-
I’m planning a February half-term 2024 skiing trip for four adults to the USA. A few resorts are in the frame, but none are accessible via a direct flight from the UK: I’m looking at airports like Boise, Bozeman, Jackson, Telluride that will require a change, probably in LAX or SEA, and an onward flight with Delta.
I have two Virgin credit card vouchers in my name and access to about 370,000 Virgin points (150K Virgin points in my name, 120K Amex points in my name and 100K Amex points in my wife’s name). I want to travel in PE or better on the transatlantic legs, and I would prefer business class on the return flight if possible. I have no Virgin status.
I’ve never booked a Virgin reward flight so don’t really know where to start. Is this even possible? Can I use my vouchers on the Virgin legs but include Delta flights on the same booking? When does Delta release reward flights? Am I best to use the vouchers as 241s or as upgrade vouchers? Should I do the BA thing and book the outward leg as soon as the seats are released and add the return leg later? Should/could I do book the domestic/transatlantic legs on different dates if flights are available at different times? Am I best simply to book cash flights and apply an upgrade voucher to the transatlantic leg? Can I use my wife’s Amex points? Should I transfer the Amex points ahead of time? I have no idea how many points I’ll need if so. Do I eve have enough points for this?
I need strategic help from an experienced Virgin, if that’s not an oxymoron. Thanks in advance.
I’d start by finding the closest airport to your eventual destination that has a DL flight to it then search on the VS website for LHR – XXX (you’ll need to select XXX from the drop down airport lists not using the airport code)
Start with searcning for 1 then 2 then 3 then 4 passengers to assess availability not only for the number of passengers but also for the availability of flights
But likely hood is you’ll find availability to a gateway but will need cash bookings for the last leg(s)
Can I combine cash and reward flights on the same booking reference with VS? I know that’s not possible with BA, but is VS different? I don’t want to lose my connection in a snowstorm.
If not, can I use the vouchers to upgrade just the VS legs if I book cash economy or PE flights.
No. Just not possible re mixing cash and rewards on the same booking.
I’m afraid VS vouchers are a mystery to me.
There are other posts on the Virgin board about them though so have a scan of those.
I was just checking the lift pass price for Big Sky in Montana … One day $250 … if you buy in advance.
One week for the 3 Valleys in the French Alps is around €340.
Ski lessons are priced at more than $1,000 per day and that does not even include tips.
I do not see why one would ever go skiing in the US!
@yonasi, you raise a whole other question that won’t get me to the Rockies. But you’ve sucked me in…
No-one pays the day rate for Big Sky; they get an Ikon pass instead. But no-one goes to North America for the prices. Some like the atmosphere and the culture; I go for the skiing.
Where in the Three Valleys can you enjoy glade skiing? Where can you reliably ski powder without a guide? Where can you pick your own line down an open mountain bowl without fear of avalanches? Where can you find avy-controlled, ungroomed snow at pitches of 40° or more? Where can you find extensive mogul pitches that run from the top to the bottom of the mountain? Where are you allowed to ski chutes, cornices and drops whilst staying in bounds? Does the Three Valleys regularly receive 12″ falls of low-moisture, low-temperature, light-as-candy-floss powder? Does the Three Valleys have a climate where storm systems regularly blow in, dump their powder, and depart leaving a bluebird powder day? Is rain unheard of at resort level in the Three Valleys.
Sure, those are niche interests. But, while I love skiing in the Alps as much as anyone (and regularly do so), a piece of my skiing heart will always be in the Eastern Rockies, from Alberta/BC down to Colorado, and, for as long as I can afford to do so, I will regularly ski there regardless of the cost or confused questions from other skiers.
But, if I am honest, I will leave the cornices and drops to others in the family.
as a really direct analysis, without looking at the full array of alternatives – YES, possible with ease.
West Coast (LAX or SEA) is 150k virgins, so 225k virgins for 2 (with a 2-4-1.5 voucher), and 450k for 4
Virgin will happy take from one of the other traveller accounts in ‘leg’ increments (e.g. 75k lumps).
And for your second flight transfer Amex to Delta OR book Alaska Airlines on BA – for around 14-18k and 11k respectively for internal flights to snowy places.
@jj I must say it sounds amazing …
North America was blessed with amazing vast land. To bad one has to pay in dollars to enjoy it!
@yonasl, I could have produced an equally long list of amazing things about the 3 Valleys that you can’t find in North America. Both types of skiing trip are incredible, and I will always be thankful that I am fortunate enough to be able to enjoy both. Neither is better; they are simply different.
Travel Strong, thanks; that’s really helpful. I’ve been struggling to cost this up with a voucher.
Slight tweak as Feb will be offpeak prices of 67.5k per leg so: 135k virgins, 202.5k virgins for 2 (with a 2-4-1.5 voucher), and 405k for 4 (with two vouchers)
Voucher flights can only be booked over the phone, best done at 7am, to avoid long hold times. Staff are generally very good, some are amazing.
Virgin let’s you use vouchers for other people, great for passengers 3 and 4. Key is finding return flights for under 135k, which I think is doable for PE. If you go above 135k you’ll need to dip into your wife’s 100k amex. Virgin have suspended household accounts, and you need silver status for one anyway. I don’t know any other way to transfer amex/virgin between you wife and yourself.
My experience of PE to Austin US on virgin was much improved food from economy, extra baggage allowance, smaller cabin, good in flight service. The plane was old, wear and tear noticeable. Oh and better seat sizes and reclines, but have a serious think about flying Upper Class at least one leg – the return leg I suspect will have lower taxes. The full bed makes a massive difference. Flight dep time comes into it. A day flight and you don’t get the full benefit of the bed.
Good luck, sounds like a great trip.
Btw what’s an ikon pass? Brief google says no longer available for this year?
PS 135k upper class one way, PE the other I think is doable. If it’s right, personally I’d go economy out and upper return. Going out you are fresh and full of excitement of the trip ahead, economy flight will soon be forgotten…and the return flight is a nice treat to end the trip on. Bit of pampering when you are tired after lots of skiing. And jet lag I find is worse on return leg from US – the bed will mitigate it a great deal.
West Coast (LAX or SEA) is 150k virgins, so 225k virgins for 2 (with a 2-4-1.5 voucher), and 450k for 4
Virgin will happy take from one of the other traveller accounts in ‘leg’ increments (e.g. 75k lumps).
I must be missing the obvious , where does 225k come from?
How do you get virgin to use another members virgin points? household accounts were the only way I thought.
@Ash, the Ikon Pass is a season ticket that covers about half of the North American ski resorts. The competing Epic pass covers most of the others, and both also cover a few European resorts.
The passes go on sale in the spring, and the price gradually increases until they are withdrawn in the Autumn. If you buy early, the breakeven point is usually about 4-5 days skiing in larger resorts.
The two passes have transformed North American skiing, and ticket-office prices have escalated to discourage day visitors. From the perspective of the resorts, the passes provide early-season cashflow and a big spending commitment from the punters. Skier days have soared as people seek to maximise the value in their pass, and, as most resorts have significant vertical integration, the operators cream additional revenue from services like food, accommodation and ski rental – prices for which have also escalated in response.
It’s a phenomenally successful business model that has been written about endlessly in the business press.
@Ash, the Ikon Pass is a season ticket that covers about half of the North American ski resorts. The competing Epic pass covers most of the others, and both also cover a few European resorts.
The passes go on sale in the spring, and the price gradually increases until they are withdrawn in the Autumn. If you buy early, the breakeven point is usually about 4-5 days skiing in larger resorts.
The two passes have transformed North American skiing, and ticket-office prices have escalated to discourage day visitors. From the perspective of the resorts, the passes provide early-season cashflow and a big spending commitment from the punters. Skier days have soared as people seek to maximise the value in their pass, and, as most resorts have significant vertical integration, the operators cream additional revenue from services like food, accommodation and ski rental – prices for which have also escalated in response.
It’s a phenomenally successful business model that has been written about endlessly in the business press.
The 2 fot 1.5 rate given to Reds. As the OP has Gold s/he will get 2 for 1
@alantj, I sadly don’t have Gold, although I am a BAEC Gold and could go for a status match. I think I’d first need to book a separate revenue flight to earn the status, though, which may not work for me.
West Coast (LAX or SEA) is 150k virgins, so 225k virgins for 2 (with a 2-4-1.5 voucher), and 450k for 4
Virgin will happy take from one of the other traveller accounts in ‘leg’ increments (e.g. 75k lumps).
I must be missing the obvious , where does 225k come from?
How do you get virgin to use another members virgin points? household accounts were the only way I thought.
@Ash – 225k was 150k x 1.5 (due to the 2-for-1.5 voucher as a Red member) BUT the base price peak is 155k peak and 135k off peak – so my first post was slightly off (corrected further down)You get virgin to use another travellers points by just saying you need to use some of their points when booking on the phone. They will oblige so long as the amount of points equates to a leg flown (e.g. 62.5k off peak).
That’s interesting @TravelStrong….a handy workaround to use a partners miles without the need of a household account.
Re the 1.5 multiplier for red members, I thought that only kicks in when redeeming Upper Class?
Yes – all numbers above are upper class (I know OP said PE or better, but why bother with PE when you have the miles for Upper 💃 )
Wow. have to say the breadth of knowledge on here, is typified by this post. I’m off to the US but not like this or skiing (enjoy!) but still a fascinating read and insightful. Thanks to all.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
