Come out, come out of Lurk-dom!

[Montanabel]

Hi Zosha, totally understand your dilemma! My husband will only fly internationally with Qantas so their prices are the driving force for when we buy. Usually we do purchase our International/US Domestic flights all on the one ticket. But this year we have done things a little different and purchased our international flights separate from US domestic. Yes we will have to pay for luggage at the airports but even with those costs, I was very happy with the total flight price we paid.

Our last two trips to the USA had all our flights on the one ticket but the US airlines seem to have difficulties in recognising this. At each US airport the airline check in staff would insistence on us paying for our luggage, I would insistence we were on an interntaional ticket so didn't need to, in the end I would ask to speak to a supervisor who would finally check our luggage (at no cost) but it was a pain to have to go through the process everytime. We even tried the self-service kiosks but they would nor provide us with a boarding pass and direct us to the check in desk (sigh).

This time with us having to check in and pay for luggage before each US domestic flight like 'everyone else', I am hoping the experience will be less painful.

As for Travel Expos, I usually pop along to these each year, whilst I have never bought anything there, they do have flight specials. The dates can be a bit restrictive (the dates I have seen are for periods well inside school terms) but you never know, this year might be different?

 

[zanzibar138]

Oh that's annoying! Not really sure what to suggest there (we don't really have this problem because we've usually had status with AA when we go to the US and get our luggage for free anyway). I guess I would do some sums. Figure out what the general going rate is for the flights you want, all on one ticket (without specials). Then figure how much it would be for these special flights you're looking at, plus your US flights individually including whatever luggage fees you would be likely to pay. Don't know how easy it will be to figure out all that though lol!

 

[Zosha]

Oooh ooh ooh, my parter has One World Ruby which gives one free checked bag! That's $25USD less LOL I guess baggage aside (there would only be 3 bags between the 4 of us on the way over, and 4 on the way back), the only leg that really worries me is the MCO-LAX leg. The flight back to Aus leaves at 2230. What sort of time buffer should I leave for transferring between domestic to intl terminal? If our flight landed at 4pm that would be adequate wouldn't it? Also, has anybody flown SouthWest before? I was thinking of looking into them for the flight from Phoenix to MCO.

Zanzibar, I think the maths might get a bit beyond me LOL I know my limits!
Montanabel, the restrictive dates are a no-go for me too. I was thinking there would be a catch with travel expo cheap fares...
I think I'm talking myself into grabbing the flights because I would be cranky now if the prices went up and I had to pay more, and just book the internal legs separately...

 

[Zosha]

Also in case anyones wondering, this is what our trip is looking like so far.

Depart Aust 6/12.
Briefly explore LA on the 7th, 8th. (accom not booked yet - maybe Loew's Hollywood??)
Disneyland and DCA on the 9th and 10th. Staying at Hyatt Place (Booked)
Hire car and drive to Las Vegas 11th, 12th, 13th. (accom not booked - maybe Venetian?)
Drive to Grand Canyon. 14th and 15th. Staying at Tusayan. (Staying at Red Feather Lodge - booked)
Drive GC to Phoenix and fly to Orlando on the 16th.
WDW 16th to 31st. Staying at Port Orleans Riverside 16th to 26th, AS Sports 26th-31st).
Fly home MCO, LAX, Melb 31st. (feel sad, depressed, and start planning next trip LOL)

 

[Montanabel]

Thanks Zanzibar, I kind of did part of what you suggested. Once I has a price I was happy for the international and domestic fights, I just researched how much the airlines I was thinking of flying with charges for luggage and included that in my 'total flight cost budget'. The total cost came underneath my budget so I was happy camper and booked away.

Zosha, I haven't flown with Southwest, so sorry can't comment. If your flight from MCO has you arriving at LAX at 4pm, I think that will be plenty of time. We always end our trips in Disneyland and get a shuttle to LAX arriving at the airport around 6pm and that is always plenty of time for our 10.30pm flight back to Australia.

Your itinerary looks great! We are also spending some time in LA, Vegas, Disneyworld and Disneyland. At Disneyworld I currently have Caribbean Beach Resort booked, but I am thinking of changing it to a split stay maybe Caribbean in the first week and then either AS Music (family suite) or Art of Animation (Cars suite) for the second week. Just working out the costs...............

 

[zanzibar138]

I think I would get the cheap fares you're eyeing off. My status actually covered checked luggage for DH too (I was platinum with AA though, not sure what the deal is with ruby). I'd be happy enough with landing in LAX at 4pm. I usually like to leave 5 hours for a domestic/international transfer.

As for Southwest, we flew them once and didn't like it at all! We weren't prepared for the no assigned seating thing though. If it's important for you to all sit together, I'd recommend buying the upgrade to get into one of the first groups to board. Be there waiting at the boarding gate, and be prepared for the crush as soon as your group is called. Once we were on board, it wasn't too bad, but the boarding process was enough to put us off flying with them again.

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

Also in case anyones wondering, this is what our trip is looking like so far.

Depart Aust 6/12.
Briefly explore LA on the 7th, 8th. (accom not booked yet - maybe Loew's Hollywood??)
Disneyland and DCA on the 9th and 10th. Staying at Hyatt Place (Booked)
Hire car and drive to Las Vegas 11th, 12th, 13th. (accom not booked - maybe Venetian?)
Drive to Grand Canyon. 14th and 15th. Staying at Tusayan. (Staying at Red Feather Lodge - booked)
Drive GC to Phoenix and fly to Orlando on the 16th.
WDW 16th to 31st. Staying at Port Orleans Riverside 16th to 26th, AS Sports 26th-31st).
Fly home MCO, LAX, Melb 31st. (feel sad, depressed, and start planning next trip LOL)

For what it's worth we have flown Southwest exclusively in the US domestically since 1997 and have never ever had one single problem or issue with them. Seating has never been an issue for the 3 of us and with them being the last remaining US airline to allow 2 free bags per person it's a no-brainer.

But everyone's different!

 

[zanzibar138]

For what it's worth we have flown Southwest exclusively in the US domestically since 1997 and have never ever had one single problem or issue with them. Seating has never been an issue for the 3 of us and with them being the last remaining US airline to allow 2 free bags per person it's a no-brainer.

But everyone's different!

Yep, Southwest certainly has a large (and loyal) following on the US side of these boards too. Clearly we missed something lol! Or maybe we had a particularly pushy group of people board our plane, or perhaps just a large percentage of solo travellers who took the window and aisle seats on nearly every row, only leaving the middle seat between them. There were definitely families split up. On most of our trips, we've had free luggage anyway (with AA status), so that hasn't been an issue. I can certainly see the appeal if you would otherwise have to pay for half a dozen suitcases!

 

[aussie shaz]

Not sure how solid your booking is for Grand Canyon, but you should seriously think about staying within the park. It's just such a special feeling.
Although we were there in summer and you'll be there in winter. It was amazing looking out our window across the canyon, and to see the deer wandering just on our front lawn.

 

[Zosha]

I've booked!!! Woohoo!! I did pay a little extra and book main cabin extra on the way over. Those B777 seats are so squashy on long haul. Qantas A380 on the way back so won't be a problem.
It literally went down to the wire with my booking. I was going to Bpay and when I went to make the transfer it exceeded my daily limit and my bank obviously wasn't open!! I ended up ringing Qantas and they were saying that I would have to rebook the flights as they couldn't change the payment method - she had a look and the flights had already gone up $80/pp. anyway after a bit of faffing around she was able to accept my credit card payment. I had my heart in my mouth lol

Thanks for the tips on southwest. I'll have a look around. I hate pushing and shoving!!

I have locked in GC already Shaz. It has just boiled down to picking nice accom in some places and perhaps not as nice in others unfortunately.

 

[Montanabel]

Yay for booking flights!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congrats on booking, Zosha.

I like SWA for their 2 free checked bag policy. My only advise is that I would recommend you pay for early boarding privileges. I normally pay for the early boarding because DS was too young to sit by himself.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yep, Southwest certainly has a large (and loyal) following on the US side of these boards too. Clearly we missed something lol! Or maybe we had a particularly pushy group of people board our plane, or perhaps just a large percentage of solo travellers who took the window and aisle seats on nearly every row, only leaving the middle seat between them. There were definitely families split up. On most of our trips, we've had free luggage anyway (with AA status), so that hasn't been an issue. I can certainly see the appeal if you would otherwise have to pay for half a dozen suitcases!

Welcome to cattle class.

 

[zanzibar138]

Welcome to cattle class.

Lol! Actually, when we flew with Southwest was before we started flying business, so you can't even blame that

 

[Zosha]

I have just been combing through the Aust trip reports for inspiration on what to do when in LA...and it struck me...@PrincessinOZ - aren't you due to go back soon?! It's been awhile since you've produced a US trip report

 

[Aussie Wendy]

I'm a south west fan. Flown several times, love free bags and fun attitude of staff. Yes you are called in groups but we book early so got into early groups I guess and no trouble getting a seat together ant time. Each group boards sequentially. Last group might have had more issues finding carry on space though on a full flight. Haven't experienced pushing Zanzibar did. We didnt care about separation for short flight but if you can pay for priority with kids worth considering. We found people moved to accommodate eg family group of 3. We flew washington to phoenix with them in 2011 but cant remember how busy it was. Also mco to alberqueque in 2014, that was a half empty early am flight..

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Zosha I can recommend the Page museum in LA subject to the age of the kids (I forget sorry, 8 or so up would enjoy I would think- my 19yo loved it) and Garden Grove shopping centre (outdoor style) next to the Farmers Market. All 3 in same area.

 

[Zosha]

I am just reading one of your reports Wendy! I looked at the Orchid Suites on TA. Have you stayed there again since that initial stay? I'm considering that vs Loews Hollywood. And thanks for the museum tips. The kids will be 14 and 12 so old enough to enjoy museums.

 

[Brisbanemum]

Finally managed to put up a post here without getting distracted reading all the boards For those you you who don't know us yet, our travelling party will consist of myself, dh, ds10 and ds13. I am the crazy, obsessive holiday planner of the family who may need to get the laptop surgically removed from my fingers once all the bookings are finally completed

We are about to book our next Disney trip for this coming Nov/Dec/Jan (dates not set in stone yet) and we are serious Disney addicts! We even have a Mickey/Disney room downstairs!!!

Our last vacation to the States was in Nov/Dec 2014. We skipped DL that trip (we had been on the 2 previous trips before that) but had 2 split stays at Disneyworld, went on a 7 night cruise on the Disney Magic, 4 nights in the Despicable Me Suite at Portofino Bay at Universal, and 5 nights at a hotel just off iDrive.

For this next trip, we are looking at a few days at Disneyland, 10 nights at WDW (Pop Century), 5 nights at Hard Rock Universal Studios and then back to Disneyworld for another 2 week stay We were considering adding another Disney cruise in the mix, but with the very sad exchange rate, it might be too much

Now comes the fun of stalking the sites for flight deals and impatiently waiting for Disney to release their end of year specials, hopefully with free dining?!?!

 

[FireflyFi]

I can't even say I've been lurking, I haven't loaded this site in so long, it's sad I miss my Disney peeps hehe

My two US trips of 2015 are behind me now, time to start looking forward. Back to Japan! Started to think about it the other day and its been a couple of years since I was last there, but yet... I don't think there's anything new. Not that a lack of new things would stop me! Just seems odd.