We are going on a cruise to Italy on May 11, returning on May 25. What are the odds of getting 4 non-rev seats from Denver through EWR to Venice and returning from Rome? Has anyone traveled non-rev to Europe recently?
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We are going on a cruise to Italy on May 11, returning on May 25. What are the odds of getting 4 non-rev seats from Denver through EWR to Venice and returning from Rome? Has anyone traveled non-rev to Europe recently?
Don't count on any zeds on DL from any gateway. All ours are almost always overbooked from much of April thru October. I'd be planning to get to another city and buy pos space air or train tkts to get to those ports.
We checked 2 flights--170 and 41. 170 had 30 first class, 30 business, and 124 coach. 41 had 8 first, 23 business and 123 coach. So do you think they will fill up by May?Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs767er
AA, DL & Emirates have been having fare sales between JFK-MXP. UA might have deals as well out of EWR. Not sure that I would chance it and risk missing a cruise unless you give yourself at least a week to get there and plan on several backups.
That said, a few years ago, I once got to FCO on AA in J only because a thunderstorm passing thru the area caused a number of diversions and opened up a bunch of seats. I was resigned to settling in a middle seat in the back for 8 hours. The FCO flight left on time. For the return, MXP & FCO were both oversold so we ended up taking the train from MXP to ZRH to fly back. This was in October.
I'll put it this way--with 29 yrs seniority as emp spouse, I've only been to Rome 3-4 times in 15 yrs and once to Venice was enough (don't like it--filthy, crowded and food sux). It's hardly ever available to high priority nonrevs, much less 4 zed riders. Just my opinion...Quote:
Originally Posted by hopeful wanderer
I think getting to another European City such as Frankfurt, Paris, even Munich would give you better chances, then buy confirmed space tickets to Rome. Italy is always challenging, even outside of the summer season. I find April and May are OK, but once you hit June, July and August.... not the best. Try looking at ZED's departing from Canada. There are numerous European departures from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal on KLM, Lufthansa and many others. WestJet is launching its LGW service starting on May 6 so that may be an option for you, then by a confirmed ticket to Italy.
Thanks, everyone. Can you buy a confirmed seat in coach and then upgrade to first as a non-rev if seats are available?
On DL, we can't do that but I would think same for most majors. We do have PS tkts that can be upgraded w/miles (if avail) and some PS lower $ tkts that cannot (makes sense).
Yes. They will fill up.
Summer + Europe = trouble. Don't even bother looking up loads now, because yes, they WILL fill up between now and then. And on UA, it is a huge no-no to be listed for the same flight you hold confirmed space on, I believe even a different flight on the same route/same day is a problem. Also, if you don't show up for the flight you hold confirmed space on (keeping in mind that your nonrev listing is separate from your confirmed listing, so you'd still no-show as far as the confirmed booking is concerned) the rest of your itinerary (that is, your return flight) will be cancelled.
The one thing I can suggest is that if any city in Europe has seats available on UA, it's LHR. Not really where you're looking to go, but something to consider. Of course, that's not a guarantee, and those numbers you see now will be just as useless so far in advance. But if LHR is full, you're going to have a hell of a time getting out of anywhere in Europe.
Update to thread:
We came back a few days early, on May 22. We bought tickets to and from Newark and then flew non-rev, first class, to Venice and returned home from Rome. Yes, it is indeed possible to non-rev to Italy in May. Domestic flights were full, but international flights had empty seats.
Glad you came back to report your results. Obviously they were successful efforts. Did you fly EWR/FCO or another route? How did you get first class as nonrev--which airline?
Next question--will you tell us about your trip, please?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs767er
We flew EWR to VCE going out and FCO to IAD coming back on UA. It was a wonderful trip--we took an Oceania cruise down the Adriatic sea from Venice to Rome. We got a 50% discount from perx.com, balcony cabins on the Sirena. There were 7 other non-revs on the trip to Venice, and 9 on the trip back home. I would recommend paying for your domestic flight and then non-revving internationally.
Well, that sounds like shabby cruise!!