Vegas on the 'cheap'

Hi guys,

I'm currently planning a Sep Vegas trip which I will need to do 'on the cheap' (by that I mean premium economy and only a 4 star hotel ).

I am currently trying to work out a cheapo route to Vegas and have a couple of questions;

1) What are you thoughts on the best routes for value, I usually do LHR -SFO in Upper then VX to Vegas but am thinking maybe LHR-JFK/BOS/Chicago then internal to Vegas. I'm even thinking (god-forbid) of doing Economy outbound then premium back or even worse if I used JFK/BOS then taking the morning flight back and doing economy both ways... (I really can't handle economy on an overnight flight.)

2) Do you guys remember what fares VS and BA were doing in premium to the US for the sale? I seem to remember seeing Premium Econ/WT+ at under 600 to NY?

I'm not massively fussed if I use BA or VS (although I would be pretty much guaranteed an outbound upgrade with BA to club if I used LHR...).

Any thoughts would be great??

Liam,

[Decker]

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Useful link for all! Thanks Decker.

[Decker]

Worth learning about - it has some great features - see http://flyaow.com/classavailability.htm for example. Try also searching flyertalk.

[Scrooge]

For flights,there really isn't that much of a saving going through the east coast airports then getting a connecting flight to Vegas versus a west coast flight then catching one of the numerous shuttles up to here.

The best way I have found is to find a good fare into LAX then catch a southwest flight up to Vegas, that way you only have to deal with the horrible US domestic flight for an hour or so and you don't have to deal with delay prone airports like JFK.

[Decker]

You can earn more miles and points doing the internals

I'd take the longer flight on BA or VS if you can get in PE or Uppser.
internal flights in US may earn you some points or miles, but the domestic airlines here are pretty 'orrid in general. 2 hrs is my max in cattle class here. no food, charge for luggage, no entertainment. they still have an old Tube TV up high in the distant aisle showing ancient family movies for goodness sake.

why add extra flights /changes if you dont have to. time, hassle, stress. if you can fly direct affordably, do.

quote:Originally posted by narikin
they still have an old Tube TV up high in the distant aisle showing ancient family movies for goodness sake.



That sounds downright luxurious! Which premium airline do you fly with?! I went to Vegas a few weeks back with US Air, I can't remember the last time I saw anything resembling any sort of IFE in any of their planes. I'm going back to Vegas next month for the ctia show, probably also with US Air - flights are currently around $300 roundtrip from here on the East coast, which isn't bad.

You MAY save a bit by flying into JFK/EWR/PHL and then on to Vegas rather than into SFO/LAX etc, but as has been pointed out, and as is so true, I'd stay on the international flight as long as possible. Domestic flights to Vegas/West coast from here are just horrible. All you get is a seat which reclines (if you're lucky) 3 degrees, and a can of coke. Unless you fly from JFK with Virgin America, which is much nicer.

In 2008, we did VS LHR - SFO (PE) and VX (First) down to Vegas and vice versa

Loved VX and managed to get first class for $139 each way, which was a steal

Probably the only US carrier I'd relish using again

Rich

HI -

I was living in the US last year (NYC) and made a few trips to Vegas from JFK I'm fortunate enough to be an UC flyer, but flew JetBlue internally to Las Vegas (paying an extra 30USD for extra legroom made it a very comfortable 4.5 hours!) and also Virgin America. Both are fine, very slick operations with great IFE (expecially JetBlue). I fund JetBlue cheaper than Virgin America though. The JFK - LAS is very do-able in Economy in my opinion and experience. Good luck!