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Slightly complex situation – had 2 select vouchers from a cancelled flight, so booked myself and my partner MAN-ATL return with them. Then I called up to add our infant (additional £126.70). Our eventual destination is DEN, but it is not possible to book connecting flights with the select voucher, so these need to be booked separately and go through the faff of collecting bags and checking in again. I want to book the ATL-DEN/DEN-ATL legs with my points.
It seems like you cannot search for domestic Delta flights on the virgin website any more. There are 9 available flights showing on the delta website (Jun 12/Jun 28), but none showing with a virgin search. How can I book these domestic legs using my points?
I’ve booked Delta domestic via the Virgin app very recently but availability can be very patchy.
It’s my understanding that Virgin will add the domestic flight to a long haul points booking, but you’d still have to collect and re-check your bags at ATL because of US immigration/customs rules.
Yes, you always have to pick up bags when arriving in the US, regardless of being on the same ticket.
That’s good to know, thanks (although I didn’t do that from LA to Vegas a couple of years back, but maybe a different scenario).
If the Delta flights are appearing bookable with Delta points on their website (There are 8 flights a day with excellent availability), does that mean Virgin can book them, and they are just not showing on the app?
If not, is the best option to transfer the points to delta and book directly (if that is even possible?). Appreciate it would be more expensive, but we really need these flights.
Are VS points and DL not different (like AA miles and avios)?
I was also looking for GCM-ATL at the end of March but there’s nothing until April 2nd which is too late for us.
@davefl will know the answer to this, hopefully he’ll be along shortly.That’s good to know, thanks (although I didn’t do that from LA to Vegas a couple of years back, but maybe a different scenario).
If the Delta flights are appearing bookable with Delta points on their website (There are 8 flights a day with excellent availability), does that mean Virgin can book them, and they are just not showing on the app?
No, DL provide completely different availability on their website to the very few they provide to partners.
If not, is the best option to transfer the points to delta and book directly (if that is even possible?). Appreciate it would be more expensive, but we really need these flights.
You can’t, they’re not the same currency. The only airlines that allow transfers between programs are those that use Avios.
You always have to collect your bags at ATL but it’s not a faff and the agent at MAN can tag them to Den if you’re on a same day connection. You go through immigration, collect your bag, go around the corner and give them to a guy who puts in on the transfer belt.
(Funnily enough I was on a next day connection to DEN via ATL a couple of years ago and they “lost” 10 people’s bags at ATL. Just 10 very annoyed passengers were about to depart for the hotel/connecting flights the bags were found dumped in a corner at the other end of the baggage hall. )
You absolutely can see all DL availablility on the Virgin site, just start at the home page, click on the Search for Reward Flights button and fill in the details. I just picked a random date of 17th August and there’s both econonmy and business available.
Word of advice, I wouldn’t accept less than a 3 hour connection at ATL. It’s a huge airport and it takes a long time to get through immigration, collect bags, recheck, and then get to your terminal/gate.
If you’re flying in on UC, you will be able to use any of the Delta Sky clubs by showing your UC and onward boarding passes.
Thanks, all clear.
Do the amount of reward seat typically change, or if they’re not showing now, should I give up on the idea?
Thanks, all clear.
Do the amount of reward seat typically change, or if they’re not showing now, should I give up on the idea?
Honestly no idea, I don’t think anyone has ever tracked that.
Btw, if you do need to stay overnight as I did because I wasn’t prepared to risk a short connection (2 hours) on seperate tickets, there’s an Indigo hotel near the airport if you want an IHG option.
If you’re flying in on UC, you will be able to use any of the Delta Sky clubs by showing your UC and onward boarding passes.
It’s a little more complex than that as I’ve found many times over the years. The full DL Sky Club access policy is at https://delta.com/us/en/delta-sky-club/access, which has been updating following VS ascension in to SkyTeam as full members. In short, on the outbound, if you’re travelling Upper, then you need to be travelling domestic Delta One on your same-day connection – next-day connections don’t grant access (unless you get an agent prepared to ignore the rules, which is rare). In reverse, it’s easier, as your Upper onward ticket will give you access to the Sky Club.
Do the amount of reward seat typically change, or if they’re not showing now, should I give up on the idea?
I have had my eye on a few redemptions of late – availability for four of them has increased since early December, likely as we’re getting close to departure, so – yes, they do change, and typically it seems to be when there are corresponding price changes (which likely is as a result of RM making changes to on-sale buckets to sell more inventory).
Thanks, all clear.
Do the amount of reward seat typically change, or if they’re not showing now, should I give up on the idea?
Sometimes yes, normally nearer the date as long as inventory remains reasonable. I’m tracking one for March, 2 flights, the afternoon flight has appeared now for 7000 points less than Delta, but I need the AM one to appear to be able to connect to my ATL-MAN flight.
If you have transferable AMEX points then I’ve also noticed Flying Blue have some good offers on DL flights for less than DL or VS.
IME Americans book lots of domestic and short-haul award flights speculatively because of the crazy low taxes, then cancel close to the travel date when their plans are finalised. You get quite a lot of AA availability appearing within around 3 months of departure as well.
Thanks all. Award availability is good from LAS, just 16,000 points for 2 adults and baby to SLC +$16 (which is an alternative final destination for us). Now just a matter of getting my select voucher booking + infant changed from MAN-ATL, to LHR-LAS. Theoretically easy, practically no doubt difficult. Already on hold for an hour…
Thanks all. Award availability is good from LAS, just 16,000 points for 2 adults and baby to SLC +$16 (which is an alternative final destination for us). Now just a matter of getting my select voucher booking + infant changed from MAN-ATL, to LHR-LAS. Theoretically easy, practically no doubt difficult. Already on hold for an hour…
How anout MAN-LAS? There econ and prem econ showing on the 13 and 27th at the saver levels
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