Looking for a cheap flight to Washington DC

WolfSong2000

hey guys,

I am flying out to Washington DC end of June until (hopefully) beginning of October, but have been researching flight prices and they appear to have rocketed!!!

Am trying to find a reasonably priced flight leaving around 21st June (can be 2-3 days after this) and returning between 6-9th (ideally 8th or 9th) of October. Am also trying to find a ticket that will allow me to be flexible if I need to change return date

The best deal I can find is a Virgin flight for just over £500. Maybe this is as good as it gets now, but even just a few years ago I booked a last min indirect (via Texas) flight to Wisconsin for £100 less than this! Flight prices are becoming ridiculous .

But yeah, if anyone can help me out I'd really appreciate it! I'm a struggling postgrad student, so money is really tight.

richardw

It's the taxes that have gone up, the airline isn't getting all that extra money.

dmg24

Have a look at Iceland Express to New York - not sure if your long dates will increase the price, but they currently have June/ July dates for £299.

Doshwaster

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

hey guys,

I am flying out to Washington DC end of June until (hopefully) beginning of October, but have been researching flight prices and they appear to have rocketed!!!

Am trying to find a reasonably priced flight leaving around 21st June (can be 2-3 days after this) and returning between 6-9th (ideally 8th or 9th) of October. Am also trying to find a ticket that will allow me to be flexible if I need to change return date

The trouble is that "flexible" and "cheap" are usually mutually exclusive when it comes to airline tickets. The cheapest ones are usually non-changeable. The middly ones are usually changeable for a few and the most expensive ones which are fully changeable and refundable.

So, you need to make a choice. Pay the cheapest fare and have your travel times set in stone, or pay a little more and be able to change the dates (usually at a hefty £100 change fee)

Also, remember if you are going to the US for more than 3 months you will need some kind of visa. The standard Visa Waiver Program only covers 90 days and is strictly enforced. Overstay even by a day and you may find yourself in trouble and aren't allowed back in.

WolfSong2000

Doshwaster wrote: »

The trouble is that "flexible" and "cheap" are usually mutually exclusive when it comes to airline tickets. The cheapest ones are usually non-changeable. The middly ones are usually changeable for a few and the most expensive ones which are fully changeable and refundable.

So, you need to make a choice. Pay the cheapest fare and have your travel times set in stone, or pay a little more and be able to change the dates (usually at a hefty £100 change fee)

Also, remember if you are going to the US for more than 3 months you will need some kind of visa. The standard Visa Waiver Program only covers 90 days and is strictly enforced. Overstay even by a day and you may find yourself in trouble and aren't allowed back in.

Thanks - I am getting a visa ( J1), but don't have my embassy appointment until 7th, and visa wont arrive until about 10 days after that, so would be leaving it very last minute if I waited until I got visa to buy flights.

Also, visa is valid until October, but I am aware that the job market in America isn't great, so I don't want to be stranded due to limitations imposed by a cheap flight...it used to be you could change (at least with BA) for free as long as ticket was in the same class, but it seems now they charge for that as well...

I know I am asking for the impossible, but before I fork out over £500 (the most I have ever paid for a flight!) I just want to make sure there's no other options.

k3lvc

At c.GBP500 for the virgin flight I'd snap their hands off - particularly given that over GBP300 of this is taxes and surcharges.

Assume you've checked regional airport options if you're not in London

WolfSong2000

k3lvc wrote: »

At c.GBP500 for the virgin flight I'd snap their hands off - particularly given that over GBP300 of this is taxes and surcharges.

Assume you've checked regional airport options if you're not in London

Well, Gatwick would be easier, but most flights to DC depart from Heathrow. Also wanted to go to Ronald Reagan International rather than Dulles, but there were no direct flights, and couldn't find anything same price or cheaper.

Doshwaster

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

Thanks - I am getting a visa ( J1), but don't have my embassy appointment until 7th, and visa wont arrive until about 10 days after that, so would be leaving it very last minute if I waited until I got visa to buy flights.

Also, visa is valid until October, but I am aware that the job market in America isn't great, so I don't want to be stranded due to limitations imposed by a cheap flight...it used to be you could change (at least with BA) for free as long as ticket was in the same class, but it seems now they charge for that as well...

I know I am asking for the impossible, but before I fork out over £500 (the most I have ever paid for a flight!) I just want to make sure there's no other options.

TBH, £500 for a return to the US is fairly good in the current market.

On BA, their cheapest (discounted Y, often sold through bucket shops) are totally non-changeable and their slightly more expensive ones usually have a change fee of £90 + any fare difference. Double check the fare rules before booking.

You may be able to get a slightly cheaper price by flying via Amsterdam or Paris, but is it really worth the hassle of changing to save a few quid? Of course if you are flying from a regional airport in the UK, it makes little difference if you connect through London, Amsterdam or Paris.

spratley

I'm also looking for a flight to DC ( in July) & have been checking prices over the last couple of months - they all seem to be around the £700 mark. I would certainly snap up a £500 direct flight, if I could find one. Supply & demand, I suppose, but it seems crazy that I could get to Oz for less!
Just wondering if prices are likely to get even higher as we approach July, or will there be last minute bargains? I don't mind paying £700 if I have to, but not much more! I have definite dates in mind, but these can vary by a couple of days each way. I may take the risk, even if I miss out on the trip - it's no big deal.
Sorry for the slight change in course, Wolfsong, but hopefully there may be other replies to interest you too...

lfc84

phone travelnation or trailfinders

Alan_Bowen

Fares for the US are at a premium this summer and it seems every airline would rather reduce the seats available than reduce prices. If you have to travel at or around a certain date from mid July to early September the fares will only go up from now