Miles (or lack of) warning..

Hi,

I know this has been covered from a different angle in a previous thread, but thougt it was worthy of its own topic as a warning..

I was under the impression that all Virgin holidays were booked as "V" class for Economy Virgin Atlantic..

This was one of the reasons for me booking through Virgin Holidays as opposed to just getting the cheapest fare and hotel elsewhere..

I was surprised to see that although I earned outbound miles to SFO, the return miles had not been credited..

After an email to Flying Club went unanswered for ten days *grr*, I thought I'd phone up to check.

I was not expecting to hear that my return flight was actually booked in N class. The FC agent agreed this was unusual and usually saw V class for Virgin Holidays, but assured me that it was definately a N class fare and thus not miles earning. The outbound leg was booked in X.

(Actually its not the miles I'm concerned about as must as the tier points)

I'm surprised, and cross with myself for not double checking prior to flying, and gutted that (it seems) I can't rely on VH to provide miles earning flights..

jules.

Hi Jules,

It appears that VH book their MEGAfare deals in N class (subject to availability) so if you are booking one, its worth asking the VH rep what class they are booking in. All is not bad news though, since as of the 1st March 2006 you should earn 1 TP and 50% of actual miles flown on the current non-earning routes for flights booked into N class.

Hope that Helps,

Juliet

Another thing to check is, if you phone flying club, and try to upgrade with points, or miles for money, or companion ticket but just end up buying a normal fare ticket that they don't book it in N class as they did this to me on my ticket to Australia last year. However when I did query it they did credit my account with some miles.

Originally posted by Juliet
Hi Jules,
It appears that VH book their MEGAfare deals in N class

I can't recall if it was a Mega Deal or not - there is nothing on the booking confirmation to indicate it was. There was nothing during the online reservation process that gave me any rise for concern that it would not be miles earning like other flights booked previously through VH.

I've not come across this before (and neither had the FC agent by the sounds of it), so if it is indeed a recent change of booking policy, then it has (IMHO) been brought in very sneakily..

It would certianly have affected my booking decision had I known.

jules.

[mitchja]

I have heard this is passing a few times over the last couple of weeks or so, though as Juliet says, from March 1st all VS revenue fares will earn at least 1 TP and at least 50% miles per leg, although I appreciate this is no use in your case.

Regards

I had a similar problem with a return sector from Havana last Sept.

If VA have availability in N, VH will book into that class regardless of whether you have made a magedeal booking with them or not. [:0]

I needed the TP's to get to Silver, spoke to F.C - They sorted it for me thankfully They did confirm however, that V class is not guaranteed for all VH Econ bookings, if N's available they will use it! [}:)]

Check at time of booking, or save those pennies for PE/UC[y]

Is anyone else having trouble actually BOOKING anything through VH? I've been looking at various short breaks options over the past few s days and when I check availability, more often than not I get an error message. I'm at a loss to know why, am I the only one???

Originally posted by catsilversword
when I check availability, more often than not I get an error message.

I wouldn't bother - phone up instead, to be sure what you're getting!

jules.

Originally posted by mitchja
I have heard this is passing a few times over the last couple of weeks or so

So, it does appear to be a "new" thing? Hmm.

jules.

[RichardMannion]

I was made aware of it last year in Sept when making a booking for my parents - fortunately the people at FVC at VH told me about it. It was tied into a supplement discount being given, if I wanted the miles I would have to waivie the supp discoutn (soemthing like 30 pounds each).

Thanks,
Richard

Good to know this as we usually took a VH east coast Y cheapie. No TPs would have totally cocked up our Au requalification for the past couple of years.