"Affordable" Flights from Nice (NCE) to Washington DC (IAD or DCA)
 

I realize there are many people far more well-versed in scouting airline deals than me -- as such, I'm hoping someone with more knowledge and confidence in the field will be able to guide me.

I am looking for a reasonably priced one-way flight from Nice (NCE) to Washington DC (IAD or DCA) for the end of my honeymoon.

We plan to fly (one-way) to Amsterdam, then fly (some cheaper, European flight -- any suggestions?) to Nice, France, where we'll spend a week.
The problem is trying to find a flight HOME from there (we live near Washington DC).

Right now, I'm finding flights for $2200 or more (and these are economy, with stops)... but the flights to Amsterdam (from DC) are SO much cheaper... so I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Any input or advice would be gladly appreciated.

Have you checked getting a roundtrip WAS-NCE-WAS ticket instead of two one-ways? Quite often the RT's a lot cheaper. Check on Delta and KLM.

Also, you could compare a combination of WAS-AMS-WAS on one airline and AMS-NCE-AMS on another airline. Problem here is if they are ticketed separately you may have problems if flights are cancelled. Find the flights and then pay the $25 more to a travel agent to ensure they get ticketed together.

I suspect you are not using the multi-destination function on your searches. Usually trans-Atlantic flights into one western European city and out of another are not much more costly than round trip to a city such as Amsterdam. Prices will also depend on the time of year, which you didn't state. I ran a test for the end of September with Delta/KLM/Air France which offered a WAS-NCE-AMS-WAS combo for about $1000, although with more stops than might be ideal. Other airlines will be competitive
Go to www.skyscanner.com for European budget airlines; I saw a Nice-Amsterdam ticket for about $80 at that time. Be aware, however, that these lines do not connect with regular carriers and so you would probably want to stay overnight, at least, in Amsterdam.

KLM or Delta nonstop to Amsterdam from JFK or ATL and Delta nonstop from Nice to JFK back to DC. All Sky Team so you will get the combined miles.

I strongly suggest you take the NoFlyZone and Southam's advice. The way the majority of the transatlantic airlines work is two one way fares do not equal a roundtrip fare. Infact, they are significantly higher than a roundtrip fare.

As noted above though, a multi-city ticket will give you the benefit of the roundtrip fare break while allowing you to fly into one city (AMS) and out of another (NCE) The airline will break down the fare as WAS-AMS as 1/2 of the ticket and NCE-WAS as the other half. The price difference between the two will most likely be negligible.

I think the JFK/NCE flight is seasonal. Out of season, you might be routed through CDG or elsewhere for a connection.

Yes, multi-destination (also called "open jaw") is the way to go for this destination. Just be aware that a reasonably priced ticket may still be $1300. I'd also price a simple round-trip from WAS to AMS and see what intra-European carriers fly NCE to AMS. That might still be an option.