US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Weekend E-Saver to London?!?

Just showed up on my Yahoo fare watcher thing ... there's a CLT-LGW fare this weekend for under $300 ... the odd thing is that I could leave Friday night and come back Sunday ... I have never seen that for the lowest available fare on US Airways ...

It's a V-fare (non-upgradeable except with old Systemwides) of course ... total with tax is $369.10 on the non-stop flights ($282 before taxes).

Wow ... $257 R/T (before tax) to Frankfurt ... wonder what else is out there!?!

I'm guessing it must be all European cities from CLT ... FCO for $345 R/T ... wonder about the other hubs?

I'm posting them as I find them ... $213 R/T PHL-LGW!!!!!!!!

This is ridiculous ... $279 R/T PIT-LGW!!!

These all allow a Friday departure, Sunday return ... incredible ...

Looks like it's available from non-hubs too ...

BTV-LGW $265 R/T

It gets more incredible with each new search ...


LAX-LGW ... $273 R/T!!!!

Aack! Still waiting for my new passport to arrive. Dammit, dammit dammit!

I googled and yahooed and came up dry. What is the Yahoo Fare-Watcher?

You can find them directly on the US website, just enter the cities you want and select "Flexible" ...

Yahoo fare watcher is a little module on my My Yahoo page that shows the lowest available fare for five city pairs ...

So--is anyone thinking of a quick trip on Friday?-I might just do it -- Can even get back to DCA by kickoff of Superbowl

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RMINIONE:
So--is anyone thinking of a quick trip on Friday?-I might just do it -- Can even get back to DCA by kickoff of Superbowl</font>

Do bears crap in the woods?

I'm thinking about it ... but not sure yet ... ack ...

let me know-- I'll even fly through CLT instead of PHL

Sounds like fun, but, I doubt my wife would let me go. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

too make this more interseting- Hilton Green Park London (not the best Hilton ) has a 59GBP rate for a single that includes VAT & Breakfast

I want to go ... but I really can't ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I'm tempted ... but I really shouldn't ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

but its 8020 miles in the bank for you, or more!!!

Holy cow ....

On a hunch ... I was wondering if maybe other "international" destinations had something similar ...

There are a bunch of Carribean destination with a similar sale fare available ... the Caribbean prices are as good a deal as the European fares, but they are similarly restricted (i.e., very few) which is interesting ...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
the Caribbean prices are as good a deal as the European fares, but they are similarly restricted (i.e., very few) which is interesting ...</font>

I meant not as good a deal as the European fares. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The Carribean sale is for this weekend or next ... (actually, no reason it has to be the weekend ... just need a Saturday night stay) ... so you could go to Europe this weekend and the Carribean next! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

That has got to be a record. 20 posts, including this one, and 13 of them are from Beckles! heheh

good deals, my wife would kill me though if I said I'm going to Europe, then two days later I'm going to Australia http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Oh man. And I HAVE a pair of the OLD SWU's that expire at the end of this month. Argh...

I'm not impressed. The last two years, fares to London from the East Coast have dropped to $199 RT during the slow winter month. So "e-fares" in the $200-300 range are nothing special, not to mention all the restrictions.

I would expect to see real excursion fares in this range within a couple of weeks, especially after the war begins.

When fares get this ridiculous, you have to start worrying that perhaps they're contemplating Chapter 7. Then you have to wonder what happens if I get to LGW or wherever and they cease operating. One way walk-up fares can be VERY pricey.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Boraxo:
I'm not impressed. The last two years, fares to London from the East Coast have dropped to $199 RT during the slow winter month. So "e-fares" in the $200-300 range are nothing special, not to mention all the restrictions. </font>


As I have said repeatedly, I have never seen fares this low that allow a Friday night departure and Sunday return, allowing for weekend trips without missing work. All the cheap fares and E-fares in the past to international destinations basically excluded Friday and Sunday as travel days (sometimes they included Saturday only), meaning you had to take at least two vacation days to use them.

These fares are highly unrestricted actually as far as booking them, no minimum purchase, Saturday night stay only, and travel on any day of the week (of course they're non-refundable and non-upgradeable), but just looking at restrictions on when you can travel these are incredibly non-restricted which is what makes them so incredible.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AgMedallion:
When fares get this ridiculous, you have to start worrying that perhaps they're contemplating Chapter 7. Then you have to wonder what happens if I get to LGW or wherever and they cease operating. One way walk-up fares can be VERY pricey.</font>

I don't think US is going Chapter 7 in the next week or two ...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
I don't think US is going Chapter 7 in the next week or two ...</font>

You're no doubt right. They would probably be offering low ball fares on a much more widespread basis, both in terms of routes and travel dates. THAT'S when you'd really have to worry. I'm sure there are folks who got stuck in some far flung places when other carriers suddenly ceased operating with no notice and could relate some real horror stories. Maybe carriers like Pan Am or Eastern. You certainly can't rely on other carriers to honor the tickets because they would never collect. These days, with e-tickets, you might not even be able to find an agent to do the necessary paperwork.
As financial matters get worse and worse for carriers like US and UAL, this business about getting stranded somewhere if your carrier craps out totally, should be in the back of air travelers minds.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AgMedallion:
You certainly can't rely on other carriers to honor the tickets because they would never collect. These days, with e-tickets, you might not even be able to find an agent to do the necessary paperwork. </font>

Actually, when Congress passed (post-9/11) the act concerning increased airport security, and the TSA, they did include a provision that other carriers had to honor the tickets (pretty much on a standby basis) in a situation where the carrier stops flying. It's been discussed here before, and there's even a statement from the DOT that makes it clear that all US carriers have to do this, and can charge only a small administrative fee to take care of this. The DOT stated that even e-tickets are sufficient. But if you're concerned that a carrier may leave you stranded, convert the e-ticket to a paper ticket - and it may help having a paper ticket.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AgMedallion:
You're no doubt right. They would probably be offering low ball fares on a much more widespread basis, both in terms of routes and travel dates. THAT'S when you'd really have to worry. ...
</font>

Hmmm.... maybe we should start worrying:

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US Airways Launches End-of-Winter Fare Sale
Thursday January 23, 5:00 am ET


ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- US Airways has introduced new end- of-winter sale fares for getaway domestic, European and Caribbean travel. The sale, which is valid for travel across the US Airways system, offers customers roundtrip ticket prices as low as $68 in some markets.

...

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030123/dcth010_1.html

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

Those sale fares that have been publicly announced and advertised are not the same fares as are available for this weekend only. The fares for this weekend only are less expensive and less restrictive (i.e., days of travel).

Tom, I hope that after stirring up the pot here with this great find that you are headed off somewhere this weekend http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

I tacked a PIT-SFO-PIT on the back of (GLA)-LGW-PHL-PIT. What's your excuse http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif?

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

Looks like it's a published sale now

http://www.usairways.com/promotions/specials/superweb_eur_carib_sale.htm

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:

As I have said repeatedly, I have never seen fares this low that allow a Friday night departure and Sunday return, allowing for weekend trips without missing work. </font>

Hmmm, that leaves you with one full day to enjoy in London (or Paris or wherever) no doubt jet-lagged after your packed overnight flight, and then return to the airport early Sunday for your return. For my money, I think I'd take a cheaper flight to a resort if I couldn't spare the vacation days, unless you're a glutton for punishment in coach (and with these fares I doubt you'll be at the top of the upgrade list).

Try the mileage run forum then. You'll see there are many people who fly to Singapore and back, spend four hours there, and then come back. These fares are so low and the mileage earned can be so high they can be good values just for the miles and tier miles (towards elite status) earned.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Boraxo:
Hmmm, that leaves you with one full day to enjoy in London (or Paris or wherever) no doubt jet-lagged after your packed overnight flight, and then return to the airport early Sunday for your return. For my money, I think I'd take a cheaper flight to a resort if I couldn't spare the vacation days, unless you're a glutton for punishment in coach (and with these fares I doubt you'll be at the top of the upgrade list).

</font>

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

You're new here obviously ...

A one day trip to London, where I'd actually visit one of my best friends from college and my favorite restraunt in the whole world (Belgo) is down-right sensible compared to what you'll read about here that people do for status. I've been to London four times over the past two years on US and I've never stayed more than two days (two one-day trips (i.e., leave Friday come back Sunday) and two two-day trips (i.e., leave Friday come back Monday)), and I've loved every trip ... the status miles, often double or triple, I received were the primary driver in those trips.

Wait until you read what some folks do, i.e. what CluebyFour referred to, SIN runs, folks flying to Singapore and turning right around, often without leaving the airport! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You're new here obviously ...

A one day trip to London, where I'd actually visit one of my best friends from college and my favorite restraunt in the whole world (Belgo) is down-right sensible compared to what you'll read about here that people do for status. I've been to London four times over the past two years on US and I've never stayed more than two days (two one-day trips (i.e., leave Friday come back Sunday) and two two-day trips (i.e., leave Friday come back Monday)), and I've loved every trip ... the status miles, often double or triple, I received were the primary driver in those trips.

Wait until you read what some folks do, i.e. what CluebyFour referred to, SIN runs, folks flying to Singapore and turning right around, often without leaving the airport! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

Oh, I completely agree. I visited a friend in Tokyo for a long weekend, That was a bit rough, but London. Piece of cake from the East coast of the US. And what a great city. Try Veriswammy (not sure of the spelling) if you are interested in checking out a new restaurant. Spectacular Indian food, near Piccadily. I get to London 3-6 times a year. Great place for a "civilized" MR ;-)

Bear in mind that you can get US status miles for SIN runs now http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

Whatever. No doubt 7000 miles for $300 is a good deal, esp. if you value your miles more than your time. But those miles are rapidly depreciating in value on a carrier that may not emerge from Chapter 11. (ditto for partner United)

Mileage runs make sense if you need to add a few to top off the status tank. But you'll need more than a few to make a difference in January, unless you fly a lot in which case you probably don't need to waste a weekend criss-crossing the ocean in a 31" seat.

But suit yourself.