- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Flight to London, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic
Posted on 7/9/23 at 5:53 pm
Posted on 7/9/23 at 5:53 pm
Taking the family for our first intl trip next year and looks like we are starting in London. I can transfer my Chase points directly to either BA or Virgin.
Been reading online that BA is maybe slipping from their past excellence. Anybody have recent experience with either?
Taking 4 on this trip, so no First Class or Business, this would be for Premium Economy or similar
Been reading online that BA is maybe slipping from their past excellence. Anybody have recent experience with either?
Taking 4 on this trip, so no First Class or Business, this would be for Premium Economy or similar
Posted on 7/9/23 at 9:27 pm to OldManRiver
Took BA last October for the Saints game. I am 6'2 and I was fine in it. No issues with the food on the plane either
Posted on 7/9/23 at 11:05 pm to OldManRiver
I have flown British Airways several times and have never had a problem.
Posted on 7/10/23 at 6:27 am to OldManRiver
We flew BA on a return trip from London to DFW. We were on the A380 in premium economy. If you can get a flight on the A380, do BA.
Posted on 7/10/23 at 7:35 am to OldManRiver
There is a hefty fuel surcharge for BA flights into London. That should be taken into consideration because it's not just the points. I just did a check from IAD to Heathrow off-peak, It's 42500 Avios plus $280 each way per person.
I don't have a Virgin account so I can't give you a comparison there.
FYI, business class on BA is 80000 Avios plus $350.00.
I don't have a Virgin account so I can't give you a comparison there.
FYI, business class on BA is 80000 Avios plus $350.00.
Posted on 7/10/23 at 8:18 am to VABuckeye
I believe Virgin has some fairly steep fuel surcharges as well.
Posted on 7/10/23 at 8:32 am to OldManRiver
I've flown both and they're both fine. Few years ago I did a last minute ride to Heathrow on a well-worn Virgin in coach and it was not bad at all.
This post was edited on 7/10/23 at 8:32 am
Posted on 7/10/23 at 9:40 am to OldManRiver
BA has direct from/to MSY
Otherwise, I would chose VA
Otherwise, I would chose VA
Posted on 7/10/23 at 9:44 am to H2O Tiger
quote:
I believe Virgin has some fairly steep fuel surcharges as well.
If OP has Chase is there a benefit to booking with points as opposed to just using the Chase travel portal? I guess you could get a better deal with points direct? OP I'd suggest setting a flight tracker on Google and book using the Chase Portal, or at least keep it as an option. You can get a good deal that way and through the portal is 25% off.
Posted on 7/10/23 at 10:16 am to baldona
I agree about the discount but I'm not sure the fuel surcharges would go away.
Posted on 7/10/23 at 7:04 pm to baldona
quote:
You can get a good deal that way and through the portal is 25% off.
Absolutely, however my understanding is that technically you booking through Expedia when you do that. That absolutely won’t matter if everything goes smoothly, but if SHTF I’m wondering if it would be better to be booked directly through the airline and not 3rd party
Posted on 7/10/23 at 7:06 pm to VABuckeye
quote:
points. I just did a check from IAD to Heathrow off-peak, It's 42500 Avios plus $280 each way per person
Virgin has flights for 17500 points per person plus $350
Posted on 7/10/23 at 7:38 pm to OldManRiver
Is that premium economy? The number I quoted was.
Posted on 7/10/23 at 10:40 pm to OldManRiver
FYI join AARP (any age can join) and there's a deal that takes $65 per person per flight on roundtrips in economy or premium economy and $200 off business on British Airways flights.
There's also a possibility of another 10% off British Airways flights with Chase cards, google is your friend and may help you make this trip cheaper.
Saying all that hard product wise I'm pretty sure VA is better.
There's also a possibility of another 10% off British Airways flights with Chase cards, google is your friend and may help you make this trip cheaper.
Saying all that hard product wise I'm pretty sure VA is better.
This post was edited on 7/10/23 at 10:41 pm
Posted on 7/10/23 at 10:46 pm to VABuckeye
Fuel surcharges stay. I just flew BA FCO-LHR-IAH in Business on points and the taxes and fees were over $400 per person.
The taxes/fees in and out of London are crazy and more airlines/countries are jumping on board. My Air France JFK-CDG was almost $300 in taxes and fees per person when booking on points
The taxes/fees in and out of London are crazy and more airlines/countries are jumping on board. My Air France JFK-CDG was almost $300 in taxes and fees per person when booking on points
Posted on 7/11/23 at 8:24 am to H2O Tiger
That VA redemption is awesome!
Posted on 7/11/23 at 10:54 am to OldManRiver
quote:
Absolutely, however my understanding is that technically you booking through Expedia when you do that. That absolutely won’t matter if everything goes smoothly, but if SHTF I’m wondering if it would be better to be booked directly through the airline and not 3rd party
It’s not Expedia it’s the chase travel portal but it looks like Expedia, may be ran by them IdK?
You get to pick seats and what not, you basically book direct through the airlines their portal just helps find and pay for the flights. But you are right in regards to likely not getting the same preference. But does points give you a high preference also?
Either way saving 25% is pretty significant. Unless it’s a great points transfer which is very unlikely on Virgin or BA then it would be hard to beat.
Posted on 7/11/23 at 11:01 am to baldona
quote:
But does points give you a high preference also?
Good question. I do know for sure that you have more leverage with the airline if you book direct rather than Expedia. What I don't know is if Chase travel has the same leverage.
Posted on 7/11/23 at 11:15 am to VABuckeye
I haven’t used Expedia for many years and I know there were times I wasn’t able to pick seats. Picking seats is the biggest issue with low priority as if you don’t have a seat you may be bumped.
This past fall I used the chase portal to book delta/ Air France and I could pick all 4 seats and we talked to the airlines directly about a seat issue with my 3 kids. This is anecdotal certainly.
This past fall I used the chase portal to book delta/ Air France and I could pick all 4 seats and we talked to the airlines directly about a seat issue with my 3 kids. This is anecdotal certainly.
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News