Florida in 5 years...best options...Virgin or BA

RunningMan_2

I am planning what will probably for us be a once in a lifetime trip to Florida for myself, wife and two daughters (currently age 6 and 3) in about 5 years time. It'll be either at easter or August school holidays and we'll be able to book as soon as flights etc are available.

I've been taking a look at both the Virgin and BA loyalty schemes and credit cards. By my reckoning if we put all our spending on the Virgin Black card and buy points with all our Tesco Clubcard spending we can accumulate enough points to cover all the flights (I realise we still have to pay taxes etc) in just over 3 years. This includes current bonuses for getting hte Black card. The equivalent with BA takes just under 5 years if I've calculated correctly!

By doing this we would be losing about £150 credit card cashback per year plus the £140/£150 annual fee and also the clubcard points which we currently use for days out and meals out. But we'd have our flights paid for which would really help towards the cost.

Does anyone have any advice on:

(a) whether going into one of these schemes is a good way to go generally (or would we be better just to keep the cashback (as outlined above) and book the best deal we can get at the time)?
(b) should we go with the Virgin or BA scheme? Virgin seems better to me but it would be nice to be able to use any spare tickets for european flights - more choice with BA?

Many thanks in advance.

RunningMan_2

PS I should probably add that Birmingham is our nearest Airport but we are happy to fly from Manchester and Heathrow. Gatwick too at a push.

steve1500

How quickly do you want to amass the miles!

Virgin is by far the cheaper option. 42500 miles return in economy.

Tesco conversion rate is currently 2500 for £10 of Clubcard vouchers with Virgin. There is a 30% bonus until the end of March.


Head for points is very good for helping you boost your points.


Similarly you can acquire up to £50 per person per year through topcashback which can be converted into CC points.


Referrals will also boost clubcard points (Tesco Credit card)

HHarry

One of the issues with BA is whether they actually have any flights available to book with your points.
They release a limited selection on each flight - so the fact that cash seats are available doesn't mean that redemption seats are. And I believe that Florida is pretty popular, so the chances of getting one of the few redemption seats is limited.
So you could end up with a bucketful of Avios and still have to pay for your tickets with real money.

Can't comment on the technicalities of the Virgin scheme to know if it's the same.

jackieblack

Availability can be an issue with both Virgin and BA.
Transatlantic economy flights notoriously give poor value for accumulated miles as the largest part of the ticket price is taxes etc which you will still have to pay.
I would save your money/cashback/clubcard points and get the best available flights when they become available. I 5 years time there might be other options available, to tie yourself financially to either BA or Virgin so far in advance would seem foolish to me.
BA/Avios have just announced changes to their scheme (which also changed 3-4 years ago) - who knows what could happen in the next 5 years!?

RunningMan_2

Thanks for your replies folks, really helpful. Re availability I thought we'd be OK if we booked as soon as the flights are available (i.e. a year or so beforehand)?

vanilla8

Also factor in for a possible devaluation of points, and be prepared to keep checking for availability.

Virgin currently have better tax costs for economy, V Flyer forum is a good place to read up on people redeeming with Virgin

davetrousers

jackieblack wrote: »

Availability can be an issue with both Virgin and BA.

This^^^

Also BA Avios points are best really for European Reward flights (zones 1 - 3) and not good for long haul. Unless upgrading from PE to Business (I think)

However BA also fly to Tampa and Miami as well as Orlando, so that may give more options.

If you're looking to go in 5 years my advice would simply be to save up the cash.

peachyprice

RunningMan wrote: »

Thanks for your replies folks, really helpful. Re availability I thought we'd be OK if we booked as soon as the flights are available (i.e. a year or so beforehand)?

Flights are released between 350 - 355 days before, but that doesn't mean flights using points will be available, or that they will be available in all classes. Points flights on popular routes at popular times have restricted availability.

It's a big gamble to tie yourself into collecting points over the next 5 years that you may or may not be able to use.

Dave's advice is the best option TBH.

pollypenny

Don't use BA Avios for a flight to Florida. It will cost you more in taxes!

DS lived there and we have loads of Avios, but it's always cheaper to pay ourselves.

steve1500

Just to add re Virgin, 4 of us going first three weeks in August (2 adults 2 children - well 1 child) to Orlando from Manchester. Booked in October

Flying out economy & coming back premium economy £950 in taxes etc.


Availability is very good from Manchester.


You can check availability on Virgin's website even if you don't have the necessary miles