beachgirl86

Hi everyone --

As I said in my earlier post, I am looking into airfares to Europe in February. The best I have found so far is $500 on British Airways, nonstop Boston to Heathrow. What appeals to me about this flight is the fact that it's non-stop, and I can earn miles on my AA FF account through BA.

I am a teacher, so I will be traveling on school vacation, therefore my dates are not flexible. If I take this fare, I would spend time in both London and Paris.

Is this a good price, and should I grab it soon? I know it's early, but I'm wondering if lower prices will be available as it is a school vacation week. Thanks!

rex

Though rare and rare to find, each of the past three winters have had "under $200" fares from NYC (and BOS too, I think) to London - - which realistically meant more like $330 with the taxes and fees. I would not count on them being offered again every winter, and maybe $50 higher even if they are.

Moreover, you cannot count on them being exactly the times and dates you want (which you seem to have now).

Still, you asked if this is "good" price. the answer is yes, but it doesn't mean that someone won't (possibly) be able to do better!

Best wishes,

Rex

beachgirl86

Thank you, Rex...you always have sound advice!

jsmith

An exception, beachgirl86, you do not get AA FF miles when flying the north Atlantic on BA.

RJames

beachgirl86, jsmith is right you do not earn AAFF points on trans-Atlantic BA flights. In fact, you do not always earn AAFF points on AA trans-Atlantic flights. If earning points is important to you make sure yu check on this before buying you ticket.

beachgirl86

I did not realize that about the miles....why wouldn't I earn miles? When I went through to the screen where you pay for the tickets to check this out, it prompted me for my FF # on AA.

ira

Hi bg,

Check with www.mobissimo.com.

$500 for a nonstop is a good price today.

I would keep searching through Sept.

beachgirl86

That's a great website I hadn't used before, thanks, ira!

cmt

No, I don't think it's good. I fly from Newark, and I'd want to find a lower fare than that if I were going to Italy, so, unless it's much more expensive to fly from Boston, I think you should be able to find something much lower to London at that time of year.

janis

No - I definitely DO NOT think that is a good price. It IS a good price for a Feb ticket purchased in July. But most winter sales are sprung in late Sept/Oct/Nov. The last several years you could have easily got a $500 fare on aa, BA, Virgin and others -- from the WEST COAST. In fact I flew from SFO for $398 plus taxes.

From the east coast there are often fare sales w/ fares between $198 and $300 + taxes.

And not only will you not earn AA ff miles, you can't even earn BA miles on a discounted coach ticket.

The cheapest tix are usually for Jan/Feb/early march so I'd definitely wait.

beachgirl86

I think I will take your advice and wait. My mother and I are thinking of going to Paris anyways. Thanks!

rkkwan

You can earn AA miles on BA flights between UK and Canada and/or other Carribean locations. Just not the US.

It's an anti-trust restriction placed on the two airlines when they become partners. As AA/BA combined own a huge percentage of the US-UK market, the restriction is placed to put some competition back BETWEEN those two airlines for passengers.

GreenDragon

February isn't high season... August is. I got rountrip (albiet not non-stop) from Orlando to London in AUGUST for $482 plus taxes on UA through Priceline. You don't have to be flexible on your dates for Priceline to work, but you can't pick your airline or your flight times.

gardeniapatti

We flew on Virgin to London from DC this past March for $226 (before taxes and fees). There were similar fares from NYC at the same time.

We booked our tickets in January, so that may have made a difference, but I think you'll be able to do better.