FC Mile juggling and flight planning to MCO in Aug

Trying to figure out our best options for a trip Jun 31 or Aug 1-Aug 15 +/- one day either side. Party of either 4 or 5 adults, 1 9 year-old.

I have 22K miles, wife has 15K, friend has 11K.

We're roughly equidistant from Manchester and Gatwick, and looking to maximise comfort and minimize cost. It's looking as though our choices are either Econ for all from LGW 31/7-15/8, or PE from Manchester same dates and spend miles.

Anyone any suggestions, thoughts?

Given that your travel dates are slap bang in the middle of the school Summer hols, I would not expect any reward / miles+money fares to be available for the flights. VS will be able to sell these seats for cash with ease - and will do so.

Sorry to sound negative - but just being realistic.

James

Hi Mike and welcome.
Given that using miles to upgrade will mean having to buy a more expensive fare I would suggest purchasing your flights outright (the current sale fares cover the dates you wish to travel)in a cheaper fare class (be it economy or PE).You have relatively few miles so would only be able to cover an upgrade for yourself and a one way upgrade for your wife and friend from EC to PE(in a more expensive fare code and if there was reward availability).
DL

[HighFlyer]

Hi Mike,

As Kraken says, MCO is a hard route to redeem miles on at peak times, especially if you have fixed dates and a large party.

That said, I have just checked and there are two reward seats to MCO on the 31st July. You could all book Economy and upgrade yourself and the Wife into PE on the way out?

Dragonlady hit the nail on the head though, purchasing PE outright would be a better use of cash and miles at this time of year.

Thanks,
Sarah

Wow - PE's cheaper than I thought.

Now kicking myself I didn't buy PE for the business trip to MCO last weekend (VS15 Friday, VS16 Sunday).

[Nottingham Nick]

The PE fares showing at the moment are sale fares - they aren't always that low. [;)]

NB The current USA sale ends on 27th January.

Nick