Nov 2014 Airline travel US-Ukraine

[calmissile]

Learned a few things today that I thought I would pass on.....

Instead of the usual $1800 I usually pay for round trip LAX-Kiev, the current rates I was quoted from AAA are about $1050.

For some reason the airlines quoted are not flying every day, but have several flights on the days traveled.

Since the flight originates in Kiev rather than the US, the baggage rules are different (international rules).

1st bag = Free
2nd and additional bags are $100 each.

Prices are with no penalties.  Must be within parameters....
70 lbs each bag.
Max size of bag = 62 inches (H+W+L).

I can purchase medical travel insurance for wife and family while in the USA for $132 first 30 days, and about $120 per additional month.
Adults are $132, there is no charge for children.  I do not need to purchase tickets through AAA in order to buy the insurance.

A new one on me.......
By purchasing a round trip ticket with an open return date, you do not need to pay any of the usual fees for changing dates, ,change in fares, etc.

The kicker is that I have to purchase the tickets with an open return date directly from the airline and not AAA.  The airlines apparently code the open return tickets with a special coding that agencies cannot get.

One of the travel agents overheard our conversation and came over to offer her advice.  She said that on two occasions, she went out and purchased several large suitcases overseas, and packed them to the limit.  Even including the cost of the suitcases, it was much cheaper than shipping options.

Hope this is useful to someone.

[AkMike]

For flights to KBP from ANC the fare is up to $1300ish now. That's quite a change from the $950 that I had 12 years ago!
 But still it's much better than walking!  Not too bad for a round trip that's that same as around the world. ANC is half way around the world from KBP. We'll be there on 3 Dec. for a couple of months.

 Flights from the US are limited to 1 bag of 50# max. They changed that from 2 bags of 70# for free. 

[calmissile]

For flights to KBP from ANC the fare is up to $1300ish now. That's quite a change from the $950 that I had 12 years ago!
 But still it's much better than walking!  Not too bad for a round trip that's that same as around the world. ANC is half way around the world from KBP. We'll be there on 3 Dec. for a couple of months.

 Flights from the US are limited to 1 bag of 50# max. They changed that from 2 bags of 70# for free. 

Perhaps I was not clear enough in the description.  Flights originating in the US are limited to one free bag of 50 lbs.  Flights originating from 'international' departures go by a different international set of rules and they permit one free bag of 70 lbs.  At least that is what my very experienced travel agent at AAA told me.  Hope she is right.  Larissa is buying additional suitcases and I told her to pack them just under 70 lbs each.     

[LAman]

I don't quite understand why someone would still use travel agents or AAA in this age of technology unless you want to provide someone with some added income.

LAX-KBP from LA......I have never paid any more than $1350, even that was dead of summer 1 month before. Mostly I have open cities usually coming home from a 'more expensive' city in Ukraine ( not Kiev). Fact is I have a flight in Feb for $729 LA-Kiev and return Odesa-LA. Even now looking into flights next summer they are in $900 range LA-Kiev ( now at ~$1050) Funny how in reverse it is cheaper......KBP-LA

As far as I remember international flights have 1 bag free and second bag different prices for airlines, all were at 23kg. I had no idea that coming to USA had a 32kg weight limit. I think that should be verified first. Unless a first/business class ticket is used. Of course, I am NOT a very experienced travel agent.

I've never had an open return date, maybe that is why price is so high. Airlines I fly seem to fly everyday, it is the smaller airlines that don't fly everyday. BTW Doug, if UIA is one of airlines you mentioned, their weight limit is 23 kg but allows 2 pieces. Up to 32km is an addl 75 euros each piece. Be sure you know rules!!!!