When to book for Dec tickets
Jul 2, 2024 | 7:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,480
When to book for Dec tickets
Folks - like many other people, I too can only get a longer vacation mid-Dec and airlines know that so the Dec 15 / early-Jan period to visit BOM or any other Indian city has considerably higher fares even in coach. Any strategies and do Qatar/Etihad/Emirates ever do sale for this period based on past years' knowledge?
Thanks
Thanks
Jul 2, 2024 | 9:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
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Even if anyone can point to sales that have occurred previously, it would be an insanely risky strategy to wait for that potential sale during that busy period of US-IND travel.
Jul 5, 2024 | 3:14 am
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
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There are often Diwali sales but there is no guarantee you will get a good deal. Check rates now & if they are acceptable then go ahead & book.
Jul 5, 2024 | 6:05 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,480
I would have booked if the prices were decent but it's all $1500+. Based on what you remember, are the sales for purchase just on the airline websites or through consolidators like Expedia too? I have some credit with them
Jul 5, 2024 | 8:08 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,421
I book mine around March-April for Dec/Jan using miles. VS had a recent sale of 40% off redemptions(and a 30% transfer bonus) which made the peak period redemptions a decent but not great value. It only gets more expensive from here on.
Jul 5, 2024 | 8:28 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,480
https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/g...uy-points.html
Jul 5, 2024 | 8:36 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2017
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Is this the sale you are referring to? Looks like it's still on
https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/g...uy-points.html
https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/g...uy-points.html
Jul 5, 2024 | 8:38 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,480
ok, does Virgin do it a few times a year?
Currently I'm seeing 60k miles + $640 taxes which isn't great and it's the same as just using Chase portal to book a $1800 flight (1.5 redemption value with Reserve card)
Currently I'm seeing 60k miles + $640 taxes which isn't great and it's the same as just using Chase portal to book a $1800 flight (1.5 redemption value with Reserve card)
Jul 5, 2024 | 9:36 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2017
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I did not understand your Reserve maths. However, with ticket prices in the $1400+ range; 60k miles + $650 still nets you Rs. 1/mile which is very reasonable value for Y. Makes even more sense if you don't want to pay so much cash for a ticket. Obviously you need to have the 60k miles to begin with.
Jul 5, 2024 | 12:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,421
I did not understand your Reserve maths. However, with ticket prices in the $1400+ range; 60k miles + $650 still nets you Rs. 1/mile which is very reasonable value for Y. Makes even more sense if you don't want to pay so much cash for a ticket. Obviously you need to have the 60k miles to begin with.
I booked my dec trip on QR (using AA) outbound and VS return(in PE, during the recent sale). In general I see better reward availability for DEL than BOM.
Jul 5, 2024 | 1:38 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,480
Chase Reserve gives me a 50% bonus on points when using their travel portal to purchase revenue tickets so 120,000 points will net me an $1800 revenue ticket
For Virgin, I'll be paying approximately the same amount for the return ticket since it's 60k miles r/t and $650 in taxes. The dates I checked were Dec 17 - Jan 7 JFK-BOM. Anytime after Dec 17 it jumps to 80k points r/t
For Virgin, I'll be paying approximately the same amount for the return ticket since it's 60k miles r/t and $650 in taxes. The dates I checked were Dec 17 - Jan 7 JFK-BOM. Anytime after Dec 17 it jumps to 80k points r/t
Jul 6, 2024 | 12:56 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2017
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I don't know much about Chase Reserve, but if this applies to other airlines too.... you can get return tickets on those dates for <$1400. So using Chase points would be cheaper than VS points.
Jul 6, 2024 | 12:26 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
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You remind me of the golden days when the miles required for J redemption were fairly low and you could buy miles and get J tickets using AA/UA for lot less than regular J fare (of course not always but I have been able to do so successfully a few times)
Jul 6, 2024 | 1:54 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BLR
Programs: AA - EXP, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UA - Silver
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for what its worth - i do reverse travel (Ind-US-Ind) in Dec/Jan period and usually book around July/August for past few years.. BA usually comes up with a sale around August.. but I just booked mine yday for $3300 in J.. 18 Dec to 10 jan.. quite happy with it.. dont think i can get lower..
Jul 8, 2024 | 6:01 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2013
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