Cheapo flights to the states

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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]

Eurostar to Paris and then a flight from CDG?

Schipol probably has more connections though.

[eek]

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Apply the above to airline fares. Remembering that there are 1,000s of people trying to work out how to get the cheapest fare daily.

[Old Hack]

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.

[TheFaQQer]

Skyscanner - Compare Cheap Flights, Hotels & Car Hire

That's what we've always used for looking at routes, but they tend to be no cheaper than just doing it via Expedia or similar.

[tranceporter]

These guys seem to be showing £500 flights for phone only? Not sure if they are real but they are 020 numbers, so give them a try.

Or these:

Flightcatchers - Contact Details

Don't hang up when you hear a bob on the other side..

[KaiserWilly]

Skyscanner - Compare Cheap Flights, Hotels & Car Hire

[eek]

3/4th August until 1st September. Hoping for West Coast flights. I have managed to find one to Oakland for around £800, but still.

You have left it rather late. The best time is between 3months - 14 days before departure

see When is the Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets? - AOL Travel Ideas

[Old Hack]

3/4th August until 1st September. Hoping for West Coast flights. I have managed to find one to Oakland for around £800, but still.

[tranceporter]

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

airline
US Airways.
Economy
London Heathrow, London, UK (LHR) Tue 13 Aug 2013 12:15Miami Intl , Miami Florida, USA (MIA) Tue 13 Aug 2013 20:24
1-Stop
13h 09m
Leg 1 of 2London Heathrow, London, UK (LHR) to Philadelphia Intl , Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA (PHL) US Airways. 729 operated by US Airways. Economy , Airbus A330 Depart 12:15 Arrive15:30
Stopover Leg 2 of 2Philadelphia Intl , Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA (PHL) to Miami Intl , Miami Florida, USA (MIA) US Airways. 719 operated by US Economy , Airbus A320 Depart 17:35 Arrive20:24
£759.15per adult
Book Now
£759.15(Total)

here

I assumed 13th Aug as travel date, but if its earlier it might be more expensive. Too few details to go on..

[Old Hack]

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