US & Virgin Help

[ravtino]

We are looking to book next year and I want to pick your brains, I have price Virgin flights up for next July/ august and as you would expect they are expensive! I can not use miles companion etc, now when I have rung virgin they tell me that maybe they havent been released yet (thats the miles things) now they tell me to try the week after Xmas - I booked at this time last year and got some great deals using miles etc, so what I want to know is has anyone booked this time using options for next summer.

The other alternative is to go with US airways via Philly and save £360 on the three flights, so what do you all think? has anyone done the US airways to Philly (well I know you will have) is the hour and a half (round about) enough time to get through customs and to the gate etc

[dawn burley]

We have flown US Air a few times now and have been very impressed with the service. Once our connection was just over an hour and we still boarded our connecting flight with time to spare. Unfortunately I can not advise regarding Virgin miles as I have not booked flights with miles yet but someone on this forum will have, I'm sure!

Dawn

[IanW]

Last year we booked with Virgin between Christmas and New Year. We used miles plus money, lots of dates were suddenly available for August and they had a mini sale on. We're waiting for the same time this year but there's always a small chance there won't be any tickets left.
Ian

[steph_goodrum]

I've had an email from Virgin today with offers that are available in the Telegraph until Dec 5th. New York is from £249, orlando isnt on the email list but it says full destinations are in there. will look tomorrow,

[ravtino]

Yes Steph I had the same e-mail, I think I will just keep checking as I have looked at the dates I booked last year and it was around the 15th December, then maybe I can use my miles again and miles + money, I have to say I have never managed to use my companion flights. Yes Ian and there is always that chance, I have been watching for a few weeks and the prices are going up weekly!

But If nothing by New Year I will def book US Airways.

[ellie]

We have travelled with US via Philly which is a great airport.

Having had problems with a flight with too short a turn around time last Christmas we prefer to err on the side of caution as you cannot tell how long Immigration etc. will take at peak times. But if your flight was delayed, or it took longer going through immigration they will put you on the next available flight. An hour and a half may be fine as long as your flight from the UK is not delayed in any way, and as long as there are not long queues at Immigration. Coming back it should be no problem as you don't have to collect your luggage - you merely have to get from one gate to another.

Am sure you will have a great time whichever route you decide to take! [8D]

[ravtino]

Thanks Ellie I am sure we will, mind you this time our son is classed as an adult as he will be 12 in Jan As if they arn't expensive enough in school hols

[wrpac00]

Have managed to use companion fares 5 times in the past 4 years.

I was told they were not released a couple of months ago but its a case of checking daily. The best way to do it (as advised by a very helpful Virgin person) was to pick your dates and then put a tick in the box 'Spend miles' if it takes to a page where you get a choice then they are available, ring them up and book using your miles.

[ravtino]

Yes Paul thats what the very helpful virgin man said to me , keep checking daily so will do just that[msnsmile]

[ellie]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ravtino
Thanks Ellie I am sure we will, mind you this time our son is classed as an adult as he will be 12 in Jan As if they arn't expensive enough in school hols
[/quote]

Hey, being 12 is cheap compared to being 19!!! You need a mortgage for the big shoes let alone anything else!

But you know you wouldn't be without him - even though he is now an expensive luxury...[msnwink]