US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Why the October blackout?

Trying to use miles to fly PHL-FCO Oct 6-15. The entire week is blacked out except for First seats (I'm just a guy with no Status). Why this week in particular when the surrounding weeks are wide open? I'm doing a Backroads bike trip that starts Oct 9 and I really can't switch the dates.
A related issue/question: I might have to pay cash for the seat. I'm getting quotes around $900!!! :td: Does anyone think this will come down? If not I might reconsider the whole trip. :D

Trying to use miles to fly PHL-FCO Oct 6-15. The entire week is blacked out except for First seats (I'm just a guy with no Status). Why this week in particular when the surrounding weeks are wide open? I'm doing a Backroads bike trip that starts Oct 9 and I really can't switch the dates.
A related issue/question: I might have to pay cash for the seat. I'm getting quotes around $900!!! :td: Does anyone think this will come down? If not I might reconsider the whole trip. :D

It should come down. You can wait or book now and get a voucher when it comes down. Look at the seat maps and try to get an idea of load factors for the flights in question. Maybe something special is going on that week. Also look into whether you have a decent fare both ways or only one leg is high. Maybe moving that leg a day will help get you into a decent roach fare (usually V or W on Europe).

Figure I'd call and ask. Clueless Rep: "They just pick random days".

:rolleyes:

-JC

I'd fly into any other European airport and get to Rome some other way before I'd pay $900 for a flight directly to Rome. Of course that would be easier if you aren't traveling with your bike...

Thanks everyone. I also called and got a rep who was just as surprised as I was. It's hard to imagine they blacked out the week for Rosh Hashanah and the start of Ramadan. Fortunately we don't have to bring our bikes -- Backroads supplies them-- so flying directly to somewhere else and then getting to Rome is an option.

If you fly into LGW, you can take an EasyJet flight from there to CIA (Rome Ciampino) for 41 pounds sterling R/T on your dates. The departure/arrival times aren't great, but you'll save a lot of money. :)