Air Vets - Did I get a good rate?

[javamom]

I am a real novice when it comes to air travel. I have only ever booked one other flight than this one... and that one was pre-911 through Priceline. At any rate, here is my thinking:

We wanted to travel from Monday to Monday and we wanted to fly non-stop service.

We decided that this would necessitate flying out of a different airport because our local carrier only has non-stop flights on Saturdays.

When pricing I found that even if I flew out of my airport on Saturday, it would cost me more than the flight I did book. It was also more expensive to book a Monday to Monday flight from my city to MCO with 1 layover.


Summary: all around just cheaper.
Downside: several hour drive to the airport and then back again when we return home.

All of this to setup my basis for booking this flight. I got 5 roundtrip tickets from Kansas City to Orlando for $985.50 taxes and all included. And I was able to pick my seat assignments (which was a big thing to me traveling with 2 under 10).

Personally, I was thrilled that it came in under 1K at all, but then again, I am a flight novice. I considered waiting to see if the price would go up and down a bit, but I noticed that there were already a dozen seats already taken on the flights in question, so I went ahead and booked it.

What do you think, not that I can do anything about it now...lol?!



OM dear Lord, I just found a bunch of posts about Delta... oh I cannot believe this. Here's to me praying that my flights aren't mangled.
/e bangs head on computer monitor repeatedly!!!

 

[canwegosoon]

JavaMom...some of those seats taken are probably for Frequent Flyers(and usually there is a cap on the number of tickets that can be released). I know many that book at 330 days out since that is when you are able to. I checked currently you have the best airfare. It sounds like you don't want to do SWA...so what I would do is check over the policy of each airline to get a refund or rebook tickets at a cheaper price(ans book with the most liberal one). If you have an entertainment book don't forget about the coupons there. I usually notice flights qualifying for coupons are at holiday times. Also sign up for fare watcher on Orbitz and they will notify you of price changes or when it reaches your target fare(I book through the airline website though). Personally I think 5 tickets for 900+ is great, but perhaps someone who flies out of your airport can help you.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I think you did fine. I am in the same boat---5 people in the family. I don't want to take a chance on not seating together and can't use "dings" due to work restrictions. The best I"m getting right now is about the same you are--$197 a piece, nonstop. It's also cheaper than flying on a one-stop flight at any time out of our home airport. Check the city you are flying out of for hotels that have packages where you can park at the hotel for the duration of your trip and take the shuttle to the airport (which we are doing out of Detroit).
Robin M.

 

[javamom]

Check the city you are flying out of for hotels that have packages where you can park at the hotel for the duration of your trip and take the shuttle to the airport (which we are doing out of Detroit).
Robin M.

Ooh that is an idea... have to check that out, otherwise it is long-term parking at the airport. I think I checked on that already?