nycdave From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 518 posts, RR: 1 Posted (5 months 2 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1838 times:
So, I need to rack up a few more segments on my days off to make it to Star Alliance gold (5.5 segments short, but about 20k miles short). So, I'm wondering -- what's the best way to search for the cheapest flights when I *don't* care about the location? Obviously I'm still going to care about price, date, and carrier, but damned if I know a convenient way to search without a destination, since I've never done it before! All my usual go-to's require it!
planeguy727 From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1066 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (5 months 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1828 times:
try google flights (www.google.com/flights) You can set your departure city, leave the destination blank, set your dates, price max and you'll get a map with blue dots that match - zoom in to see more options. mouse over a city to see price, click it to show options. I find some major deals this way. With 20K you might be able to find some options for longer flights at decent rates rather than a series of segments.
RyanairGuru From Australia, joined Oct 2006, 2506 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (5 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 1812 times:
Another way is to go to SkyScanner and put the destination as "Everywhere"
I just assumed that you were in NYC (given your username) and thought I'd play around to see the most cost effective way to 6 sectors. I also assumed that you wanted day returns, given time constraints. I therefore used Saturday January 12.
If you only have 1 weekend (assuming that it is weekends you have off) consider looking at two one way flights. As much as I tried to convince various booking engines to give me 3 segments both out and back, they all insisted that you could only do two on the return. But if you book separate reservations then you could so something like:
LGA-IAH-DEN-COS for $111, overnight, and then COS-IAH-DCA-LGA for $126. (Total: 237)
If you can't take two days consecutively, then there are some pretty good deals on day returns on Saturdays from what I can see on that date. I guess you could do a simple roundtrip, plus a second one with a stopover.
For example I got LGA-ORD-LGA for $138 and LGA-IAD-RDU-IAD-LGA for $156. (Total: $294)
Obviously you couldn't do them both in one day, but you get the idea. Doing these short east coast trips would obviously be much cheaper than 20,000 miles. You're looking at Australia for that sort of mileage.
nycdave From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 518 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (5 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1750 times:
You guys are awesome. Gonna try to book today, I'll let you know what I wind up with!
Yeah, sigh... Australia. Thought I'd be going back before the end of the year... Ha! My first trip there this year was enough alone to put me in Silver!
RyanairGuru From Australia, joined Oct 2006, 2506 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (5 months 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 1725 times:
Just as a heads up, I forget to mention that the COS itinerary (and others like it) are from Orbitz. They seemed to be the best at stringing out bizarre three leg itineraries for a good price!
YXD172 From Canada, joined Feb 2008, 426 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1681 times:
Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 4): Just as a heads up, I forget to mention that the COS itinerary (and others like it) are from Orbitz. They seemed to be the best at stringing out bizarre three leg itineraries for a good price!
I've noticed that with them too, it's made for a couple interesting trips!
Good luck, tell us what convoluted itinerary you end up with!
Radial engines don't leak oil, they are just marking their territory!
nycdave From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 518 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (5 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1254 times:
Well, I'm up to 26.5 segments... only 3.5 left to keep my status!
I'm definitely not proving as adept at you guys at coming up with itineraries, even using those tools (skyscanner usually shows me something really good... but then for the dates, only turns up stuff wayyyy higher).
Anyone want to try cooking up an intinerary -- even a same-day r/t -- good for 3.5 or 4 segments on *A? Xmas day is totally open for me! The 30th & 31st as well!
xjramper From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2345 posts, RR: 52 Reply 7, posted (5 months 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 1201 times:
Christmas day:
LGA-PHL-RDU on Kayak is showing $132 o/w
RDU-CLT-LGA on kayak is showing $78 o/w.
Your options are basically severely limited as trying to get back to nyc, especially around NYE is going to be rather expensive, with everyone traveling to see the ball drop and whatnot. Plus your holidays are going to drive prices up along with closing in on the 7 day purchase rule, I would hop on something really, really quick.
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