With spaces still left on some of its "Summer Fling" packages, Virgin Vacations has reduced the price by $130 for travel through August 31 of this year, but you must make your purchase no later than August 23 at 8 pm EST.
If you book by then you can travel to London and spend six nights there for just $879 out of either Newark, New York or Boston. Travel must be completed by August 31. Add $20 more for Miami, Orlando or Washington, D.C. departures, even more for other markets.
The sale began at Wednesday morning July 24, 2002, so you have a little less than a month to get your act together, and another week after the deadline to finish your trip. The trip includes the roundtrip economy class airfare to London, roundtrip London airport transfers to the city center via the Heathrow or Gatwick Express, six nights at the hotel, breakfast daily, and hotel taxes and service charges.
Passengers will also receive Virgin "Extras," which include the company's London City Guide & Map, discount dining coupons featuring the Maxwell Restaurant Group, and five extra wine tastings at Vinopolis, ("The City of Wine Experience").
The prices are per person, based on double occupancy. You can upgrade to Premium Economy, Virgin's "enhanced economy class," from only $499 round-trip, though I was not overly impressed with the difference when I tried this two years ago. Upgrades to Upper Class (their equivalent of first class), start from $1,999.
The fares quoted do not include government-imposed departure and security fees of about $99, including the September 11 Security Fee of $2.50 per segment. Weekend surcharges apply for Friday, Saturday and Sunday travel. This is a non-refundable, non-changeable purchase.
Virgin Atlantic serves London from nine North American gateways: New York's JFK, Newark, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco, Washington's Dulles, Miami, Boston and Las Vegas.
For reservations and inquiries, call Virgin Atlantic Vacations at 888/YES VIRGIN (same as 888/937-8474) Their Web site is www.virgin-vacations.com/LONFLSY.ASP.
