I need some suggestions from the wise folks on this board. I'm booked on a cruise this August leaving from Athens and cruising to Istanbul. I haven't booked my air yet, because I was waiting on the United merger. I don't think it's going to happen (at least in time), so I'd better get it in gear and make some rez. Here's the deal: I'm Chairman's Preffered on US, so I want to take them across the pond, using my SWU's. I'm really rather open as to where I fly into or out of. At first I was thinking of going to Rome, spending a couple of nights, then flying over to Athens. Coming back from Istanbul could be to London, or maybe somewhere else.

So here's where I need suggestions: Where is the best place to fly into/out of on US, and what are the best ways to get to Athens and from Istanbul (best Airlines, service, deals, etc.) I'd like to keep the costs down (natch), but I don't want to be stuck on a plane next to a smoking baby, either.

So here's you chance to go wild! Where would you fly to, ending up in Athens and coming from Istanbul???

A decent option might be TPA to FRA on US connecting to a LH flight to Athens. Return from IST can also be made on LH via FRA; then connecting to US for the flights home. A quick check on the US website, choosing 8/1 for the outbound, 8/15 for the return, yields a fare of $1566. I'm sure a bit more prodding could bring the fare down.

One advantage of this routing is that, AFAIK, you can earn Mileage Plus on the Lufthansa flights; so if the merger goes through, they will combine with your US flights.

Just a thought.

RZ

Rome is the furthest (and closest to where you are going), but using your SWU's on that route on short notice could be a problem. In the alternative, Frankfurt would probably work as well. You will need an open jaw, such as FCO-ATH-SURFACE-IST-FCO. Fares within Europe are high. The two legs you need will probably total somewhere between $500 and $900 (might possibly be cheaper out of and back to FRA). Figure Olympic will make you the best deal. This will necessitate a connection at ATH on the way back from Istanbul, but they are normally a lot cheaper than the other European carrriers, and service is comparable to any southern European airline. Also, check the cruise line. They might have some cheap air that connects.

Originally posted by JHark:
So here's you chance to go wild!

Burn some miles. Grab a quick US Express flight to MIA and then use a Swissair 100k First Class Award all the way to Athens and back from Istanbul.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

The Europebyair.com $99 flight passes may also help here. While they don't appear to serve Istanbul, ATH-BRU and ATH-PAR are both possible, as well as ATH-Alexandropoulis and ATH-Mytilene (not sure how far overland, but could be interesting).

Some of the British discount airlines (eg EasyJet) also fly LON-ATH.

Istanbul used to be Constantinople.

If you are using miles for an award, why not redeem it for SWISSAIR FIRST for 100K? I think this is one of the best deals and SWISSAIR will take you as far as Istanbul. Do an open jaw TPA-ATH and return IST-TPA. Actually, you need to change planes in ZRH. So you are looking at a 3 legs trip at least in each direction.

SR is one of the few carriers offering true F class cabin these days. It is a dying breed. Compare that to US 125,000 for a F class award to Europe...US F product is excellent, but I don't think it could surpass SR in my opinion.

[This message has been edited by aw (edited 05-14-2001).]

Swissair is a good choice, but coming from Tampa, that might add an additional connection somewhere.

I did a similar thing last year - PHL-FCO-ATH-MAD-PHL. I used Alitalia to Athens, and then Olympic to Madrid.

Worked out very well. My recommendation for you:
TPA-PHL-FCO on US and then FCO-ATH & IST-FCO on Alitalia

Then, back FCO-PHL-TPA. You get the A330 on the longest route, thereby taking full advantage of all it's offerings.

Alternatively, I agree that flying in and out of FRA, using LH as your European connector is an option, too. From TPA, you could even go to CLT instead of PHL to get to FRA(but it's on the 767....go A330 if you can!)

You guys are great. Fantastic suggestions! I should have mentioned in my post that even though my official address is Tampa (and I spend 2 nights a week there) I live in VA and will be traveling from IAD or DCA. So how is the service on Swiss Air? I'm intrigued by this simple, direct, (and different) option. I guess I could force myself to go to Europe this fall to use up those CP SWU's!

You can take US/Sabena via Brussels and earn miles the whole way and use your SWU's on the PHL-BRU. On one hand it is on a 767, so Envoy really is not all that impressive and on the return Sabena would force you to overnight in Brussels. On the bright side right now the joint fare out of TPA is ~1330 w/tax or $1184 out of DCA.

Originally posted by JHark:
You guys are great. Fantastic suggestions! I should have mentioned in my post that even though my official address is Tampa (and I spend 2 nights a week there) I live in VA and will be traveling from IAD or DCA. So how is the service on Swiss Air? I'm intrigued by this simple, direct, (and different) option. I guess I could force myself to go to Europe this fall to use up those CP SWU's!

Off-topic: I will be on the 7:00p US DCA-TPA twice in the coming months. Perhaps I'll run into you??

Swissair from IAD: only one connection in Zurich each way. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


Their FC product is recognized as one of the best in the industry.