Quickie Non-Rev Trips

pavelump · December 5th, 2005, 23:44

Now that I've made it to the big time here at American Eagle (haha, just kidding) I have all these great travel benefits. Unfortunately though, not only do I have no time to adequately use this benefit, but I don't even really have any $$$ to do much once I get there...

Regardless, I thought that it might be fun to take a quick trip to Europe just for #####s. Something in the neighborhood of a trip to Ireland to get a Guinness and kiss the Blarney stone and come back the next day...

Anybody got any good experiences doing this? How about traveling on carriers other than your own, i.e. to avoid NRSA charges.

What sort of charges/taxes do you have to pay to the country to enter/leave?

I usually only have 3 days off in a row, but if I get ready reserve on my last day, it's almost like having 4 in terms of traveling.

Kristie · December 5th, 2005, 23:57

I suggest you stay with your own airline when traveling non-rev overseas... just because you'll have a better idea of what the loads are vs trying to fly on a codeshare or what not...

no way your skipping those NRSA charges whether you fly your airline or another - forget that idea... normal charges are taxes like $60 roundtrip depending on where your headed...

depending on where your staying, if you do a hostel or friends house, it can be a lot cheaper than if you get a hotel... doug and I will typically spend about $100/day + for hotel depending on time of year, events going on etc... and that's with an airline discount too...

some might be able to better tell about the hotels since we normally get a standard room and you can get a twin room for a lot cheaper!!

blee256 · December 6th, 2005, 00:09

try doing this, i did it last week. as far as trying to get days off. Last month (nov) I had the last 3 days of the month off. And for December I bid off the first 3 days of the month. So i had six days off in a row. good luck

Kristie · December 6th, 2005, 02:10

Excellent suggestion!!

mrivc211 · December 6th, 2005, 11:14

I just tried buying a revenue ticket on delta.com They advertised $330/person RT to Paris from JFK. I tried booking it for two people and it wanted to charge me $2100+. I can't seemed to find these way cheap tickets they advertise some times. I think they offer them to maybe 10% of the airplane, then the rest are regular fare. I guess they gotta make money to pay those overpaid rich piiilotts! :0- Just kidding guys. Just kidding. Ok so it was a low blow. You'll get over it. You know I love you. I'm refering to Kristie and Doug for those of you with any bright ideas. Hmhmhm Cough* max Cough*

Ophir · December 6th, 2005, 11:18

O, you're still trying to get that vacation in that you missed last year huh?

Kristie · December 6th, 2005, 11:22

When are you trying to go? Doug and I are going over there xmas weekend

YAY!!!! I hear paris is FABulous at xmas!

Doug Taylor · December 6th, 2005, 13:05

Those megalow fares that most airlines put in the big ads in the paper are a lot like the "Honda Accord LX, on sale now! $14,999 (1 avail. at this price)" because chances are, you're going to schlep down to the dealership to discover that it's already been sold and the salesmanship starts on getting you to buy another in-stock Accord at $25G's.

pavelump · December 6th, 2005, 13:53

I guess I meant more in line with jumpseating. I.e. free. I know that United will take unlimited jumpseaters in the US. Does that apply to international flights too?

JEP · December 6th, 2005, 14:45

as if we needed any proof the pricing is crazy:

Delta Air Lines Flight 16
6:15pm New York, NY (JFK)
7:45am - Wed, Dec 21 Next day arrival
Charles de Gaulle, France (CDG)
7hrs 30min - Nonstop

$727
per person

Air France Flight 8991 operated by DELTA AIR LINES INC
6:15pm New York, NY (JFK)
7:45am - Wed, Dec 21 Next day arrival
Charles de Gaulle, France (CDG)
7hrs 30min - Nonstop

$998
per person

I am guessing this is the identical plane. Let's see, I'll take the AirFrance flight. I love to psend more than I need.

pavelump · December 6th, 2005, 16:45

they probably seat you next to a french person...

Doug Taylor · December 6th, 2005, 19:24

Actually, Air France 'owns' several seats on the Delta jet and I think they even set their own pricing for those seats. So there may only be two AF seats left. Supply/Demand, et al.

Nothing too crazy about that when you start talking cost-plus to put a little extra scratch in Pierre's pockets.

FlyChicaga · December 6th, 2005, 21:35

In my own personal experience, I do all the "quick" trips in the US, and the long trips overseas when I have at least five or six days off. I've had three days off and gone lots of places in the US. When it starts getting up to five, I'll consider going to Europe. Two weeks? Australia. No doubt.

wheelsup · December 6th, 2005, 21:42

I've heard, but have yet to try, going to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. The captain who told me about the place says taxes are about $10 per person and there's a holiday inn with a crew rate for $80/night, with a free shuttle to the beach. Pretty cheap for a vacation. And knowing US Air, the flights will be WIDE open!

Since my "home away from home" is philly these days, I'm gonna have to JS on a mainline us air flight down there one day...

~wheelsup

pavelump · December 6th, 2005, 21:43

And this two weeks off comes when? haha

You're probably right though. I'm thinking about a day trip to Philly to see this

http://sln.fi.edu/bodyworlds/

It was in Chicago at the Museum of Science and Industry for the longest time and when I finally got around to going to see it, it was sold out. Looks pretty cool/gruesome.

FlyWhiteSox · December 6th, 2005, 22:08

Bodyworlds is intense. You leave the place feeling quite different about yourself.

Kristie · December 6th, 2005, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyChicaga

In my own personal experience, I do all the "quick" trips in the US, and the long trips overseas when I have at least five or six days off. I've had three days off and gone lots of places in the US. When it starts getting up to five, I'll consider going to Europe. Two weeks? Australia. No doubt.

we've gotten really good at doing 4 day europe trips.. most you need in any one major city is 2-3 days anything after that gets boring and after a while, your constantly searching for the challenge. but that's just how we do it since i have a day job and can only take friday's & monday's off without it harming my 40 hr work week.

joel_MQY · December 7th, 2005, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavelump

And this two weeks off comes when? haha

You're probably right though. I'm thinking about a day trip to Philly to see this

http://sln.fi.edu/bodyworlds/

It was in Chicago at the Museum of Science and Industry for the longest time and when I finally got around to going to see it, it was sold out. Looks pretty cool/gruesome.

That looks awesome - I never heard about it here in Chicago! I have always wanted to see Philly, anyways.

fly22 · December 7th, 2005, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyChicaga

In my own personal experience, I do all the "quick" trips in the US, and the long trips overseas when I have at least five or six days off. I've had three days off and gone lots of places in the US. When it starts getting up to five, I'll consider going to Europe. Two weeks? Australia. No doubt.

I love it down there.

FlyChicaga · December 7th, 2005, 15:57

You don't say.

fly22 · December 7th, 2005, 17:04

oh but I do. And with my hot ass sister in law being in town for the holidays wehehewwwww. Did I just say that?

I Better be careful I know my wife has been lurking a little on here now.

FlyChicaga · December 7th, 2005, 18:30

You tease!

December 5th, 2005, 23:44	#1
pavelump Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 790	Quickie Non-Rev Trips Now that I've made it to the big time here at American Eagle (haha, just kidding) I have all these great travel benefits. Unfortunately though, not only do I have no time to adequately use this benefit, but I don't even really have any $$$ to do much once I get there... Regardless, I thought that it might be fun to take a quick trip to Europe just for #####s. Something in the neighborhood of a trip to Ireland to get a Guinness and kiss the Blarney stone and come back the next day... Anybody got any good experiences doing this? How about traveling on carriers other than your own, i.e. to avoid NRSA charges. What sort of charges/taxes do you have to pay to the country to enter/leave? I usually only have 3 days off in a row, but if I get ready reserve on my last day, it's almost like having 4 in terms of traveling.

December 5th, 2005, 23:57	#2
Kristie Big Chief's Woman Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 18,762 Blog Entries: 3	I suggest you stay with your own airline when traveling non-rev overseas... just because you'll have a better idea of what the loads are vs trying to fly on a codeshare or what not... no way your skipping those NRSA charges whether you fly your airline or another - forget that idea... normal charges are taxes like $60 roundtrip depending on where your headed... depending on where your staying, if you do a hostel or friends house, it can be a lot cheaper than if you get a hotel... doug and I will typically spend about $100/day + for hotel depending on time of year, events going on etc... and that's with an airline discount too... some might be able to better tell about the hotels since we normally get a standard room and you can get a twin room for a lot cheaper!! __________________ Wife of a Delta B767 ER F/O jetgirls.net

December 6th, 2005, 00:09	#3
blee256 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: lower canada Posts: 1,649	try doing this, i did it last week. as far as trying to get days off. Last month (nov) I had the last 3 days of the month off. And for December I bid off the first 3 days of the month. So i had six days off in a row. good luck __________________ According to a report by Goldman Sachs economists, "the most important contributor to higher profit margins over the past five years has been a decline in labor's share of national income."

December 6th, 2005, 02:10	#4
Kristie Big Chief's Woman Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 18,762 Blog Entries: 3	Excellent suggestion!! __________________ Wife of a Delta B767 ER F/O jetgirls.net

December 6th, 2005, 11:18	#6
Ophir Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: was Ophir, CO, now in SLC! Posts: 1,481	O, you're still trying to get that vacation in that you missed last year huh? __________________ Get in shape on your overnights: http://www.fitnessanywhere.com/Merch...27&AFFIL=Ophir

December 6th, 2005, 11:14	#5
mrivc211 Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,052	I just tried buying a revenue ticket on delta.com They advertised $330/person RT to Paris from JFK. I tried booking it for two people and it wanted to charge me $2100+. I can't seemed to find these way cheap tickets they advertise some times. I think they offer them to maybe 10% of the airplane, then the rest are regular fare. I guess they gotta make money to pay those overpaid rich piiilotts! :0- Just kidding guys. Just kidding. Ok so it was a low blow. You'll get over it. You know I love you. I'm refering to Kristie and Doug for those of you with any bright ideas. Hmhmhm Cough* max Cough*

December 6th, 2005, 11:22	#7
Kristie Big Chief's Woman Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 18,762 Blog Entries: 3	When are you trying to go? Doug and I are going over there xmas weekend YAY!!!! I hear paris is FABulous at xmas! __________________ Wife of a Delta B767 ER F/O jetgirls.net

December 6th, 2005, 13:05	#8
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,217 Blog Entries: 1	Those megalow fares that most airlines put in the big ads in the paper are a lot like the "Honda Accord LX, on sale now! $14,999 (1 avail. at this price)" because chances are, you're going to schlep down to the dealership to discover that it's already been sold and the salesmanship starts on getting you to buy another in-stock Accord at $25G's. __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

December 6th, 2005, 13:53	#9
pavelump Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 790	I guess I meant more in line with jumpseating. I.e. free. I know that United will take unlimited jumpseaters in the US. Does that apply to international flights too?

December 6th, 2005, 14:45	#10
JEP Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN (KFCM) (KMSP) Posts: 10,892 Blog Entries: 1	as if we needed any proof the pricing is crazy: Delta Air Lines Flight 16 6:15pm New York, NY (JFK) 7:45am - Wed, Dec 21 Next day arrival Charles de Gaulle, France (CDG) 7hrs 30min - Nonstop $727 per person Air France Flight 8991 operated by DELTA AIR LINES INC 6:15pm New York, NY (JFK) 7:45am - Wed, Dec 21 Next day arrival Charles de Gaulle, France (CDG) 7hrs 30min - Nonstop $998 per person I am guessing this is the identical plane. Let's see, I'll take the AirFrance flight. I love to psend more than I need. __________________ NJC or Bust.....CountDown Timer

December 6th, 2005, 16:45	#11
pavelump Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 790	they probably seat you next to a french person...

December 6th, 2005, 19:24	#12
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,217 Blog Entries: 1	Actually, Air France 'owns' several seats on the Delta jet and I think they even set their own pricing for those seats. So there may only be two AF seats left. Supply/Demand, et al. Nothing too crazy about that when you start talking cost-plus to put a little extra scratch in Pierre's pockets. __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

December 6th, 2005, 21:35	#13
FlyChicaga Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,833	In my own personal experience, I do all the "quick" trips in the US, and the long trips overseas when I have at least five or six days off. I've had three days off and gone lots of places in the US. When it starts getting up to five, I'll consider going to Europe. Two weeks? Australia. No doubt. __________________ "Anyone can do the job when things are going right. In this business we play for keeps." Ernest K. Gann

December 6th, 2005, 21:42	#14
wheelsup Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: _ Posts: 5,498	I've heard, but have yet to try, going to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. The captain who told me about the place says taxes are about $10 per person and there's a holiday inn with a crew rate for $80/night, with a free shuttle to the beach. Pretty cheap for a vacation. And knowing US Air, the flights will be WIDE open! Since my "home away from home" is philly these days, I'm gonna have to JS on a mainline us air flight down there one day... ~wheelsup

December 6th, 2005, 21:43	#15
pavelump Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 790	And this two weeks off comes when? haha You're probably right though. I'm thinking about a day trip to Philly to see this http://sln.fi.edu/bodyworlds/ It was in Chicago at the Museum of Science and Industry for the longest time and when I finally got around to going to see it, it was sold out. Looks pretty cool/gruesome.

December 6th, 2005, 22:08	#16
FlyWhiteSox Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: La Grange, IL (1C5) and Champaign, IL (KCMI) Posts: 396	Bodyworlds is intense. You leave the place feeling quite different about yourself. __________________ "Pain is simply the appetizer to the Great Meal that is suffering, death is the dessert." --Mark Stoffer

December 7th, 2005, 15:57	#20
FlyChicaga Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,833	You don't say. __________________ "Anyone can do the job when things are going right. In this business we play for keeps." Ernest K. Gann

December 7th, 2005, 17:04	#21
fly22 Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UT, SLC Posts: 1,572	oh but I do. And with my hot ass sister in law being in town for the holidays wehehewwwww. Did I just say that? I Better be careful I know my wife has been lurking a little on here now. __________________ Democrats- think you're too stupid to make your own financial decisions. Republicans- think you're too stupid to make your own personal decisions.

December 7th, 2005, 18:30	#22
FlyChicaga Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,833	You tease! __________________ "Anyone can do the job when things are going right. In this business we play for keeps." Ernest K. Gann

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode