[QUOTE=mrtdxb;13935184]
Originally Posted by
ung1
For a lower fare on LHR-DXB, book onwards to the Sub Continent or somewhere else. Fares to DXB are always higher, and you should get a better deal that way.
Hello ung1 - are you suggesting that the flights to and from Dubai after traveling from LHR should be booked but not taken to secure a lower fare cost for a RT to Dubai? If so it was my belief (perhaps now outdated) that if you fail to show up for a flight that the rest of the itinerary is automatically cancelled by the airline and thus the return leg from DXB to LHR would be lost.
Yes, what you say is correct. They would either cancel it, or re-price the ticket.
What I was actually suggesting is that the OP do a quick trip to the sub-continent (like a mileage run). He could even do a turn around if he is short on time, or just stay for a day and head back.
EDITED TO ADD: Looking at flights, this would not really work, as the flights to sub continent cost the same as flights to DXB (unless you are doing it for extra miles). Your travel dates are peak period, and that's why the tickets are pricing up so high (The fare is half if you travel this week, for example). So, first see if it would be possible to change dates.
The other option is, if you can decide when you want to go on vacation next year, book a ticket to CPT for example. That would cost you around GBP 900. Use the LHR-DXB leg in July, and leave the rest for next year. Try finding a cheap sub continent - LHR return to go back in December, and use it to come to DXB to catch your flight to CPT. You could even waste the last DXB-subcontinent leg of the flight. This is, of course, a lot more complicated, and would require that you are pretty sure of travel dates and they are within 12 months. I'm not sure how much cheaper it would work out at the end of it - that's something you'll have to see after pricing up the various options.