V-Flyer

Anyone know if it's possible to obtain a reasonably priced one way fare UK-->US?

I just need to get a flight LHR-JFK with VS but no return. Reason being that I'm burning Star Alliance miles for a one way return in J but I still need to get out to New York in the first place.

VS are asking £450 for a one-way (I'm guessing due no Sat night stay). It's actually cheaper to buy a return and no show the return leg (around £289 in Y), but I'd rather buy a one way flight and pay an indicative price if it's possible!

Is there any way at all around this policy?

Any help appreciated!

Basically, you've found the only loophole to the policy - the "dummy return".

The airlines know they can charge full-fare for one-ways, as it's typically business travelers (and therefore not so cost-sensitive) who use them. As a result, you'll never normally find a cheap one-way (excluding LCC's).

Even VS' "one way + tax" fares that they offer from the US are all sold "on a return trip basis". I think they just like generating their own overbooking problem (as all dummy-returns "need" overbooking to make sure the plane goes full).

For £289, it's probably the cheapest one-way ticket you'll find with VS. The lowest published one-way fare to JFK is a "Y2" at £368 + tax.

Hi Paul

Thanks for the speedy reply. It's what I expected to hear but was hoping someone who knows the system a little better might have some masterplan I don't know of!

I actually found a slightly better way since posting - MPM "dummy return" comes out at £245 - I think that's definitely the cheapest "one way" I'm going to find with VS!

Thanks again

Originally posted by catchpm
I actually found a slightly better way since posting - MPM "dummy return" comes out at £245 - I think that's definitely the cheapest "one way" I'm going to find with VS!

Yup, that's definitely a cheaper option. Just be warned, you'll earn no miles in return for even the outbound segment on that fare. If the miles don't worry you, go for it - if you want to get some back for the trip then you'll be better off paying for an X/Q fare.

Actually, for £40 difference, I may as well take the X/Q and earn some miles! Thanks for pointing that out!