Help finding [economical] destination [for SWU use]
Jan 29, 2013, 7:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Dallas, TX US
Programs: AA EXP, 3MM, CO Gold, Delta Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, PC Gold, HZ Pres Cir
Posts: 123
Help finding [economical] destination [for SWU use]
I have a specific problem every year at this time. I find I have 4 evips unused, so we always try to take a 5-6 day trip over a weekend to use them. The problem is, we never know where to go, as we can go anywhere.
So does anyone know an easy way to find a good value fare where the origination point is known (DFW), dates are known, carrier (american) is known, but the destination is limitless? Searching for every city I can think of to find a value fare is so difficult. They used to have a search where the end point could be "beach destinations" etc, but that seems to have disappeared.
So what I mean by value fare, is a coach class international ticket in the sub 1k range, but is enough miles to be worth using a VIP. So its kind of like finding a mileage run, but without all the hops, and we'd actually be staying somewhere.
TIA
So does anyone know an easy way to find a good value fare where the origination point is known (DFW), dates are known, carrier (american) is known, but the destination is limitless? Searching for every city I can think of to find a value fare is so difficult. They used to have a search where the end point could be "beach destinations" etc, but that seems to have disappeared.
So what I mean by value fare, is a coach class international ticket in the sub 1k range, but is enough miles to be worth using a VIP. So its kind of like finding a mileage run, but without all the hops, and we'd actually be staying somewhere.
TIA
Jan 29, 2013, 7:38 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Yup. I would search AA.com, or a similar site, for places you want to go and find one that meets your criteria. Of course, you'll want to look at ExpertFlyer to see if the upgrade inventory (C), is available for the SWUs.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jan 29, 2013, 8:18 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Dallas, TX US
Programs: AA EXP, 3MM, CO Gold, Delta Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, PC Gold, HZ Pres Cir
Posts: 123
Jan 29, 2013, 8:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 124
Put in the origin, and dates, and put anything in the destination. I used MIA.
For the airline, select Oneworld. You'll be able to change it to American later.
Then, two icons should appear below the destination. Click the one on the left, the map icon.
You can then move around anywhere on the map in the world, and zoom in and out to get more cities to show pricing for your dates.
[The map and graph icons used to show up even if you didn't put in a destination in]
Jan 31, 2013, 5:15 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Dallas, TX US
Programs: AA EXP, 3MM, CO Gold, Delta Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, PC Gold, HZ Pres Cir
Posts: 123
Thank you solosf. Was able to book Vienna for $1k. It took me about 15 minutes to find and book. Humorously, when I went around google flights to book on aa.com directly those same flights came up at $1300. SO you saved me hours, and $$ thanks!!! My whole team at work used this method to find cheap fun flights as well. THANKS!
Jan 31, 2013, 5:55 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
I think the easiest way is Google Travel : http://google.com/flights
Jan 31, 2013, 8:42 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt DM, SPG GLD, Hertz 5*, AMEX PLT, GE
Posts: 340
this is awesome! I keep track of interesting fares to destinations I frequent, and this will be awesome in shorting the amount of time I spend searching for a good deal for vacations.
Jan 31, 2013, 11:21 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Times Square
Programs: SPG Gold, AAdvantage
Posts: 1,397
Thank you solosf. Was able to book Vienna for $1k. It took me about 15 minutes to find and book. Humorously, when I went around google flights to book on aa.com directly those same flights came up at $1300. SO you saved me hours, and $$ thanks!!! My whole team at work used this method to find cheap fun flights as well. THANKS!