UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I thought about the return flight option - but wasn't sure if they would think that was fishy when he was going through the POE!

I was seeing returns being cheaper too.

I was thinking like at least 3 hours for the layover? I did see a couple - but its just preliminary searches right now.

Thank you!!

Definitely buy a return. And look at different dates and terrible return legs to see of you find a cheaper option...like maybe Easter break is more expensive so pick a different week.

POE will not look at your ticket. They just want to see your passport/visa and sealed envelope.

[gavw72 23]

Definitely buy a return. And look at different dates and terrible return legs to see of you find a cheaper option...like maybe Easter break is more expensive so pick a different week.

POE will not look at your ticket. They just want to see your passport/visa and sealed envelope.

Definitely as Nick says.

All dependant on UK departure & time of year. I fly on 12th March, was about £100 cheaper than the week later (Easter). I spent literally hours searching & ended up Manchester to Atlanta, 3.5hr layover, then Atlanta to Little Rock. My return that I'll be cancelling that gave the cheapest option was 5th May from New York to London. £405.

I used skyscanner for the base search then booked on travelup.co.uk.

[AndyR82 8]

I booked my flight yesterday 30000 air miles and a £169 not too bad really considering a one way ticket was £1276.

Leaving a week Saturday

[gavw72 23]

I thought about the return flight option - but wasn't sure if they would think that was fishy when he was going through the POE!

I was seeing returns being cheaper too.

I was thinking like at least 3 hours for the layover? I did see a couple - but its just preliminary searches right now.

Thank you!!

Don't know what the local UK airport is but I always found flights to be cheaper on the outbound leg from say Manchester or Birmingham than London.

[gavw72 23]

I booked my flight yesterday 30000 air miles and a £169 not too bad really considering a one way ticket was £1276.

Leaving a week Saturday

Not bad at all ?

I'm a week behind you.... my boxes left on Monday & I'm trying to figure out who I need to catch up with & when! Our football police are sorting me a freebie for my last game on the 5th then I've a week of lates at work to get through!!

[AndyR82 8]

Not bad at all ?

I'm a week behind you.... my boxes left on Monday & I'm trying to figure out who I need to catch up with & when! Our football police are sorting me a freebie for my last game on the 5th then I've a week of lates at work to get through!!

That's the fun part trying to meet with people, got Friday with my former colleagues and Saturday with family. Last match on Tuesday night against the evil lot from down the road. Be a decent end to the season getting a freebie Ouch it's a harsh ending at work!

[swji89 41]

I thought about the return flight option - but wasn't sure if they would think that was fishy when he was going through the POE!

I was seeing returns being cheaper too.

I was thinking like at least 3 hours for the layover? I did see a couple - but its just preliminary searches right now.

Thank you!!

Yeah, I must admit I "wimped out" and went for the one-way just to avoid any unwanted questions at POE or issues with the I94 record. I probably would've been fine, but this is all too important to take chances.

I normally found a few with 3 or 4 hours in-between, so keep looking and I'm sure you'l find something. This was looking at flights that left quite early at Heathrow.

[Nauchelle Iain 0]

Yeah, I must admit I "wimped out" and went for the one-way just to avoid any unwanted questions at POE or issues with the I94 record. I probably would've been fine, but this is all too important to take chances.

I normally found a few with 3 or 4 hours in-between, so keep looking and I'm sure you'l find something. This was looking at flights that left quite early at Heathrow.

We will keep looking - I really need to just stop for now as the interview isn't for 2.5 weeks haha. But its good to know what others have done!

Don't know what the local UK airport is but I always found flights to be cheaper on the outbound leg from say Manchester or Birmingham than London.

He is in Edinburgh - so we will try either Edinburgh or Glasgow - but I know he'd much prefer Edinburgh haha.

I booked my flight yesterday 30000 air miles and a £169 not too bad really considering a one way ticket was £1276.

Leaving a week Saturday

I only wish we could find a deal like that! Unfortunately - I've used all my miles to go back over there in 3 weeks!

Definitely as Nick says.

All dependant on UK departure & time of year. I fly on 12th March, was about £100 cheaper than the week later (Easter). I spent literally hours searching & ended up Manchester to Atlanta, 3.5hr layover, then Atlanta to Little Rock. My return that I'll be cancelling that gave the cheapest option was 5th May from New York to London. £405.

I used skyscanner for the base search then booked on travelup.co.uk.

That isn't too bad at all. He will be flying out the first week of May - he has family obligations and his stag do the last weekend of April. We found one for $476 but it had approx 1 million layovers but might be worth it.

Definitely buy a return. And look at different dates and terrible return legs to see of you find a cheaper option...like maybe Easter break is more expensive so pick a different week.

POE will not look at your ticket. They just want to see your passport/visa and sealed envelope.

Okay good to know! Thank you guys so much! This thread has helped my nerves / anxiety so much!

[JFH 12,190]

If you live near an airport that is served by Westjet they are commencing flights to and from the UK in May of this year. They sell their dates on a one-way basis like Norwegian do (and airlines like Southwest). They are coming in around £300 one-way via Toronto from the UK from what I have seen in my own research.

[trudi 1,317]

I booked a return with Virgin, Heathrow to Asheville with a 90 min layover in Atlanta ( unless you want your nerves torn to shreds definitely go for a longer layover!), the return leg was booked for Nov from New York and I paid £660

Exciting times for everyone

[AMZJ 61]

I have airmiles with virgin. They have a 30% sale on at the moment so if you buy airmiles they give you 30% extra. I just brought (around) 12,000 airmiles for £150. I earned 2000 with the surveys I do. I need another 3000 before I book but may end up buying them closer to the time, or a friend has offered me hers but you still have to pay to transfer them. It's £279 with taxes so for 2 people one way I'll end up having paid the £430 and 35,000 airmiles which is really good as that is in July too. It's worth looking at air miles programs particularly if you have airmiles with a company. I'll be POE at Chicago and it'd usually cost about £850 on the cheaper airlines for July. I do have to get from there to Kentucky but I can either get the bus or a connecting flight and I'll have saved nearly £1000.

[JFH 12,190]

I am using miles to upgrade to business class (probably BA to Seattle) so that I can take three large cases and have a snooze on the flight there.

[Laurajc1984 8]

I am using miles to upgrade to business class (probably BA to Seattle) so that I can take three large cases and have a snooze on the flight there.

That's what I've done also with virgin, £330 for an upper class single leg to Washington DC. virgin have an area for flying club members where you can shop through them and earn extra air miles, it's been a gods send.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

We found a one-way flight in June with a layover in Reykjavik for around £400. I admit I am a little jealous since I have always wanted to visit Iceland.

I am assuming June is probably too far off for most of you though, huh?

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

I have airmiles with virgin. They have a 30% sale on at the moment so if you buy airmiles they give you 30% extra. I just brought (around) 12,000 airmiles for £150. I earned 2000 with the surveys I do. I need another 3000 before I book but may end up buying them closer to the time, or a friend has offered me hers but you still have to pay to transfer them. It's £279 with taxes so for 2 people one way I'll end up having paid the £430 and 35,000 airmiles which is really good as that is in July too. It's worth looking at air miles programs particularly if you have airmiles with a company. I'll be POE at Chicago and it'd usually cost about £850 on the cheaper airlines for July. I do have to get from there to Kentucky but I can either get the bus or a connecting flight and I'll have saved nearly £1000.

I have a question about virgin airmiles and I wonder if you (or anyone here) might know the answer. Can you use miles you have saved up for both virgin and virgin america? I have started looking into different frequent flyer/miles programs since his mother expects us to be visiting quite often, and something that could be earned/used universally would be really convenient.