AIRFARE frustrations: Advice welcome

[MentalVacation]

Okay, I'm pretty well versed in searching for the best/most competitive rates for airfare. I use kayak, plus I will run priceline and then I check a couple airlines that I know run specials on their own websites, or don't publish on other sites (SWA, Allegiant)...I know to check other area airports on both ends. I've played about three different scenarios on each end...so lots of combinations...

I am SERIOUSLY dying here. We are looking at 2K for four tickets. 2K+ luggage fees and parking and undoubtedly hotel due to craptastic departure times.

We are looking at Omaha as the most likely choice. I would drive to KC if I could save 600+ dollars! (Omaha is 90 minutes south).

Last year we flew to Tampa for 1200 for 4 tickets. This year, similar season (last year was mid Feb. this year first week of March -- unless I can't nail down some decent airfare, then we might wait until October).

 

[nefritz]

We're flying out of Omaha, cheapest was Delta for us, 1200$ for 6! I signed up for delta Amex, just for free baggage also. Keep trying I know it's a gamble but your still a ways out for getting the 8 and 6 wk prices. If you like to get your tickets well in advance, go with someone like southwest who credits you the difference when. They lower. From my extreme airfare watching, kc was always more than eppley. Not sure where exactly you are, but what about Des Moines, I heard they got added to someone's list? Sw? AirTran were 2nd cheapest, but horrible times. Frontier out of KC was lower, but in the end I didn't want to drive down.
My inlaws just flew out of eppley, they got a great deal at LaQuinta by airport to stay night before and parking.

 

[MentalVacation]

So you're telling me I need to just settle down and sit tight?

We are in Sioux City. (I hate that tickets from here are 700-750 and have terrible layovers/times)

I've priced KC and DSM now. DSM would be about 1440 (currently) and KC is about 1300. I'm going to sit tight and just hope for the best. I've signed up for several airlines' FB pages to get their social media promotions. I am also watching Sioux Falls, as they are actually closer but not cheaper -- except Vegas. We got a great deal on Vegas.

I do like the LaQuinta also -- thanks for the reminder. I'm forever calling around at the last minute trying to remember where it is we wanted to stay b/c they offered the free parking.

I'd be happy if I could get it at 1200-1300. 2000 just hurts. Especially if I'm not getting something *great* (good arrival times or nonstop service?)

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

We will be flying out of Omaha in late January. We r flying southwest and got our tickets for 4 for $700!! Southwest had run an awesome special a few weeks ago. I had signed up for their email alerts from which I heard of this special. Good luck on your search!

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

We r from Sioux city as well! I hear you about the outrageous prices for our local airport!!

 

[Redarrow5150]

I honestly believe right now there's collusion going on with airlines. The ticket prices are just beyond outrageous right now and quite frankly with oil prices diving like they have over the last five weeks you would think airfare rates would be coming down but they are not. I've been trying to book a flight for my wife for over a month with her flying to MCO in mid Feb and the prices are still thru the roof.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There's no collusion.

Nobody gets this upset with any other business/industry when prices are set to cover costs and - who knows? - possibly even turn a profit. But when it comes to airlines, people come up with all kinds of wild theories and accusations. They rarely make money from leisure travel fares. Generally, we cost them money.

Great. Oil prices are down. Fuel prices don't drop as quickly (it took weeks before the oil barrel price drop showed up on the gas pumps). Planes can't just pull up to the nearest Shell station and fill the tank. Airlines have fuel contracts - that's why Southwest could offer cheaper tickets for so long, even when gas was this high a couple of years ago and everyone was adding fuel surcharges.

These sites are older, but they'll give some idea on the cost to the airline:
http://adg.stanford.edu/aa241/cost/cost.html
http://askville.amazon.com/cost-air...Los-Angeles/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=2593308

 

[Lewisc]

Collusion is illegal and isn't necessary. Mergers have greatly reduced the number of carriers. Some markets Southwest and Airtran competed for passengers looking to fly to MCO. Airlines have reduced their capacity, particularly to destinations which used to require money losing deeply discounted fares to fill the planes. Capacity is closer to the amount of seats necessary to accommodate passengers willing to pay a profitable fare. "Real" airlines no longer see the need to match fares offering by airlines like Spirit and Allegiant.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I honestly believe right now there's collusion going on with airlines. The ticket prices are just beyond outrageous right now and quite frankly with oil prices diving like they have over the last five weeks you would think airfare rates would be coming down but they are not. I've been trying to book a flight for my wife for over a month with her flying to MCO in mid Feb and the prices are still thru the roof.

You are right...

They have all decided that it would be good to make a profit! Of course on budget travel boards the view is that must be some sort of crime!


Airlines have finally started to wise up and the whining on boards like this is increasing. They can't continue to sell for below cost and expect to stay in business. SO they have cut capacity DRAMATICALLY, that means that they can sell those seats at profit and don't have to fire sale them just to bring in cash.

It sounds like the posters on this thread are all looking for school break weeks in Febuary.... that's tough. EVERYONE else wants to escape the cold and head to sunny Florida too and in a lot of cases they may have beat you to the punch. I know for example if you want President's Day week from the NE you are VERY late for the good fares.

 

[Disflyer]

Iwith oil prices diving like they have over the last five weeks

The price of oil has no correlation with the price of jet fuel. Jet-A has been trading at roughly $125 - $140 per barrel all year long, the increases and decreases in Jet are not following the same patterns as crude oil. I know it may seem logical that if crude falls jet fuel should fall too but they operate on completely different supply and demand curves. To see an impact in the price of the ticket you would need to see jet trading below $100 or even more likely below $90 per barrel.

 

[Greysword]

Okay, I'm pretty well versed in searching for the best/most competitive rates for airfare. I use kayak, plus I will run priceline and then I check a couple airlines that I know run specials on their own websites, or don't publish on other sites (SWA, Allegiant)...I know to check other area airports on both ends. I've played about three different scenarios on each end...so lots of combinations...

I am SERIOUSLY dying here. We are looking at 2K for four tickets. 2K+ luggage fees and parking and undoubtedly hotel due to craptastic departure times.

We are looking at Omaha as the most likely choice. I would drive to KC if I could save 600+ dollars! (Omaha is 90 minutes south).

Last year we flew to Tampa for 1200 for 4 tickets. This year, similar season (last year was mid Feb. this year first week of March -- unless I can't nail down some decent airfare, then we might wait until October).

<in best Gungan accent> You sir in deep doo doo, you sir need to be using the Matrix!

http://matrix.itasoftware.com

Depending on your flexibility...

Itinerary details

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Flights

Itinerary

Itinerary
Omaha (OMA) to Tampa (TPA) - Sun, Mar 3
Delta Omaha (OMA) to Atlanta (ATL) - Sun, Mar 3
Delta 844 Dep: 4:50PM Arr: 8:16PM 2h 26m MD-80 Economy (L)

Layover in ATL 2h 39m

Delta Atlanta (ATL) to Tampa (TPA) - Sun, Mar 3
Delta 2233 Dep: 10:55PM Arr: 12:20AM 1h 25m Boeing 757 Economy (L)
Mon, Mar 4

Melbourne (MLB) to Omaha (OMA) - Mon, Mar 11
Delta Melbourne (MLB) to Atlanta (ATL) - Mon, Mar 11
Delta 2213 Dep: 3:10PM Arr: 4:50PM 1h 40m Boeing 757 Economy (U)
Layover in ATL 0h 45m

Delta Atlanta (ATL) to Omaha (OMA) - Mon, Mar 11
Delta 1098 Dep: 5:35PM Arr: 7:05PM 2h 30m MD-90 Economy (U)


Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) $338.70
Total cost for 4 passengers $1,354.80


How to buy this ticket
Tickets cannot be purchased directly from ITA Software.
Provide this information to a travel agent to help them match the fares found.
Make sure to provide the exact booking and fare codes shown.
Fare 1: Carrier DL LD01A0NA OMA to TPA (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code L
Covers OMA-ATL (Economy), ATL-TPA (Economy)
$168.37
Fare 2: Carrier DL UA07A0NQ MLB to OMA (rules)
Passenger type ADT, one-way fare, booking code U
Covers MLB-ATL (Economy), ATL-OMA (Economy)
$110.70
US Transportation Tax (US) $20.93
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $10.00
US Flight Segment Tax (ZP) $15.20
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $13.50

Subtotal per passenger $338.70
Number of passengers x4

Total airfare & taxes $1,354.80

This ticket is non-refundable.
Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.

Fare construction (can be useful to travel agents)
OMA DL X/ATL DL TPA 168.37LD01A0NA /-MLB DL X/ATL DL OMA 110.70UA07A0NQ USD 279.07 END ZP OMA ATL MLB ATL XT 20.93US 15.20ZP 10.00AY 13.50XF ATL4.50 MLB4.50 ATL4.50

As nefritz said, there are ways to offset the baggage fees!

If you want low cost companion tickets and are willing to get a credit card to do it, US Airways credit card comes with a certificate that allows the purchase of two companion fares at $99+tax/fees each, which should offset the costs a bit (http://mostmiles.com/chairman) (pay no attention to the term "Chairman" as it reportedly works for everyone!), and the 40k signup miles should get you a fourth ticket on award miles (companion black out dates may apply http://www.usairways.com/en-US/dividendmiles/programdetails/blackoutdates.html but it doesn't seem for your time frame).

Lots of many options, so have fun and good luck!

 

[Rpsemont]

When are you flying? I have no experience with your departure markets (I fly out of Hartford) but for our 10/27-10/31 (just completed trip) I originally booked 8/10, then changed 8/15,9/26, 9/29,and 10/1) adjusting to fare differences and preferred flight times. Usually book SWA just because I can make all these changes!

We are going in Feb and I booked those 10/9 with a 40% off coupon (that was only good for very selelct dates and happened to work for us)

For our Dec 13-21 upcoming trip, I watched and watched as the fares climbed and climbed. I finally was worried they'd go higher and booked on 10/17, since then I've changed them 4 times as they've gone lower and lower and I've adjusted times to maximize savings. I missed one further opportunity to save $6 when I didn't have time when I saw the fare to make the changes, and looked at it the next day, that savings wasn't there.

I check at LEAST once a day!

Good luck!