Reasonably priced one way fares?

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!

[preiffer]

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

[preiffer]

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!