PE to SFO in March - advice on best price

Hello v-flyers!

I've found this forum so very helpful and entertaining over the past year and I was hoping that I could draw on V-flyer's collective wisdom and creativity!

I'm looking to go to San Francisco with my wife. The dates we have free are from 8 March to 16 March. We both have to be back at work on morning of Monday 17 March. We can't fly out any earlier than 7 March, after 9pm. I'm a silver card holder, but with no miles because I've just blown them on two Gs to NYC in May. My wife has no miles either. I do have 27,000 Avios however.

The best price I can get is a return trip with Virgin (VS19 on 8/3, and VS20 on 15/3) is £2346 for two, or the same trip with BA in WT+ for £1846.

I was wondering if anyone can suggest a way to get a better price. I've heard of people on this forum getting great deals out of AMS/BRU or Dublin. We are totally open to that sort of thing! Any help is greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

I can't see much cheaper fares than those I'm afraid, although holidaygenie.com is quoting £1785 for the two of you on BA WT+. Never used them though, so don't know if they add any hidden extra costs.

The AMS trick really only works for business class fares. In lower cabins the saving, if there is one (which in this case there isn't), isn't normally large enough to be worth the extra time, inconvenience and cost.

The BA WT+ option seems the most sensible to me, as you can then upgrade with Avios subject to availability in Club World. With VS, the cheapest PE fares aren't upgradeable.

I'm no expert on Avios, but as far as I can see you could each upgrade to CW return for 12,500 miles plus £190 plus taxes & fees.

Thanks Gumshow, this is very helpful. There isn't any availability to upgrade to CW with BA at the moment, but I suppose it might open up later on. Still would much rather go with VA though!