AA/BA/IB ALG-LAX rt Business $1500-1900
Jan 24, 2018, 10:42 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
For those still interested, I'm seeing $1500 flights available on IB's website, but dates are limited
Jan 25, 2018, 11:16 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
The $1500 IB fare is still widely available, it only requires I bucket availability on IB coded metal. It’s that most OTAs will pull up a timy fraction of what is bookable. There is tons of I space, save for some daytime jfk-lax-jfk segments. I may call up one of my real world TA friends to book this.
BTW, Algiers is super cheap and easy to get to from western europe. The IB MAD-ALG flight can be had for peanuts with avios or avios and cash. The Lamaraz Art Hotel seems like a nice comfortable place to overnight, my kids may need to add Algiers to Cairo, Yangon, Dhaka and Colombo which they have already visited ;-). The US, Canada and UK travel advisories look OK for Algiers itself.
BTW, Algiers is super cheap and easy to get to from western europe. The IB MAD-ALG flight can be had for peanuts with avios or avios and cash. The Lamaraz Art Hotel seems like a nice comfortable place to overnight, my kids may need to add Algiers to Cairo, Yangon, Dhaka and Colombo which they have already visited ;-). The US, Canada and UK travel advisories look OK for Algiers itself.
Jan 26, 2018, 2:16 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 28
Try ALG - LGW on 9th October and then LHR - NYC - LAX - HNL AA101 AA117 AA2205 on 10th October
Return 16th October AA162 AA30 AA142 then LGW - ALG should price at Ł1384.
You need D availability, EF is probably the easiest for this.
I have not put this through AA.COM yet....
Return 16th October AA162 AA30 AA142 then LGW - ALG should price at Ł1384.
You need D availability, EF is probably the easiest for this.
I have not put this through AA.COM yet....
Jan 26, 2018, 6:28 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,513
Good to see Algeria being talked about. Last year there was a $450 RT Air France fare from MSP, so we grabbed it-- and THEN found out that Algieria is one of the more challenging countries to get information about.
Amazing things to do and see. I have been telling everyone I know about it: Google Tipasa, Djemila, Tiddis, and TImgad-- all are amazingly preserved, tourist-free Roman Ruins. Constantine is one of the most lovely cities I've been to in a while, great Marriott hotel. Algiers has good food and the original "Kasbah" for you to rock. Wonderful people, very safe place though military is everywhere since they are also in control of the government.
That said, even after spending 13 days there last August AND being an occasional mileage runner, I do think that doing an airside "transit" there without a visa would give me great pause. While you may very well zip right through, for example I was literally the ONLY non-French or Algerian (or both) passenger on my Air France flight. You stand out everywhere you are in Algeria because there just aren't ANY Western tourists. And in the airport, which is of course full of military folks, an odd transit will attract attention.
So at the very least, give yourself plenty of time to transit, and DON'T expect it to go smoothly-- stay calm and see how it goes.
If any of you have the time, if you're going to spend some time in Algeria and then use one of these tickets on your return to the USA (and have secured an Algerian Visa, which we got through the NYC Embassy), I wouldn't hesitate to buy an ex-ALG return.
Doing what some people here are thinkng about-- and acting like it's an easy CMB turn, saying "It's just a mileage run" to the 70 year old guy in military dress checking passports for the old-time-y visas-- may not work so well.
Amazing things to do and see. I have been telling everyone I know about it: Google Tipasa, Djemila, Tiddis, and TImgad-- all are amazingly preserved, tourist-free Roman Ruins. Constantine is one of the most lovely cities I've been to in a while, great Marriott hotel. Algiers has good food and the original "Kasbah" for you to rock. Wonderful people, very safe place though military is everywhere since they are also in control of the government.
That said, even after spending 13 days there last August AND being an occasional mileage runner, I do think that doing an airside "transit" there without a visa would give me great pause. While you may very well zip right through, for example I was literally the ONLY non-French or Algerian (or both) passenger on my Air France flight. You stand out everywhere you are in Algeria because there just aren't ANY Western tourists. And in the airport, which is of course full of military folks, an odd transit will attract attention.
So at the very least, give yourself plenty of time to transit, and DON'T expect it to go smoothly-- stay calm and see how it goes.
If any of you have the time, if you're going to spend some time in Algeria and then use one of these tickets on your return to the USA (and have secured an Algerian Visa, which we got through the NYC Embassy), I wouldn't hesitate to buy an ex-ALG return.
Doing what some people here are thinkng about-- and acting like it's an easy CMB turn, saying "It's just a mileage run" to the 70 year old guy in military dress checking passports for the old-time-y visas-- may not work so well.
Jan 26, 2018, 7:03 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 1,296
Good to see Algeria being talked about. Last year there was a $450 RT Air France fare from MSP, so we grabbed it-- and THEN found out that Algieria is one of the more challenging countries to get information about.
Amazing things to do and see. I have been telling everyone I know about it: Google Tipasa, Djemila, Tiddis, and TImgad-- all are amazingly preserved, tourist-free Roman Ruins. Constantine is one of the most lovely cities I've been to in a while, great Marriott hotel. Algiers has good food and the original "Kasbah" for you to rock. Wonderful people, very safe place though military is everywhere since they are also in control of the government.
That said, even after spending 13 days there last August AND being an occasional mileage runner, I do think that doing an airside "transit" there without a visa would give me great pause. While you may very well zip right through, for example I was literally the ONLY non-French or Algerian (or both) passenger on my Air France flight. You stand out everywhere you are in Algeria because there just aren't ANY Western tourists. And in the airport, which is of course full of military folks, an odd transit will attract attention.
So at the very least, give yourself plenty of time to transit, and DON'T expect it to go smoothly-- stay calm and see how it goes.
If any of you have the time, if you're going to spend some time in Algeria and then use one of these tickets on your return to the USA (and have secured an Algerian Visa, which we got through the NYC Embassy), I wouldn't hesitate to buy an ex-ALG return.
Doing what some people here are thinkng about-- and acting like it's an easy CMB turn, saying "It's just a mileage run" to the 70 year old guy in military dress checking passports for the old-time-y visas-- may not work so well.
Amazing things to do and see. I have been telling everyone I know about it: Google Tipasa, Djemila, Tiddis, and TImgad-- all are amazingly preserved, tourist-free Roman Ruins. Constantine is one of the most lovely cities I've been to in a while, great Marriott hotel. Algiers has good food and the original "Kasbah" for you to rock. Wonderful people, very safe place though military is everywhere since they are also in control of the government.
That said, even after spending 13 days there last August AND being an occasional mileage runner, I do think that doing an airside "transit" there without a visa would give me great pause. While you may very well zip right through, for example I was literally the ONLY non-French or Algerian (or both) passenger on my Air France flight. You stand out everywhere you are in Algeria because there just aren't ANY Western tourists. And in the airport, which is of course full of military folks, an odd transit will attract attention.
So at the very least, give yourself plenty of time to transit, and DON'T expect it to go smoothly-- stay calm and see how it goes.
If any of you have the time, if you're going to spend some time in Algeria and then use one of these tickets on your return to the USA (and have secured an Algerian Visa, which we got through the NYC Embassy), I wouldn't hesitate to buy an ex-ALG return.
Doing what some people here are thinkng about-- and acting like it's an easy CMB turn, saying "It's just a mileage run" to the 70 year old guy in military dress checking passports for the old-time-y visas-- may not work so well.
Jan 26, 2018, 9:54 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Many thanks! Fairly adventurous family here, this is exactly the kind of feedback we were looking for. This price is great and I’d hate to miss out on an opportunity to see a new country, given the experience you had it sounds like it’s worthy of a couple days while picking up this ticket. Thanks again
Good to see Algeria being talked about. Last year there was a $450 RT Air France fare from MSP, so we grabbed it-- and THEN found out that Algieria is one of the more challenging countries to get information about.
Amazing things to do and see. I have been telling everyone I know about it: Google Tipasa, Djemila, Tiddis, and TImgad-- all are amazingly preserved, tourist-free Roman Ruins. Constantine is one of the most lovely cities I've been to in a while, great Marriott hotel. Algiers has good food and the original "Kasbah" for you to rock. Wonderful people, very safe place though military is everywhere since they are also in control of the government.
That said, even after spending 13 days there last August AND being an occasional mileage runner, I do think that doing an airside "transit" there without a visa would give me great pause. While you may very well zip right through, for example I was literally the ONLY non-French or Algerian (or both) passenger on my Air France flight. You stand out everywhere you are in Algeria because there just aren't ANY Western tourists. And in the airport, which is of course full of military folks, an odd transit will attract attention.
So at the very least, give yourself plenty of time to transit, and DON'T expect it to go smoothly-- stay calm and see how it goes.
If any of you have the time, if you're going to spend some time in Algeria and then use one of these tickets on your return to the USA (and have secured an Algerian Visa, which we got through the NYC Embassy), I wouldn't hesitate to buy an ex-ALG return.
Doing what some people here are thinkng about-- and acting like it's an easy CMB turn, saying "It's just a mileage run" to the 70 year old guy in military dress checking passports for the old-time-y visas-- may not work so well.
Amazing things to do and see. I have been telling everyone I know about it: Google Tipasa, Djemila, Tiddis, and TImgad-- all are amazingly preserved, tourist-free Roman Ruins. Constantine is one of the most lovely cities I've been to in a while, great Marriott hotel. Algiers has good food and the original "Kasbah" for you to rock. Wonderful people, very safe place though military is everywhere since they are also in control of the government.
That said, even after spending 13 days there last August AND being an occasional mileage runner, I do think that doing an airside "transit" there without a visa would give me great pause. While you may very well zip right through, for example I was literally the ONLY non-French or Algerian (or both) passenger on my Air France flight. You stand out everywhere you are in Algeria because there just aren't ANY Western tourists. And in the airport, which is of course full of military folks, an odd transit will attract attention.
So at the very least, give yourself plenty of time to transit, and DON'T expect it to go smoothly-- stay calm and see how it goes.
If any of you have the time, if you're going to spend some time in Algeria and then use one of these tickets on your return to the USA (and have secured an Algerian Visa, which we got through the NYC Embassy), I wouldn't hesitate to buy an ex-ALG return.
Doing what some people here are thinkng about-- and acting like it's an easy CMB turn, saying "It's just a mileage run" to the 70 year old guy in military dress checking passports for the old-time-y visas-- may not work so well.
Jan 26, 2018, 10:31 am
#22
formerly mattking2000
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: DXB
Programs: BA|AC|AZ|SPG|H|FPC
Posts: 1,183
Many thanks! Fairly adventurous family here, this is exactly the kind of feedback we were looking for. This price is great and I’d hate to miss out on an opportunity to see a new country, given the experience you had it sounds like it’s worthy of a couple days while picking up this ticket. Thanks again
Jan 26, 2018, 11:30 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Thanks for all the helpful advice 
Was only considering connecting through ALG, now you guy are making me consider actually spending time Algeria.
Was only considering connecting through ALG, now you guy are making me consider actually spending time Algeria.
Jan 27, 2018, 10:13 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
I spent a few hours digging into this fare, puzzled why I cannot get it to pull up in EF or matrix to get the complete fare rules and maximize it. I still cannot find this fare, but if you look up ALG-JFK in matrix you can find an identically priced IB fare. If you pull the fare rules you will see “sale is restricted to certain agents.”
Other key rules include 2 stopovers permitted free. I cant find MPM, but i expect its sufficient to route to JFK via LAX.
You may start to realize this fare might be a hint as to why all returns from the “ALG-LAX fare” we believe we are looking at have to route thru JFK ;-)
Edited to Add: Ah, finally located the fare and its routing table which confirms what I have said above
V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG
1 INNN3C I‡R 952.00 ---- -/‡ 3/12M AT01
PASSENGER TYPE-ADT AUTO PRICE-YES
FROM-ALG TO-NYC CXR-IB TVL-15FEB18 RULE-M602 IPRA/1
FARE BASIS-INNN3C SPECIAL FARE DIS-E VENDOR-ATP
FARE TYPE-BX RT-BUSINESS CLASS EXCURSION
DZD 107600 7123 E02JUN17 D-INFINITY FC-INNN3C FN-
SYSTEM DATES - CREATED 01JUN17/1018 EXPIRES INFINITY
PUBLISHED RTG ALG-NYC/IB7123/TAR-TARG EF-02JUN17 DIS-INDEF
/VIA THE ATLANTIC/
MAP CONSTRUCTED LEFT TO RIGHT AND RIGHT TO LEFT
1. ALG-BCN/MAD-BCN/MAD-BA/IB-LON-BOS/CHI/DFW/LAX/MIA/NYC/SJU/
WAS-AA/IB-NYC
2. ALG-BCN/MAD-BCN/MAD-BA/IB-LON-BOS/NYC-B6-NYC
3. ALG-BCN/MAD-BCN/MAD-BA/IB-LON-NYC
Other key rules include 2 stopovers permitted free. I cant find MPM, but i expect its sufficient to route to JFK via LAX.
You may start to realize this fare might be a hint as to why all returns from the “ALG-LAX fare” we believe we are looking at have to route thru JFK ;-)
Edited to Add: Ah, finally located the fare and its routing table which confirms what I have said above
Routing Details
Search:Departing ALG on 02/15/18 for JFK
Fare basis code INNN3C
Flying IB
Routing via North Atlantic
Fare basis code INNN3C
Flying IB
Routing via North Atlantic
V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG
1 INNN3C I‡R 952.00 ---- -/‡ 3/12M AT01
PASSENGER TYPE-ADT AUTO PRICE-YES
FROM-ALG TO-NYC CXR-IB TVL-15FEB18 RULE-M602 IPRA/1
FARE BASIS-INNN3C SPECIAL FARE DIS-E VENDOR-ATP
FARE TYPE-BX RT-BUSINESS CLASS EXCURSION
DZD 107600 7123 E02JUN17 D-INFINITY FC-INNN3C FN-
SYSTEM DATES - CREATED 01JUN17/1018 EXPIRES INFINITY
PUBLISHED RTG ALG-NYC/IB7123/TAR-TARG EF-02JUN17 DIS-INDEF
/VIA THE ATLANTIC/
MAP CONSTRUCTED LEFT TO RIGHT AND RIGHT TO LEFT
1. ALG-BCN/MAD-BCN/MAD-BA/IB-LON-BOS/CHI/DFW/LAX/MIA/NYC/SJU/
WAS-AA/IB-NYC
2. ALG-BCN/MAD-BCN/MAD-BA/IB-LON-BOS/NYC-B6-NYC
3. ALG-BCN/MAD-BCN/MAD-BA/IB-LON-NYC
Last edited by stephem; Jan 30, 2018 at 7:35 pm
Jan 31, 2018, 3:25 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 65
Just completed this transit successfully. It was not an orthodox transfer by any means but certainly doable. Speaking French makes things much easier, but many of the officials spoke to me in English, so I don’t think that’s as much of a barrier as it may once have been.
Upon landing from ORY (the contract staff for Air Algerie had to call the main office to confirm that my TWOV was possible, but once they did I had no issues), I followed everybody down Passport Control. I filled out the Transit Card and presented it to the officer who told me to go back upstairs to the Transit Bureau instead. There’s actually a labeled “Correspondances and Transit” area at the end of the departure hall. You’ll need to turn left upon disembarkation and follow it all the way to the very end. Finding it was awkward since it requires walking around the secure area. I could have easily jumped onto a different departing AH flight if I wanted to and I’m certain that nobody would have noticed.
At the Transit office there’s a security checkpoint with a desk at the end. The official took my passport at the entrance and told me to wait before the metal detector while they called the Iberia desk. There may have been miscommunication because I stood around for 20 minutes until a different guy walked in and asked them why I was standing there, upon which they promptly allowed me to go through the security. They told me to wait in the Departures area until the Iberia desk opened. 25 minutes later the Transit desk official came over and returned my passport with all boarding passes, including LHR-LAX tomorrow. Simple enough.
Overall it was certainly doable, although I may have benefited from a nearly empty terminal during the entire process. Wouldn’t make it a habitual occurrence but I wouldn’t hesitate to make this transit again either. Hope this helps somebody else.
At the Transit office there’s a security checkpoint with a desk at the end. The official took my passport at the entrance and told me to wait before the metal detector while they called the Iberia desk. There may have been miscommunication because I stood around for 20 minutes until a different guy walked in and asked them why I was standing there, upon which they promptly allowed me to go through the security. They told me to wait in the Departures area until the Iberia desk opened. 25 minutes later the Transit desk official came over and returned my passport with all boarding passes, including LHR-LAX tomorrow. Simple enough.
Overall it was certainly doable, although I may have benefited from a nearly empty terminal during the entire process. Wouldn’t make it a habitual occurrence but I wouldn’t hesitate to make this transit again either. Hope this helps somebody else.
Jan 31, 2018, 5:46 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
Probably not the place for a 59m back-to-back then
Shame, as for TP runners, there are good prices (Ł1300ish for 720TPs, so Ł1.74ish/TP) and decent timings for an LGW-ALG ALG-LGW-JFK-SFO SFO-JFK-LHRxLGW-ALG which could be fitted into a long weeked !
Shame, as for TP runners, there are good prices (Ł1300ish for 720TPs, so Ł1.74ish/TP) and decent timings for an LGW-ALG ALG-LGW-JFK-SFO SFO-JFK-LHRxLGW-ALG which could be fitted into a long weeked !
Jan 31, 2018, 10:07 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Just completed this transit successfully. It was not an orthodox transfer by any means but certainly doable. Speaking French makes things much easier, but many of the officials spoke to me in English, so I don’t think that’s as much of a barrier as it may once have been.
Upon landing from ORY (the contract staff for Air Algerie had to call the main office to confirm that my TWOV was possible, but once they did I had no issues), I followed everybody down Passport Control. I filled out the Transit Card and presented it to the officer who told me to go back upstairs to the Transit Bureau instead. There’s actually a labeled “Correspondances and Transit” area at the end of the departure hall. You’ll need to turn left upon disembarkation and follow it all the way to the very end. Finding it was awkward since it requires walking around the secure area. I could have easily jumped onto a different departing AH flight if I wanted to and I’m certain that nobody would have noticed.
At the Transit office there’s a security checkpoint with a desk at the end. The official took my passport at the entrance and told me to wait before the metal detector while they called the Iberia desk. There may have been miscommunication because I stood around for 20 minutes until a different guy walked in and asked them why I was standing there, upon which they promptly allowed me to go through the security. They told me to wait in the Departures area until the Iberia desk opened. 25 minutes later the Transit desk official came over and returned my passport with all boarding passes, including LHR-LAX tomorrow. Simple enough.
Overall it was certainly doable, although I may have benefited from a nearly empty terminal during the entire process. Wouldn’t make it a habitual occurrence but I wouldn’t hesitate to make this transit again either. Hope this helps somebody else.
At the Transit office there’s a security checkpoint with a desk at the end. The official took my passport at the entrance and told me to wait before the metal detector while they called the Iberia desk. There may have been miscommunication because I stood around for 20 minutes until a different guy walked in and asked them why I was standing there, upon which they promptly allowed me to go through the security. They told me to wait in the Departures area until the Iberia desk opened. 25 minutes later the Transit desk official came over and returned my passport with all boarding passes, including LHR-LAX tomorrow. Simple enough.
Overall it was certainly doable, although I may have benefited from a nearly empty terminal during the entire process. Wouldn’t make it a habitual occurrence but I wouldn’t hesitate to make this transit again either. Hope this helps somebody else.
Jan 31, 2018, 12:39 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 65
For what it’s worth, I had a great flight with AH. On the lowest economy fare, meal service was included, as well as seat selection (I even selected an exit row). Flight was on time and employees were courteous. Was a blast to the past of economy flying. Maybe their reliability is shoddy but overall definitely better service than many of the “enhanced” European and American carriers.
Feb 1, 2018, 4:29 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 42
Booked on a similar fare ALG - DOH - PEK with QR in October, arriving on BA flight from LGW with 3 hour plus turn around. I was wondering if anybody had any experience of making a TWOV with checked baggage? I tried messaging SWISSPORT with no response.
Feb 1, 2018, 9:23 am
#30
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
It looks like most IB fares ex Africa to JFK have a similar string of routing rules, which include LAX in the mix. It looks like few fares have thr generous stopover rules of this fare however, so this appears to be one of the few that works for LAX as a psuedo destination (aka long stopover).