Flight Advice

Hey guys,

Was looking to fly from MAN to LAX via LHR with Virgin Atlantic around at August 25th to September 8th in Economy and have noticed the prices have suddenly risen by about £70, should I wait and see if they fall a bit closer to the time(Was going to do it 2 months before I go) or would you advise that I book the tickets a lot more in advance?

Thanks.

Hi Nickthen

Welcome to V-Flyer

Learned Gurus on this site will no doubt give you their valuable opinions.

I look at your dilemma this way:

If the price is right on the dates you want in the cabin you want then book & don't check back!!

A useful tip if you are booking more than one ticket is to do a dummy booking for one ticket. This should give you the lowest priced ticket available but with the greatest restrictions. But there may only be one ticket available on this fare code.

If you book two or more tickets then the system will give you the two cheapest tickets available but, they may in in a higher priced fare code category than the single ticket dummy booking you have just made.

It may also be advisable to look at sites such as Expedia or Lastminute because they may have lower priced fares available.

Another tip is to then try a dummy booking through these sites but then add in the first night in a cheap hotel on LAX because sometimes the cost comes out cheaper than just booking a flight. You don't have to stay at the hotel do you y)

Hope this helps.

Happy researching.

Do let is know how you get on.

Roxy-Popsy

Hi Roxy.

That's some pretty good advice, not seen that anywhere else on the net!

The price was right but for some reason the price has gone up on all Little red services(MAN-LHR) around the dates I was looking to go which is the main hassle. Maybe if I made my way down to London to fly out directly as that price is still good.

I'm only booking for myself so as I plan to go there to visit my girlfriend, long distance relationships is difficult for my money

As much as I'd like to go use a booking site I wish to go directly with Virgin Atlantic mostly because of the fact I want to use the flying club, my company has given us all Silver Membership so it would be very useful for future trips to build up some miles!

I think I might wait it out for now, do you think the prices will rise more?

-Nick

Third party booking sites still allow you to earn miles for your booking. They would either allow you to enter your VS FC number at the time of booking which they would then pass along to Virgin, and/or give you a VS PNR which you could then use on the VS website to add your FC details.

However, from my experience, this can add a bit of headache should you wish to change anything about it, as sometimes VS will refer you to the 3rd party agency first.

As far as prices go, aren't those dates right about when both US and UK schools start back? If so, and the prices are anywhere acceptable to you, I would book now. Seems like it could be a busy period.

Good luck, I've been in a trans-atlantic LDR for 4+ years now and it can work!

I'd prefer not to book with third party sites anyway as it just tends to be a hassle if I wanted something changed.

From looking at fare codes, if I wanted to take a flight from MAN-LHR then LHR-LAX on one booking it all uses fare code X, if I look at flying directly from LHR-LAX it goes to fare code O which is a lot cheaper, I could then make my own way down to London by coach or train.
As you said prices are likely going to rise, should I try booking asap with that route in case it becomes too expensive? Or should I wait for a sale/book with a different airline?

As for LDR, I know it'll work it's just a bit of a pain having to pay so much and only seeing each other in person occasionally.

Thanks a bunch,
-Nick

Edit:Got confused and double posted, fixed it now.

I would go with what's comfortable within your budget. From my experience, I don't see sales around the end of summer all that often as many people are already traveling at that time. The sales you do see (such as the recent ones) specifically blackout high traffic periods like Easter or half term.

Another option could be to try a little red flight the day before and stay near heathrow one night. Perhaps the sometimes ~£50 a night might offset the more expensive same day connection.

Of course you can always book with a different carrier, or check DL, at least you'd get VS miles/TPs.

I think I'll just book asap with the best offer(as soon as I get confirmation to take leave from my boss), probably going to be a coach down to London.

Thanks a lot for all your help!

I think I'll just book asap with the best offer(as soon as I get confirmation to take leave from my boss), probably going to be a coach down to London.

Thanks a lot for all your help!

Trips on virgin trains services also earn VS miles if you are looking to earn a few more.

I would book as soon as possible as others have said sales at busy times are rare.

Just to add to what's been said, I think O is a sale fare, so if you're getting Os that's a sale for you