West Coast reward flights and extortionate PE fares

Looking to book flights to LAX or SFO for April for 4 of us.

Reward flights seem non existent for months either side of this date.
Also cheapest PE fare is £3400 pp!! :0 This earns 7 tier points so assume it's not a standard PE fare.

Does this mean the flight is full in PE?

Advice appreciated - dates are 5th out and 18/19 back.

[Neil]

Sounds like a full W fare, which would indicate PE is very full.
It is quite close to the flight dates, and close to the major Easter holiday season so no surprises that reward availability has gone and the flights are busy.

It could be that as you are looking for 4 seats there might 1,2 or 3 available in a lower and cheaper fare code but when you search for 4 the system automatically gives you the chalets fare code that has at least 4 seats available in it. If that us the case you might be able to get some of the seats cheaper.

An another option could be to fly economy and pay for extra legroom or exit row seats.

According to Flightstats:

The VS7 on the 5th is completely sold out in PE. The VS23 still has availability but only in the pricier S & W buckets. The VS19 to SFO only has availability in the dearest W bucket.

Coming back it's a similar story. PE either sold out or only the dearest W fares available on all flights on both dates.

And economy's the same. As Neil says, the problem is you're travelling around Easter - one of the busiest times of the year.

You could try the 'Amsterdam trick' if you don't mind the extra hassle of getting to Amsterdam and back to LHR to catch your VS flight - that's coming in at £2121 in Upper Class! (Plus the flight to AMS)

I thought as much - probably try NY and get Delta to SFO
Thanks for the advice

Don't forget VX

According to Flightstats:

The VS7 on the 5th is completely sold out in PE. The VS23 still has availability but only in the pricier S & W buckets. The VS19 to SFO only has availability in the dearest W bucket.

Coming back it's a similar story. PE either sold out or only the dearest W fares available on all flights on both dates.

And economy's the same. As Neil says, the problem is you're travelling around Easter - one of the busiest times of the year.

You could try the 'Amsterdam trick' if you don't mind the extra hassle of getting to Amsterdam and back to LHR to catch your VS flight - that's coming in at £2121 in Upper Class! (Plus the flight to AMS)




How does the Amsterdam trick work in terms of the last leg. Just looked at Ams - Lax and return of Las - Ams. However it stops at Manchester, which would be my original direct flight from Vegas how do you get your luggage back, as I wouldn't want to travel onto Amsterdam and how does the process work ?

[honey lamb]

How does the Amsterdam trick work in terms of the last leg. Just looked at Ams - Lax and return of Las - Ams. However it stops at Manchester, which would be my original direct flight from Vegas how do you get your luggage back, as I wouldn't want to travel onto Amsterdam and how does the process work ?

You simply ask them at check-in to tag your bag to your UK destination and, if asked say you want to re-check it yourself to AMS. On arrival you collect your bag and don't show for the final leg.

Done it several times