VS43 & VS44

Hi all,

Classic introduction - long time lurker and reader of the forums but have only just registered!

I'm not a business traveller, nor do I have oodles of cash for regular UC flying, however I am trying to do my best to get myself and MrsD on an UC trip to Vegas. Vegas is a regular destination for us, 2 out of 3 years as I have family there and we enjoy the many places you can go from Vegas.

I've signed up for the CC, converted my tesco clubcard points to FC miles and so on and so forth. Hoping that next year, we might have enough miles each for that coveted UC flight. In the meantime, I have found out through this forum about ex-DUB flights - which might work out for us too. (What does the "ex-" stand for by the way?)

In the meantime, MrsD is jetting off (VS3 & VS4) to New York in November with some friends for a spot of shopping in Y (ok, I'm picking up the lingo now...), although I suspect her ticket isn't in Y bucket and I took the opportunity to purchase the miles booster - good idea or not?

So, I decided that since I'd be sat twiddling my thumbs (well actually I could be at work but...), I might try a cheeky trip to see the family in Vegas.

I'm looking at flying out either Wed 4th or Thu 5th, returning sometime between Sun 8th and Wed 11th November. I'm not used to paying the current price of over £700 for economy and hoping that something pops up in the sale I've heard about, possibly starting next week.

Anybody have any tips for this young whippersnapper for finding the best deal?

As a lone traveller - am I more or less likely to stumble upon an opportunity at checking or the gate, to pay for an upgrade? We did this once, back in 2009 I think, paying $400 each at the gate to upgrade to PE.

Thanks - and thanks for listening - I promise to try and not make all posts so long!

Welcome to V-Flyer.
Ex- means to fly from eg: ex-ams= from Amsterdam.
Miles booster is a good way of earning a few more miles, as a solo traveler it is worth asking at check in if there are any upgrades. It can't hurt to ask but be prepared for anything from supprise to shock at the cost.

As to finding the best deal if you see a price you are happy with book it and never look back.
Have a look on Expedia at flights from Dublin/Amsterdam/Brussles/Paris and enter virgin Atlantic in preferred airline you may save a few ££ even in economy.

[buns]

Hi and welcome to V Flyer

You will know from reading V Flyer, that the availability of UC seats at a cheap price (or indeed using miles) is always at a premium with there only being 14 available to start with.

With more and more people opting to use the ex-UK (whether the journey starts in Amsterdam, Brussels etc.etc.) those seats being available through Miles will become even harder to find.

I am told that departures from Gatwick on a Wednesday and a Thursday are particularly busy with stag and hen parties and the same goes for coming back on a Sunday, so it might be helpful to avoid those days.

As the route is popular, as is Orlando, any pop up sales will often exclude those destinations.

Good luck with the searching those ex-UK itineraries

buns

Thanks for the replies.

I carried on searching and in the end, took the advice from CHill710, found a price I could cope with and booked it!

I found DUB -> LGW -> LAS -> LGW -> DUB in PE for £757 (compared to ~£1150 on VS website direct from LGW) and then being in Nottingham, flights from EMA to DUB and back for 15EUR each way.

Only the transatlantic portion is PE, the rest economy, but I'm happy with that. I'll be carrying hand luggage only as well which just makes life easier.

Happy Days !