I’ve collected enough points for a return business class reward flight from SYD to LAX... only I hadn’t realised when I started collecting velocity points for this very purpose (I have family in California) quite how scarce these are.
It seems to be that there is close to zero availability 3-12 months out, but seats open up nearer the time. I’m fine with that and can be flexible. However finding an out and a return 10-14 days apart is nigh on impossible. I have found some one way availability... but then a single for the return sector costs nearly as much as a full return ticket for the same dates.
Has anyone got any advice? Is it worth ringing the call centre (I’m platinum if that helps) to see if they have availability for the return not shown on the website, or if there’s a cheaper booking class for the return sector to go with the reward outward sector?
You haven't noted what time of the year you're trying to book so it may be due to school holidays, seasonal demand, or even the US trade show/conference season. Also working against you in Virgin's small number of flights...
Try from Melbourne and Brisbane, then book a domestic flight separate. There are more seats open from those ports than from Sydney. But good luck - I gave up on this several years ago!
I've never seen VA business seats up for points. Never. If you want to use FF points for the US, then commit to Qantas. One option to try (am not sure if it's possible though) is to call their partner line and see if you can get seats on Delta.
Try from Melbourne and Brisbane, then book a domestic flight separate. There are more seats open from those ports than from Sydney. But good luck - I gave up on this several years ago!
I fly from BNE, and it's the same problem for us. Plus, there is now one less flight per week from BNE, so even less seats.
I've never seen VA business seats up for points. Never. If you want to use FF points for the US, then commit to Qantas. One option to try (am not sure if it's possible though) is to call their partner line and see if you can get seats on Delta.
If Delta seats are available, they'll show up online - but it's rare that they're released. I didn't believe they did until one randomly popped up one day when searching!
Virgin Australia does have some reward availability to LAX, but it can also be rare as it's a popular route. If you're interested, we compared reward availability with Qantas and Virgin across a range of routes earlier this year (including to LAX): you can find our report here.
You haven't noted what time of the year you're trying to book so it may be due to school holidays, seasonal demand, or even the US trade show/conference season. Also working against you in Virgin's small number of flights...
Any time really, avoiding the obvious Christmas/Easter etc, but I was looking for any two week period over the year.
I've never seen VA business seats up for points. Never. If you want to use FF points for the US, then commit to Qantas. One option to try (am not sure if it's possible though) is to call their partner line and see if you can get seats on Delta.
If Delta seats are available, they'll show up online - but it's rare that they're released. I didn't believe they did until one randomly popped up one day when searching!
Virgin Australia does have some reward availability to LAX, but it can also be rare as it's a popular route. If you're interested, we compared reward availability with Qantas and Virgin across a range of routes earlier this year (including to LAX): you can find our report here.
Thanks everyone, good suggestions re Delta and Bris/Mel. I’ll carry on looking!
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
SYD/LAX reward space
Tom-125
Tom-125
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 13 Nov 2015
Total posts 14
Hi all,
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456
You haven't noted what time of the year you're trying to book so it may be due to school holidays, seasonal demand, or even the US trade show/conference season. Also working against you in Virgin's small number of flights...
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 771
Doesn't virgin price reward tickets as one-way? So couldn't you just book separate one-way flights?
julius-grafton
julius-grafton
Member since 23 May 2012
Total posts 10
Try from Melbourne and Brisbane, then book a domestic flight separate. There are more seats open from those ports than from Sydney. But good luck - I gave up on this several years ago!
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 114
I've never seen VA business seats up for points. Never. If you want to use FF points for the US, then commit to Qantas. One option to try (am not sure if it's possible though) is to call their partner line and see if you can get seats on Delta.
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 114
I fly from BNE, and it's the same problem for us. Plus, there is now one less flight per week from BNE, so even less seats.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
If Delta seats are available, they'll show up online - but it's rare that they're released. I didn't believe they did until one randomly popped up one day when searching!
Virgin Australia does have some reward availability to LAX, but it can also be rare as it's a popular route. If you're interested, we compared reward availability with Qantas and Virgin across a range of routes earlier this year (including to LAX): you can find our report here.
antkleve
antkleve
American Airlines - AAdvantage
Member since 15 Feb 2013
Total posts 18
I've managed to get them quite a few times the day before the flight. That's the only way that I've been able to redeem them.
Tom-125
Tom-125
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 13 Nov 2015
Total posts 14
Any time really, avoiding the obvious Christmas/Easter etc, but I was looking for any two week period over the year.
Tom-125
Tom-125
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 13 Nov 2015
Total posts 14
Yup but the one way price is not half the return price.... often more like 80%!
Tom-125
Tom-125
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 13 Nov 2015
Total posts 14
If Delta seats are available, they'll show up online - but it's rare that they're released. I didn't believe they did until one randomly popped up one day when searching!
Virgin Australia does have some reward availability to LAX, but it can also be rare as it's a popular route. If you're interested, we compared reward availability with Qantas and Virgin across a range of routes earlier this year (including to LAX): you can find our report here.