Cheap Premium Fares – again
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at 22:19 by VintageKrug.
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GrandholmrobboParticipantSorry to repeat earlier posts, but I need reminding how to get good discounts on Premium Economy and Business flights to US.
We are travelling as a family of 4 and I know that there are discounts out there, I would just apreciate your esteemed assistance to point me in the right direction.
Thanks.19 Oct 2009
at 13:50
Hess963ParticipantHave not you tried BT Plan&Book–it is good as you can see the different web travel agents and consolidator agents in one page where you can compare the prices.
If this is not suitable or enough–try other online travel agents like Trailfinders, Netflights, Travelocity, Orbitz etc.. Do not forget to browse to your favourable airline websites as they may have any specials only to be seen there specifically or as a member of their freqeunt flyer programme.
Good Luck !!
19 Oct 2009
at 15:05
GrandholmrobboParticipantThank you.
I have been trawling the normal airline websites etc., no sales on at the moment by the look of it, e-bookers seem good, any experiences with them? Just scared I book via the wrong site as well.19 Oct 2009
at 15:11
AMcWhirterParticipantJohn.
I am sure people will be able to better help you if you let us know when you are travelling, your UK departure point (I assume you are leaving from a UK airport ?) which route(s) you are taking and if you would be happy to take an indirect, rather than a direct flight.19 Oct 2009
at 15:29
GrandholmrobboParticipantThanks again.
We are looking at flying 05th June Aberdeen to Miami, returning 19th June.
Probably Premium Economy, I would reckon Business would just be pushing it a bit for the 4 of us, all adults by the way, was easier when they were younger.
We don’t really mind the routing, just couldn’t face economy, especially on the way home, my wife and I usually travel business, but thought with the 4 of us we could compromise.
We’ve got Flying Blue miles for one business class on AF, but they don’t seem to have their Premium Economy loaded into their system yet, or not available on that route.
I’ve got some Air Miles, but they don’t seem to manage to give us availability in Premium Economy.
Virgin’s website crashes every time I put in Aberdeen for some reason.
I just seem to be hitting a brick wall.19 Oct 2009
at 15:35
AMcWhirterParticipantThanks for the additional info.
Really, it’s too far ahead to be looking at any sort of seat sale.
Airlines tend to finalise pricing nearer departure when they see how well their flights are loading.
In which case, you ought to get a better idea of pricing if you wait until early 2010.
Had you been travelling at Christmas or Easter then, yes, it would have been wise to book well ahead.
According to this news item, AF says it will complete fitting its PE seats by the end of 2010 but no info is yet available as to when this product will be inroduced on the Miami route. Let’s hope it’s available when you make your trip.http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/air-france-unveils-premium-voyageur-seat
19 Oct 2009
at 16:05
GrandholmrobboParticipantThanks again, this is helpful.
I never seem to book at the right time, always scared that the flights I have my eye on are full, it has happened to me quite a lot when I’ve been hoping for a deal.
I’ll see what happens at the beginning of the year, thanks again.19 Oct 2009
at 16:10
VintageKrugParticipantMany airlines, including Virgin and British Airways, have fare sales in the final weeks of December.
If you are looking to fly from ABZ Aberdeen to MIA Miami, via London, the BA can give you are through fare with a guaranteed connection at LHR and no need to change terminals.
You can get a 10% discount off all BA fares, which usually rises to 15% off during December, if you are a BA Shareholder of 200 shares by the first week in November.
However, I would prefer Virgin’s Premium Economy seat over BA’s.
If you want fly Virgin Atlantic longhaul, they do not fly ABZ to LON so your best bet is to get prices using http://www.virginatlantic.com from LON-MIA (or do they fly exLGW Gatwick?) and price the domestic sector separately. NOTE however that buying the two sectors separately likely means you will have to lug your bags and re-clear security at Heathrow and you ARE NOT protected onto the longhaul flight should something happen on the shorthaul sector outbound.
I would suggest, given your caution over booking, that you would be better off calling one of the travel agents which advertise in the back of Business Traveller (Americana are pretty good). You might find less expensive fares flying into TPA Tampa or MCO Orlando.
19 Oct 2009
at 16:24
Hess963ParticipantHi John !!
I have two quotes for you under the above give infos–no guarantees !!
Netflights.com: ABZ-via LHR-MIA with BA in WTP 05.06.10/19.06.10
Price for each adult: 995,-GBP incl Taxes and Surcharges
Virgin Atlantic Site: same routings and date only domestic part will be with BMI in Y class and internat. portion in Prem Y class
Price for each adult: 1138,90 GBP incl Taxes and Surcharges
Hope it will help you and good luck !!
Hess
19 Oct 2009
at 16:31
GrandholmrobboParticipantHess, thank you so much for taking the trouble to do this, much appreciated.
As I said, I came across brick walls every time I tried to do this, maybe it’s me, but I expected this to be easier, I suppose domestic connections do complicate things sometimes.
So, is the concensus that Virgin Premium Economy is best?19 Oct 2009
at 16:34
Hess963ParticipantWell John–honestly !!
Comparing BA and VS here in these routes as lack of other potential good Prem Y like Air New Zealand etc.. I would say they are both fairly good. Regarding my Prem Y experiences with BA and VS–they actually do not differ that much. Perhaps that in two flights with BA the F/A are more attentive and helpful to my needs. But as I have said before–they are pretty in the same level actually.
19 Oct 2009
at 17:01
AMcWhirterParticipantHello Hess.
These Netflights rates appear attractive but are actually based on normal PE excursion prices.
Last April (for outbound travel from LHR between April 14 and June 23) VS had seat sale rates in PE of £659 return.
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/specialoffers/pefivedayseatsale.jsp
Of course, this deal expired long ago but it gives travellers an idea of what a proper PE seat sale rate will be.
20 Oct 2009
at 09:42
Hess963ParticipantThat is right. It really depends on luck to find the best available price for your trip. It is often too labour intensive to search every possible sales and best prices. Sometimes airlines come with promotions which you would not expect. You have to have the endurance to find those good things for you–and that is why it is great, if frequent users of BT like us share experiences and help each other–it would be easier and you learn to appreciate other common users and mates, instead of sniding and insulting each other and competing who will be the best blusterer of all.
20 Oct 2009
at 20:04
PaulJenningsParticipantI have found Trailfinders to be both knowledgeable and helpful. I almost always fly in business class and often on discounted tickets (I fall into the cheap but demanding category). If you want to get an idea of prices on a particular route you can check with ITA at http://matrix.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch/login – thanks to Vintage Krug for bringing this site to our attention.
20 Oct 2009
at 21:23 -
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