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Forums Frequent flyer programs Virgin Flying Club HELP – “Cheapest” options to get to/from Miami

  • paul-uk 116 posts

    I need to book a return flight (for 2) out May 17th 2025 and back May 28th (actually June 1st but that hasn’t opened up yet)

    I have 200,000 Virgin Points

    I can fly from LHR (expensive taxes) or a European airport.

    We’d like to fly out Premium (day flight) and back UC (night flight).

    It is doing my head in trying to work out the lowest cost in ££, Euro, Dollars and Points etc.

    I’ve looked on the Virgin website but it rarely shows partner airlines – and I really cannot get my head around the searches on the Air France, KLM or Delta websites (one search returned 1.1 million miles plus 700 Euro)

    I’ve also looked at the various articles on HfP re Virgin Points and Partners too but it hasn’t really helped.

    Does anyone have any spare time and fancy lending a hand please?

    I also have 2 x Virgin Credit Card Vouchers to use if possible?

    NorthernLass 9,496 posts

    I can’t help with other airlines but you can only use your credit card vouchers on Virgin flights.

    MIA flights in school holidays are probably going to be expensive (your travel dates fall in May half term) so a points booking may well be the best option here, if there is availability. VS surcharges are high, but you would get good value from applying the vouchers to upgrade to your preferred cabins.

    Guernsey Globetrotter 689 posts

    According to Seatspy VS currently has availability of 2 seats only on May 17 on both flights (VS5 @ 10.40 / VS117 @ 15.30) in PE and UC – 22.5k points / £416.49 TFCs or 47.5k & £646.49 respectively.

    You don’t say if you have Virgin status but assuming you don’t then, as @NorthernLass says, the voucher is better used as an upgrade (rather than 2-4-1.5) if you don’t mind using both vouchers on one trip that is: You’ll both pay 22.5k points plus the UC level of TFCs to go UC or 12.5k points plus the PE level of TFCs if just upgrading from economy.

    The return leg will be the same points and then USD TFCs at $417.80 or $1027.80 respectively PE/UC.

    Can’t help with other airline options but hopefully this is a start. Finally, be prepared that it could be very hot when you go – we were there this May and the temperatures were in the mid 90s (35C) with a ‘feels like’ rating of 100+ due to humidity… phew!

    paul-uk 116 posts

    According to Seatspy VS currently has availability of 2 seats only on May 17 on both flights (VS5 @ 10.40 / VS117 @ 15.30) in PE and UC – 22.5k points / £416.49 TFCs or 47.5k & £646.49 respectively.

    You don’t say if you have Virgin status but assuming you don’t then, as @NorthernLass says, the voucher is better used as an upgrade (rather than 2-4-1.5) if you don’t mind using both vouchers on one trip that is: You’ll both pay 22.5k points plus the UC level of TFCs to go UC or 12.5k points plus the PE level of TFCs if just upgrading from economy.

    The return leg will be the same points and then USD TFCs at $417.80 or $1027.80 respectively PE/UC.

    Can’t help with other airline options but hopefully this is a start. Finally, be prepared that it could be very hot when you go – we were there this May and the temperatures were in the mid 90s (35C) with a ‘feels like’ rating of 100+ due to humidity… phew!

    I currently have Virgin Silver that expires end September – TBH I have no idea how I have that as we generally only do 1 Virgin TA flight each year.

    Just checked and seems we only have 1 voucher so I need to double-check that.

    Dont mind flying Premium during day flight out to MIA but really need my bed for the night flight back to LHR lol

    We’re doing a couple of cruises so plenty of air conditioning if needed and a drinks package for when we brave the heat.

    Guernsey Globetrotter 689 posts

    @paul-uk if you only have one voucher but you do have silver status then you get a true 2-4-1 deal. They can use half the voucher to book the out bound now if you phone and then apply the other half for your return (once the flights are released). If I was you I’d call ASAP to book as there’s no guarantee the reward seats will stick around for long nor that any more will be released. If you decide to do things differently then it costs £30 pp to cancel. Virgin Silver line is 0344 412 3121 but if booking into upper class I’d ring the upper line 0344 742 4385. Good luck!

    PS unlike with BA, you DO earn tier points on Virgin reward flights so you may have got Silver that way? I keep my Silver status with 2 long haul UC redemptions a year.

    SDMITCH 11 posts

    I can’t speak for Virgin and their Delta alliance, but interestingly,on the Oneworld alliance I find that the taxes/fees on BA flights are always far more than alliance flights (such as American Airlines.) – £275 more in fees on BA for 2 Business Class tickets to Miami next May for example when compared to American Airlines on the same dates. Does Delta show an availibility calendar for next May? – If they’re anything like American, prices can vary hugely from one day to the next – date (and time) flexibility is the key. I collect AA miles (have done for nearly 40 years) and have saved a fortune in the add on taxes/fees by choosing their flights over BA.

    paul-uk 116 posts

    @paul-uk if you only have one voucher but you do have silver status then you get a true 2-4-1 deal. They can use half the voucher to book the out bound now if you phone and then apply the other half for your return (once the flights are released). If I was you I’d call ASAP to book as there’s no guarantee the reward seats will stick around for long nor that any more will be released. If you decide to do things differently then it costs £30 pp to cancel. Virgin Silver line is 0344 412 3121 but if booking into upper class I’d ring the upper line 0344 742 4385. Good luck!

    PS unlike with BA, you DO earn tier points on Virgin reward flights so you may have got Silver that way? I keep my Silver status with 2 long haul UC redemptions a year.

    Sorry, on a 2-4-1 Voucher, which taxes are payable by BOTH adults please?

    Is it just 1 x Adult Return Points that is saved or are part of the “free” travellers tax and airline surcharges saved too?

    NorthernLass 9,496 posts

    You both have to pay the full surcharges, you only save on the points required. Rob’s articles explain this quite well, also have a look at other Virgin threads. It took me a while to get my head round it as well!

    This is why you need the voucher to get really good value out of a redemption, because it cuts significantly the number of points you need for your chosen cabin.

    paul-uk 116 posts

    Thank You ALL for your comments.

    The forum could do with a “Like” button !!

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