Cheapo flights to the states

[Paddy]

OK, moving soon, and as all of the houses have been sold, including the holiday home, we're thinking of having a last minute jaunt over to the west coast if America for the whole family before we move house. I can't seem to find flights under £800. Last time I went to the states, in 2008, twas £300 to Miami, so I am wondering if anyone has some websites/travel agents, whom they would recommend to get cheap flights. For there are 5 of us, and as we'll be hiring an RV, dem costs mounts up.

Cheers

Isn’t there free flights when you by a vacuum cleaner?

[TheFaQQer]

For the vague dates I've just put into Skyscanner, the cheapest route was Manchester to LAX. Then LHR-LAX, then AMS-LAX, then CDG-LAX

Haven't tried SFO or anywhere else on the west coast, it's a big place.

[IRMe]

Interestingly, looking at KLM, shows £1600 to LAX from LON via AMS, but only €1100 to LAX from Amsterdam direct to Los Angeles, a saving of about €700 pp. NYC £881 Lon-Ams-NYC, showing €1000 AMS-NYC, so about the same. Strange.

If you don't mind an extra stop then do look at starting the long haul bit from AMS, CDG, DUB, or similar European hubs as you will pay a lot less in APD. Then its a simple cheap ticket over there. Also if you're not London based it can be easier to hit AMS et al from your local airport.

It is partly the APD that does it, that and they price per country to attract business. Example of that is that it is nearly always cheaper to book BA from Dublin->London->USA than it is to do same flights\seats just London->USA.

[MarillionFan]

For the vague dates I've just put into Skyscanner, the cheapest route was Manchester to LAX. Then LHR-LAX, then AMS-LAX, then CDG-LAX

Haven't tried SFO or anywhere else on the west coast, it's a big place.

Don't bother. Prices have gone stupid. One main reason is air passenger duty that increased significantly. That alone is an extra £240 for a family of 4 on a long haul flight.

I haven't seen a return at less than £700 to the US for ages. Even my flight for next month in Premium Economy was £2800 direct to SFO. You will get a better deal if you tie the flights with accomodation or car hire (it reduces the costs to bundle) but frankly flights to the US are a joke at the moment.

Do you have any Avios you can use or Tesco vouchers that you can convert into vouchers or money off?

[Old Hack]

Don't bother. Prices have gone stupid. One main reason is air passenger duty that increased significantly. That alone is an extra £240 for a family of 4 on a long haul flight.

I haven't seen a return at less than £700 to the US for ages. Even my flight for next month in Premium Economy was £2800 direct to SFO. You will get a better deal if you tie the flights with accomodation or car hire (it reduces the costs to bundle) but frankly flights to the US are a joke at the moment.

Do you have any Avios you can use or Tesco vouchers that you can convert into vouchers or money off?

About 20k avios, not too sure about tesco, will chase wife.