Thanks pauldb (and all other contributors), I did have a look at the guide, and it is, indeed, superb ^. I was getting rather distressed when searching for the prices, when it jumped overnight from about EUR 2600, to EUR 6000. It would appear from other threads, that this might be the shape of things to come.

I am, however, rather ashamed to say that I have elected to fly with Virgin Atlantic - for two reasons, we are travelling on business (alas in economy), and I will be going with 4 other colleagues. I have managed to return on a different date, and having a VS Mastercard (which is very generous, and accepted in the places that my BA AMEX isn't), have used some aged miles for an upgrade on the way back.

When flying with one colleague, it's easy to persuade them to fly a different carrier, but it's harder when there's four, and your boss is one of them, and for some reason he hates BA & loves Virgin... Ah well, at least my upgrade on the flight back is confirmed, and a hell of a lot easier to obtain (100% easier) than BA reward flights - and I get the suite. At least I'll be able to do a proper comparison then, I'll have to get into first next to see what the difference really is! I can also save my BA miles for an Amex mileage award later on in 2005.

@:-) On the subject of agents though, I rang Airline Network (which I have found to be both accurate and cheap) and they could only offer me a flight on BA or Virgin in Upper Class for c£2600-2800, but if they included the hotel, they could do me an airport hotel for £2050 inclusive , and the Rennaissance Hollywood for £2500 inclusive - the BA and Virgin Holidays are obviously very good value for money. The hotel I am booked into is $179 a night for 6 nights which works out at about £660 for the whole period including taxes. This is obviously a good way of saving £600 on either the ticket or hotel bill! I was tempted...