Air fare-- how to save and what airlines to avoid?

[Krischaser]

Hello-- any tips to save on air fare and which airlines are ok and which to avoid. Flying out of Detroit or Flint and close to Spring Break. I know.....

 

[NYCgrrl]

The best way to save longer term is to accumulate points. Sites like https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/business-pm/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BRD1-Other-points guy-776836414491&utm_term=points guy&utm_cmpid=19788135328&utm_adgid=147184127176&utm_tgtid=kwd-34387825392&utm_mt=p&utm_adid=776836414491&utm_dvc=c&utm_ntwk=g&utm_adpos=&utm_plcmnt=&utm_locphysid=9004169&utm_locintid=&utm_feeditemid=&utm_devicemdl=&utm_plcmnttgt=&utm_misc=&utm_ltpcid=Cj0KCQiA-NHLBhDSARIsAIhe9X04IsSqyTVvnkn164zKpbuQBD2tY9voeYWlg8H2U7S5TeyJGIac8ykaAvjDEALw_wcB&utm_paid=-pm&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19788135328&gbraid=0AAAAADKlpfrcIXgt5sSU3sDFgr3LPJCZ0&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-NHLBhDSARIsAIhe9X04IsSqyTVvnkn164zKpbuQBD2tY9voeYWlg8H2U7S5TeyJGIac8ykaAvjDEALw_wcB
can be of use. Some of these sites will also clue you in to sales. Don’t forget to check “google flights” too.

If you value comfort and reliability over money, don’t fly Frontier. Don’t know if they fly out of Detroit so just a heads up.

 

[HollowxBastion]

Airline reward programs, credit cards that have good perks and get you rewards (like Aeroplan) + book separate tickets instead of round-trip.

Since I'm Canadian, i usually fly with Air Canada or Porter airlines, For airlines in the USA, I've only ever flown American Airlines and Frontier. I've heard tons of good things about Southwest & Delta from American friends though.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

We fly out of Flint- FNT using Allegiant Airline. Not really comfortable seat but doable. Flight to Sanford is non-stop, low cost. Then we use Lyft to get to WDW.

Going out of Detroit-DTW is stressful (road work, traggic,parking, overnight hotel stay, flight changes).

But Add up what you would spend on parking, travel time to airport and cost for tickets, then figure out what works for you.

 

[Herding_Cats]

We fly out of Flint- FNT using Allegiant Airline. Not really comfortable seat but doable. Flight to Sanford is non-stop, low cost. Then we use Lyft to get to WDW.

Going out of Detroit-DTW is stressful (road work, traggic,parking, overnight hotel stay, flight changes).

But Add up what you would spend on parking, travel time to airport and cost for tickets, then figure out what works for you.

I live further north, and all of these things we factor in when considering the drive to detroit for flights, so we usually end up flying out of TVC or GRR instead.

Depending on if you have small kids, how much "wiggle room" you need for travel time, don't overlook flying into something like PIE (St Pete/Clearwater), RSW (Ft Myers) or PGD (Punta Gorda) and then driving over to Orlando. It's about a 2hr drive, but we saved a LOT of money doing that last year.

Absolutely make sure you're familiar with luggage costs AND weight limits (Frontier is cheap if all you're doing is bringing a backpack, but fees add up quickly when you start including carryon or checked baggage costs.)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I have found that flexibility is key. If you can fly midweek or arrive on a Saturday night, those are usually less money.
The more rigid your dates and times are, the more you’ll pay.

 

[ExcitedForWDW]

Airline reward programs, credit cards that have good perks and get you rewards (like Aeroplan) + book separate tickets instead of round-trip.

Since I'm Canadian, i usually fly with Air Canada or Porter airlines, For airlines in the USA, I've only ever flown American Airlines and Frontier. I've heard tons of good things about Southwest & Delta from American friends though.

This right here. Look for credit cards with welcome rewards such as aeroplan points. Get a credit card that gives you travel perks such as free checked baggage and reward points. Book far in advance and travel on weekdays at unpopular times. We usually pay for our disneybtrip flights out of Canada on points alone, plus the taxes.
Round trip always gave us the best value however

 

[Miffy]

Avoid using an airline that flies your route only once or twice a week because if your flight gets canceled, they don't have another plane to put you on.

Use Google Flights to track your desired route and get alerted when the price changes.

Book directly through the airline, whichever airline you choose, and not through an intermediary like Expedia.

Realize when you see a quoted price that it may not include many fees, for example, for checked (or even carry-on) bags or seat selection.

Do not assume that your carry-on bag will meet your chosen airline's measurement criteria. Check their website and measure your luggage.

Read everything carefully before you book. You may be booking a nonrefundable fare and you'd want to know that ahead of time.

Check to see if the round-trip fare and two one-way fares cost the same. If so, book two one-way fares. This way, if something happens at one end of the trip, it's much easier to deal with a rebooking.

Some posters are suggesting not flying into MCO. Just realize that if you do that, your Uber/Lyft fare from and back to that airport might negate your cost savings.

Many airline credit cards have a yearly fee and other requirements. I have a JetBlue credit card. It's $99/year and I have to use it at least once a month. Also, I had to charge $1,000+ to it during the first maybe it was 3 months that I had it. It's worth it for me because I use JetBlue often enough that it pays for itself. Every airline credit card is not the same. This paragraph is just about my personal experience.

Decide what's more important to you--saving money or being comfortable.

While you're searching the internet, you're likely to see bad things about every airline. But, well, I would recommend not flying Frontier or Spirit (if Spirit is still in business).

 

[HollowxBastion]

This right here. Look for credit cards with welcome rewards such as aeroplan points. Get a credit card that gives you travel perks such as free checked baggage and reward points. Book far in advance and travel on weekdays at unpopular times. We usually pay for our disneybtrip flights out of Canada on points alone, plus the taxes.
Round trip always gave us the best value however

Aeroplan points are responsible for making my upcoming trip a reality. I had to book my tickets because my Aeroplan points couldn't cover the whole trip round trip though. I ended up booking via American Airlines, cause Air Canada return flight prices home to YUL were ridiculous, found something via flightgift (my aunt gave me a gift card for xmas) that wasn't at 6 am haha.

With my CIBC Aeroplan Visa, i get one free checked bag + travel insurance with Belair direct.

 

[mistysue]

Hello-- any tips to save on air fare and which airlines are ok and which to avoid. Flying out of Detroit or Flint and close to Spring Break. I know.....

I don't have a way to really bring it down, but I fly the same route as you and usually find that by the time we each have a checked bag and the carry on, Delta ends up being either a lower cost or the same as the "cheap" airlines - and the seats are significantly cushier, you get the better DTW terminal, plus there is seat back entertainment. There is definitely sticker shock when first looking, but I've tried to book a Spirit flight with half the listed price and ended up spending more to actually get there. If you don't pack much, the cheaper airlines work well but they really are less comfortable.

All of that can change if you get really into airline points, but we don't fly enough to give up the other rewards we get constantly for a couple flights/year.

 

[sam_gordon]

I have found that flexibility is key. If you can fly midweek or arrive on a Saturday night, those are usually less money.
The more rigid your dates and times are, the more you’ll pay.

This is the best bet to save money (unless you have CC points). Other things that could save money:

* Unpopular flight times (either early morning or late evening)
* Connections vs non-stops

I second PP who said use Google Flights. Put in your departing/arriving airports (can do multiples) and dates and it will show you all the airlines & prices.

BOOK THROUGH THE AIRLINE. Do not use a 3rd party (Travelocity, Priceline, etc).

As mentioned, know what you're buying. Is it "Basic Economy" (airline assigns your seat 24 hours from departure), Refundable or not? Include a carry on (to go in overhead)? What airport are you flying into (as mentioned, using Sanford will possibly increase your transportation cost).

Stalk the prices. Everyone wants the cheaper flight, but it's a gamble when you book. Learn what the change policies are (some have no change fees, but only for certain types of seats... Basic Economy may be no changes regardless).

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

OP you're getting great advice but one more thing, pay attention to the weight limit for bags for whichever airline you choose. Someone mentioned measuring your luggage but also weigh it. I used to prop mine up on our bathroom scale but then coming home I'd be guessing. After one incident of needing to open our bags at the airline counter to rearrange our stuff, mostly dirty laundry, with a restless 18 month old, I invested in a good luggage scale and that will never happen again. (Besides that the 18 month old is 25 now.)

 

[LuvOrlando]

You don't have much time but a JetBlue card will get you and your party a free first bag. We applied for the cards in October but of course, point accumulation dragged out past Christmas and I wanted to buy before Christmas so we couldn't use the points for this trip but we have oodles for whatever we do next.

Tuesday flights are generally cheapest, at least it seems that way to me. Also, prices seem to jump when you hit that month out mark so try to buy before that milestone. We have found that using the Jet Blue card for upgraded seats also gets us the free bags even if the original purchase was with another card.

Good Luck

 

[gottalovepluto]

You need this relatively quick so an airline cc is not the way to go. IF you even want a new credit card find whatever gets the highest bonus you can extract in cash or travel portal bookings. You are way too late to be playing a points game for spring break travel from Podunk, Nowhere. (I too fly from another Podunk, Nowhere, USA. It’s danged expensive.) Even cash and travel portal credits might be too late because you have to meet the spend and have the points post (often they don’t post until after some point when the statement you met the spend closes).

If this isn’t a cc travel hacking question… budget airlines are your cheapest options. But work your way through the whole trip- baggage costs, carry on costs, seat assignment costs. Keep in mind if there are alternative flights if something happens to yours (ie they only fly to MCO 2x/wk and your flight gets cancelled you would be Screwed). Maybe steer clear of Spirit as they are mid-bankruptcy.

The big airlines are practically all the same for an average traveler. American, United, Delta, Southwest, Jet Blue. Be wary of basic economy and make absolutely certain your understand that individual airline’s policies. Usually it’s no carry on, no seat choice, no changes but it varies a bit. Full price economy should get you seat choice, carry on and maybe a chance at a voucher good for one year if you need to change your flight (varies by airline).

Another vote to start with Google Flights. Best way to see all the options. Watch out for seperate tickets. You don’t want that since you aren’t protected on flight 2 if something happens to flight 1, it’s a specific thing you can filter for.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Specific caution regarding The Points Guy mentioned above. That’s a blog that has been sold to private equity. They are happy to shill any credit card that gives them an ok kick back no matter how bad the bonus is. If you’re getting a cc for its bonus check doctor of credit. They don’t shill affiliate links without blatantly saying so will give you an honest assessment if it’s a good bonus on the card or not.

 

[gottalovepluto]

On Aeroplan points- umm, no. Unless you’re extracting cash. You are not ready for that. Yep, the program has some sweet spots. But they’re absolute misery if you need to call them or anything goes wrong. It feels literally wrong to refer any unseasoned traveler to them lol. I would never play around with them for short notice domestic US travel.

 

[beccasmom]

We mostly fly American because our airport is one of its hubs and it usually wins with regard to schedule (and often enough on price). No airline is perfect, but we’ve really only had minor issues with them. We’ve had their credit card for a long time and save/use our miles for longer trips or upgrades (Orlando is a two-hour flight from our airport). And our bags fly free. Delta and United are not really viable options for Orlando flights (for either schedule or price) for us. But we recently used Delta for a flight to Detroit (hub) and United is our alternative to American on longer flights, depending on schedule and price.

We traveled with SWA for many years, not just to Orlando but to several west coast cities as well. The fares were very competitive for several years. But that is no longer the case at our airport at least for MCO. There are many fewer non-stop flights which were important to us when flying with my now-deceased mom and now with younger grandkids.

We pretty much avoid Frontier and Spirit (the latter is in and out of bankruptcy it seems). The “extra” fees really add up. And they seem to have more issues during inclement weather situations. However I know a fellow DVC member (they have a lot of points and travel to WDW frequently) who uses Frontier all the time and has had good luck with it. SWA is a bit of an outlier for us now, but not totally out of the running. I mostly like their new policies (not for luggage ) and enjoy flying with them.

 

[NickHumphrey]

Hello-- any tips to save on air fare and which airlines are ok and which to avoid. Flying out of Detroit or Flint and close to Spring Break. I know.....

I use Frontier and fly from Grand Rapids or Detroit

I have the Go Wild pass, so I can fly down there and back on average a little more then once a month.


I fly for $16 each way, I have the credit card so I get free checked bags and earned Platinum status with it so I can get free seat assignment and carryon bags for everyone on the flight.

My Family of 5 all have it, so we do a number of flights all together throughout the year.

It requires some flexability, sometimes the Grand Rapids flight is full on the booking window so I have to driver to Detroit or Chicago.

Go Wild members with the standard booking window can only book the day before.