V-Flyer

What is the best way to go about booking one way TA fares for taking a TA cruise?

We would be looking at sailing from Barcalona to Florida(2010, so looking at flight options before booking cruise). I see that we could fly BA to Barcelona and back from Orlando(though VS is better for us for that return leg to MAN) Do you think this routing would be classed as a return fare as one way fares are high?

Yes you can fly out to one destination and return from another on a return fare, we got back yesterday doing just this:

Outbound: LHR -> SFO
Return: MCO -> MAN

If you are taking a cruise, is there the option of booking the outbound flight as part of the package to bring the cost down to something reasonable?

Mat

I would imagine that it would be VERY expensive (i.e. not classed as a true return), but the only way to find out is to try a dummy booking (for a sooner date - just to get a 'ballpark' figure...).

Suggestions of how to get it cheaper:
- buy the airfare through the cruiseline or a package through a travel agent. I don't normally like this: you have less control and I don't trust other people to book travel for me... (I am a control freak...). BUT, price-wise, it could be a good option. Some cruislines give you more control over what airline/route/day/times are booked than others.
- If you have enough airmiles, some airlines (i.e. BMI) will allow you to book 'one way' awards. Since you have quite a bit of time to plan and accrue airmiles between now and your cruise, this may be an option. If you have a look (and ask questions) at http://flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay ... e=10&f=486 you may find it is quite simple to do this (if you apply for BMI credit cards and get the sign-up bonus). You could probably also fly in Business Class. Be warned, though, in the present economic situation, there is a bit of 'economic instability' within the airlines (whether that would affect a miles booking a lot more than a cash booking, I don't know). Obviously your chosen route would mean some connections with BMI... but sometimes it is worth it (I have flown DEN-FRA-LHR to get a BMI Business Class award routing).
- ALthough not strictly 'encouraged' (ahem!), it is possible to book a return (much cheaper than a one way) and 'throw away' (just not use) the return portion. So you would probably book MAN-Barcelona-MAN (not use the return portion) on BA/Iberia maybe, then also book MCO-MAN-MCO (and not use the return portion) on VS. You will probably find that MCO-MAN-MCO is cheaper than MAN-MCO-MAN too! You have to make sure that you always use the outbound portion of the ticket (and only throw away the return): if you don't use the outbound portion, then your return will automatically be cancelled.

There are a few ideas to be getting on with, anyway [:)]

Boo

Fozzyo, don't the median points of the open-jaw have to be in the same zone (like the US) or something?

The OP is talking about MAN-BCN, ORD-MAN

I think the only way to find out for sure is to do a dummy booking to find out what sort of price it will be ticketed at...

Boo

Originally posted by fozzyo
Yes you can fly out to one destination and return from another on a return fare, we got back yesterday doing just this:

Outbound: LHR -> SFO
Return: MCO -> MAN

If you are taking a cruise, is there the option of booking the outbound flight as part of the package to bring the cost down to something reasonable?

Mat

I tried a dummy booking on BA and it went as far as selecting the times on both the LGW - Barcelona, and MCO to LGW, then when i clicked, the message came up that the flights couldn't be booked at this time. I'm presuming it isn't possible to do, even though it seems simple to us.

Originally posted by Boo Boo
I would imagine that it would be VERY expensive (i.e. not classed as a true return), but the only way to find out is to try a dummy booking (for a sooner date - just to get a 'ballpark' figure...).

Suggestions of how to get it cheaper:
- buy the airfare through the cruiseline or a package through a travel agent. I don't normally like this: you have less control and I don't trust other people to book travel for me... (I am a control freak...). BUT, price-wise, it could be a good option. Some cruislines give you more control over what airline/route/day/times are booked than others.
- If you have enough airmiles, some airlines (i.e. BMI) will allow you to book 'one way' awards. Since you have quite a bit of time to plan and accrue airmiles between now and your cruise, this may be an option. If you have a look (and ask questions) at http://flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay ... e=10&f=486 you may find it is quite simple to do this (if you apply for BMI credit cards and get the sign-up bonus). You could probably also fly in Business Class. Be warned, though, in the present economic situation, there is a bit of 'economic instability' within the airlines (whether that would affect a miles booking a lot more than a cash booking, I don't know). Obviously your chosen route would mean some connections with BMI... but sometimes it is worth it (I have flown DEN-FRA-LHR to get a BMI Business Class award routing).
- ALthough not strictly 'encouraged' (ahem!), it is possible to book a return (much cheaper than a one way) and 'throw away' (just not use) the return portion. So you would probably book MAN-Barcelona-MAN (not use the return portion) on BA/Iberia maybe, then also book MCO-MAN-MCO (and not use the return portion) on VS. You will probably find that MCO-MAN-MCO is cheaper than MAN-MCO-MAN too! You have to make sure that you always use the outbound portion of the ticket (and only throw away the return): if you don't use the outbound portion, then your return will automatically be cancelled.

There are a few ideas to be getting on with, anyway [:)]

Boo

I had read that buying a return and not using a portion was really a nono, so had discounted that - shame!

We have about 60,000 Virgin FC miles each but that doesn't appear to help either.

How wide a gap can you book a return flight for? I mean, how long do you have to use the return portion up? Is it 90 days with a visitor visa? Sorry if that isn't coming accross well.

There is nothing to stop you using only the outbound leg of a return ticket. You cannot use just the return though as if you don't show on the outbound, the return is automatically cancelled.

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
There is nothing to stop you using only the outbound leg of a return ticket. You cannot use just the return though as if you don't show on the outbound, the return is automatically cancelled.

This would be the best way of course.[:D]

Have you looked at the possibility of a one way reward flight from MCO-MAN? Reward seats on the MCO routes are thin on the ground but you may have luck, try a dummy booking. One way rewards are not an issue to book and would be far cheaper than a one way revenue fare as these are booked in flexible fare buckets.

For the Barcelona flight, I'd probably look to buy a return and not use the return portion to cut the cost.

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by HighFlyer
Have you looked at the possibility of a one way reward flight from MCO-MAN? Reward seats on the MCO routes are thin on the ground but you may have luck, try a dummy booking. One way rewards are not an issue to book and would be far cheaper than a one way revenue fare as these are booked in flexible fare buckets.

For the Barcelona flight, I'd probably look to buy a return and not use the return portion to cut the cost.

Thanks,
Sarah

That is an idea. WE are fairly flexible with the return date from MCO, so it might work.

You can get cheap us - uk oneways if you route via DUB/SNN ie MCO-DUB-MAN as irish fares are based on one way sectors.

You may have to buy each sector separately though. Getting a cheap oneway to BCN shouldn't be a problem. BA is quite competetive against the lowcosts these days on short haul.

Forgot to ask - who is the cruise through? Have you got a bargain? Quite often the Transatlantic cruises are really deep discounted if you book close to departure...

Originally posted by barnstaple
You can get cheap us - uk oneways if you route via DUB/SNN ie MCO-DUB-MAN as irish fares are based on one way sectors.

You may have to buy each sector separately though. Getting a cheap oneway to BCN shouldn't be a problem. BA is quite competetive against the lowcosts these days on short haul.

Ah, I hadn't thought of Dublin, thanks.

Originally posted by maz

I had read that buying a return and not using a portion was really a nono, so had discounted that - shame!

As others have said, it isn't a nono... providing you are discreet and use the outbound portion.

Originally posted by maz
We have about 60,000 Virgin FC miles each but that doesn't appear to help either.

If you follow my suggestion and look into BMI miles (like I suggested above), you can have a one-way business class flight for VERY little money... (basically just applying for a credit card, spending £250 on it and paying the taxes for your flight...)

Originally posted by maz
How wide a gap can you book a return flight for? I mean, how long do you have to use the return portion up? Is it 90 days with a visitor visa? Sorry if that isn't coming accross well.

I don't understand this at all...?

Boo

Originally posted by maz
[br
How wide a gap can you book a return flight for? I mean, how long do you have to use the return portion up? Is it 90 days with a visitor visa? Sorry if that isn't coming accross well.

you only have the date of travel. AFAIK there is no open returns. Your visa waiver has a 90 day period (breach it, say bye bye to the US for good). Therefore you must return on your allocated flight. Having said that, you miss it, they will try to get you on the next flight.

Originally posted by maz

Originally posted by barnstaple
You can get cheap us - uk oneways if you route via DUB/SNN ie MCO-DUB-MAN as irish fares are based on one way sectors.

You may have to buy each sector separately though. Getting a cheap oneway to BCN shouldn't be a problem. BA is quite competetive against the lowcosts these days on short haul.

Ah, I hadn't thought of Dublin, thanks.

Remember Aer Lingus only flies to/from MCO three days a week - currently Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and only to/from Dublin and not Shannon

Originally posted by Boo Boo

Originally posted by maz

I had read that buying a return and not using a portion was really a nono, so had discounted that - shame!

As others have said, it isn't a nono... providing you are discreet and use the outbound portion.

Originally posted by maz
We have about 60,000 Virgin FC miles each but that doesn't appear to help either.

If you follow my suggestion and look into BMI miles (like I suggested above), you can have a one-way business class flight for VERY little money... (basically just applying for a credit card, spending £250 on it and paying the taxes for your flight...)

Originally posted by maz
How wide a gap can you book a return flight for? I mean, how long do you have to use the return portion up? Is it 90 days with a visitor visa? Sorry if that isn't coming accross well.

I don't understand this at all...?

Boo

I'm looking at the BMI award option now thank you. I haben't even got used to VS FC yet though!![:I]

I couldn't think of the correct terms for the paragraph you don't understand, but the next poster answered me. Thank you for your help.[:)]

I have often looked at doing the same thing, cruise one way and fly to/from but the cost of the one way has put me off. What Wheeler said about Visa waiver has concerned me, is this fact or hype please, surely if the green stub is collected by either the returning airline or ship it is possible to mix modes of travel? I found a green stub still clipped to my old Passport three years after travelling back once where the airline (Virgin actually) did not collect it.

Originally posted by LIMETREE
I have often looked at doing the same thing, cruise one way and fly to/from but the cost of the one way has put me off.

It shouldn't do - there are ways around it (see suggestiosn above) - and, failing everythign else, the cruiseline itself will offer reasonable 'packages' (otherwise they would rarely ever sell transatlantics...).

Originally posted by LIMETREE
What Wheeler said about Visa waiver has concerned me, is this fact or hype please, surely if the green stub is collected by either the returning airline or ship it is possible to mix modes of travel?

It WILL be collected when you leave the US (by plane or ship) that is why I am completely confused about what has been said about the Visa Waiver Green cards on this thread. Providing you leave the US - and have your card collected - within 90 day, no problem...

Originally posted by LIMETREE
I found a green stub still clipped to my old Passport three years after travelling back once where the airline (Virgin actually) did not collect it.

It happens sometimes - these days they are generally better. If it isn't collected, then it is normally advisable to send it to an address on the US embassy website. If you have been backwards and forewards to the US since (without a problem), then it isn't a worry...

Boo