Bits: BA Gatwick update, Etihad Guest status with one flight, Virgin America via Flying Club

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

• Jon says:

  12 Nov12 November 12:59

  I managed to get a one way Virgin America flight from SFO to EWR last summer. Something like 10,000 miles and $5 tax. I had reserved first class for more miles but lost the seat as Tesco CC declined the transaction as they classed it as suspicious. First class got sleeping bags and practically any drink they wanted, which on a 5 hour night flight would have been very useful. I do hope that with the transition to Alaska they keep the name as the safety video.

  • dps says:

    12 Nov12 November 19:40

    I also redeemed (admittedly rather a lot of) VFC Miles for a one-way VX SFO-JFK in First) and had the best service, comfort, entertainment and catering in 40 years of US domestic flights.Let’s hope AS leaves the brand alone, increases its route network and allows redemptions for Avios.

    • Rob says:

      12 Nov12 November 20:43

      The brand is going, because Richard Branson gets a 1% cut on all Virgin America ticket sales and Alaska is keen to cut that off.

      • Callum says:

        12 Nov12 November 22:57

        I take it that’s just your opinion? Everything I’ve seen says Alaska are considering keeping it given its popularity. What’s a 1% royalty if the brand is increasing revenue by more than 1%? There must be a reason so many companies are paying for the brand!

        • Rob says:

          12 Nov12 November 23:41

          Scrapping it was the original plan I believe. Not sure if they have changed their mind – 1% is a lot if your profit margin is 3% (number plucked from the air).

        • Callum says:

          13 Nov13 November 12:16

          Yes its a high percentage, but if it increases your profit margin by more than 1% then it’s clearly still worth it!

          Whether it actually does or not I don’t know. Clearly it has so far, but Alaska already has a good brand which may erode some of the advantage.

• Tilly71 says:

  12 Nov12 November 16:04

  Have VA changed passwords already? The account won’t allow me access today.

  • Genghis says:

    12 Nov12 November 16:46

    Transitioning from noon today until late on Sun IIRC

• Genghis says:

  12 Nov12 November 16:54

  OT. Early doors EZY flight out of LGW North tomorrow. Which lounge should I use with a Priority Pass? TIA

• Simon says:

  12 Nov12 November 21:54

  I did the New York marathon last Sunday, decided the extra legroom in Virgin America first class was worth paying for a flight the next day. I was very impressed with the seat, more than adequate for a 2 hour flight, plus having a movie made the journey go quicker, my poached egg breakfast was streets ahead of anything I’ve had on BA.

  Wonder what they will do about lounges now, I didn’t feel like paying 75 dollars to use the Virgin clubhouse given the amount of time I’d spend in there. I really feel lounge access shouldn’t be extra for a first class ticket.

• YL says:

  15 Nov15 November 16:07

  Sorry for the OT question, but VS related.
  I was wondering if anyone is able to see the VS Shop Away account correctly after the update? My VS account is now linked with a new Shop Away account with no record of any shopping history…
  Thanks

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.