040, and leaving me with zero miles in my account.

In any case, I really didn't mind doing the ex-LHR daytime flight in Economy, but I really wanted UC on the overnight from EWR.

Economy M fare return was coming in at £750 (against non-upgradeable Y at £400), so I assumed upgrading the return leg only would cost the tax difference of around £100 (+ 20k miles) - i.e. £850 total. Not a great deal, really...

So I phoned up FC to check, whereupon I was asked whether I thought I would ever need to upgrade the outbound. I said no, especially as I'd have CH access and could wangle extra legroom or a bulkhead via my Au status.

The FC representative said, "then we'll look for O out and M back, and we'll upgrade the M to G. That comes in at £595 and 20k miles, sir."

Interestingly, the change fee is the standard M bucket (lower) fee of £100, even if I wanted to change the O leg.

And the bonus? The ex-EWR is the VS2 on a 787.

Well done, and shows what you can do with a helpful and knowledgeable FC agent.

Agreed, Bretty: a very smart and quick agent.

Repeat after me, everyone: it's always worth giving FC a call!

[Neil]

Yes, you can pretty much combine any fare code/class.

The interesting part is that the M fare change fee would apply. Usually it is the most restrictive fare code that applies to the whole journey which would be the O fare code rules.

Yes, you can pretty much combine any fare code/class.

The interesting part is that the M fare change fee would apply. Usually it is the most restrictive fare code that applies to the whole journey which would be the O fare code rules.

I really never knew about mixing fare codes on a single ticket. It really opens up all kinds of possibilities...

Apart from the nice price, I too was surprised by the M fare change fee being applied to the whole ticket too.

I think this is what is called a "combi fare". The website doesn't explain too much here, but here's the link: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/spend-miles/reward-flights/combi-fares.html

I think this is what is called a "combi fare". The website doesn't explain too much here, but here's the link: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/spend-miles/reward-flights/combi-fares.html

My understanding is that CombiFares are where one leg is revenue and one leg is a full mileage redemption. I think both legs have to be in the same cabin, and they can't be used for UC at all.

[Neil]

I think this is what is called a "combi fare". The website doesn't explain too much here, but here's the link: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/spend-miles/reward-flights/combi-fares.html

My understanding is that CombiFares are where one leg is revenue and one leg is a full mileage redemption. I think both legs have to be in the same cabin, and they can't be used for UC at all.

Correct, a combifare is used when you are mixing a full revenue fare for one leg and a cash fare for the other leg. They don't have to both be in the same class though.

We have used different fares for different legs loads of times, it is a good way to use miles IMO.

Agreed, Bretty: a very smart and quick agent.

Repeat after me, everyone: it's always worth giving FC a call!

I don't fly anywhere near as much as you do but I always ring up to book , I once spent over an hour on the phone with one agent going through lots of different options dates etc and she couldn't have been more helpful

I don't fly anywhere near as much as you do but I always ring up to book , I once spent over an hour on the phone with one agent going through lots of different options dates etc and she couldn't have been more helpful

It's amazing how a good agent can make such a difference.

I normally book online but this post inspired me as I was also looking for specific mixed fares, so I called and the agent helped me get exactly what I needed

I wonder why the online system doesn't make this possible though?

Welcome to v-flyer, laurent: glad to have been of help ,and that your first post reports a success story!

I think this is what is called a "combi fare". The website doesn't explain too much here, but here's the link: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/spend-miles/reward-flights/combi-fares.html

My understanding is that CombiFares are where one leg is revenue and one leg is a full mileage redemption. I think both legs have to be in the same cabin, and they can't be used for UC at all.

Correct. You can mix cabins though and the miles leg can be UC just not the cash leg.

Bumping this, as I've just had to make another short-notice booking, and the process has reminded me of how the mixed Y bucket ticket is - I think - extremely good value. Once again, Economy ex-LHR/UC ex-JFK, all-in at around £600 and 20k miles. I hope someone else might find this useful.

Thanks for this, certainly strikes me as good value, and you receive the miles per a return economy trip correct?

Must be nice to have access to the CH flying economy, one if the reasons I'm making a push for AU this year!

[Neil]

Thanks for this, certainly strikes me as good value, and you receive the miles per a return economy trip correct?

Must be nice to have access to the CH flying economy, one if the reasons I'm making a push for AU this year!

Correct

Thanks for this, certainly strikes me as good value, and you receive the miles per a return economy trip correct?

Must be nice to have access to the CH flying economy, one if the reasons I'm making a push for AU this year!

Yes you receive miles for both legs, and a mixed bag of TPs. In my particular example, it's two TPs (O bucket) for the flight out and three on the way back (M-G bucket upgrade): five total.

I really never expect this - and it is variable - but my general experience is that cabin crew go out of their way for Au pax in Y (I've had UC meals on occasion, drinks from the UC bar etc) .

The other thing is - and I've had this confirmed several times - this is one of very few examples of a mixed-bucket ticket in which the least restrictive change fee is applied to both sectors: £100.

I think for people that don't travel too much, or are not able to earn too many miles, it's a really nice way to experience UC, earn miles and TPs and have them stretch further for a reasonable cost. It's always going to be cheaper doing the Y sector ex-LHR because of the very high fees for UC/J ex-LHR.