Taxes on ANA flights with Virgin Points vs United Airlines

[sunseeker]

Hello, hoping someone can shed some light please. I’m looking to book Tokyo – Shanghai on ANA, using Virgin points. When looking on United Airlines (for availability), I can see the points needed are 45k + £20 in tax. But when I phone Virgin they are charging 50k + £160 in taxes, is there any advice on how I can get the 45k + £20 using virgin points?

[phantomchickenz]

It’s not apples with apples. You’ll only get the £20 cost if using United miles

[davefl]

Not only that but United and Virgin are in different airline alliances. It’s only by a twist of history with a negotiated partnership that you can book ANA with Virgin at all.

Unless its Finnair/Qatar/BA/Aer Lingus/Iberia you can’t compare mileage requirements from any airline with any other.