Best use of VA miles calling all experts

[fraser301]

I have about 190 K miles and have secured 4 reward companion flights looking to book next Summer and would welcome advice ideally is it best to use the miles to upgrade once mileage seats are available. Is it best to book an economy or premium seat and the upgrade with the companion to UC or alternatively book UC and use the companion voucher-all guidance appreciated

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

Do you mean you have 4 reward vouchers to use?
How many passengers?
Is the goal to end up in UC?
What is your FC status level?

[fraser301]

We are hoping to go with the family 4 adults 1 child 1 infant ideally to go in Uc my mother and father have about 100 K while my husband has around 40 K so between us in excess of 300k currently all flying red members

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

I'd probably look for 2 x UC miles seats plus 2 x UC companion seats for the adults - this will need the 300000 miles and require 4 x UC taxes in ££ and 2 x vouchers.

The next bit depends on if the infant requires a seat?

[fraser301]

The infant is one going out and two on the return which complicates things further

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

Yeah, bit tricky that one. A one way UC fare would be very painful. I'd probably suggest 2 x UC child return for cash. Keeps the number of reward seats required down to 4 and avoids the one way issue. If there is another reward seat and a voucher spare maybe ask about 1 cash seat plus one companion but I'm not sure if it's possible on a child fare.

[fraser301]

All sorted one way essentially 97K in UC and apparently 2 and a half companion flights -dont quite understand how that works ? However VA really helpful so with miles and taxes from Edinburgh around just over £1200 and now awaiting the seats to pop up on 2 September and to make a separate booking

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

Originally Posted by fraser301

All sorted one way essentially 97K in UC and apparently 2 and a half companion flights -dont quite understand how that works ? However VA really helpful so with miles and taxes from Edinburgh around just over £1200 and now awaiting the seats to pop up on 2 September and to make a separate booking

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I'll be honest and say I've no idea how they've calculated that , it must be a combination of PE rewards, companions and upgrades to UC. Great result though, fingers crossed for the returns