Airfare Group Discounts

[riatees]

Hi! I posted earlier about possibly renting a van and driving to DW this summer. There will be 10, possibly 12 of us. Someone commented about getting discounted airfare since there was a group of us. I have never heard of air lines giving out group discounts. Has anyone had any experience with this, and if so, what airlines? This could make our decision for us about whether we drive or fly. Thanks again in advance!!

Maria

 

[donkeyandshrek]

Yes. They offer discounts for groups, usually 8 or more. Each airline offers different discounts

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You should be able to find the phone number for group reservations on your airline's website. For example:

http://www.southwest.com/html/air/business-groups/group-travel.html

 

[auger]

Make sure you check pricing on your own as well as checking for group rates. Last year when I had to book for a group, the prices I was quoted by each airline were more expensive than I could book on my own. There were a few advantages to the group booking, such as being able to wait until very late to give the names of the people in the group. That makes it so that if someone backs out, someone else can step in and take their place. We didn't have a worry about that happening, so we chose to book on our own and save money.

 

[riatees]

Thanks for the info!! I will definitely have to start making some phone calls tomorrow!

 

[PlutoPony]

In my somewhat limited experience, the price you are quoted for a group rate will be higher than you can book on your own for a small number of people (like maybe 3-4). But it will be cheaper than you could most likely book on your own for the full group given that there are only a limited number of seats offered at the lowest fare. It would be a huge surprise if on your own you could book 1 person for the same fare as 10.....

 

[auger]

In my somewhat limited experience, the price you are quoted for a group rate will be higher than you can book on your own for a small number of people (like maybe 3-4). But it will be cheaper than you could most likely book on your own for the full group given that there are only a limited number of seats offered at the lowest fare. It would be a huge surprise if on your own you could book 1 person for the same fare as 10.....

I booked for 13 people last year, and not one airline gave me a better price than I found on my own through their sites.
I had to book in two batches, but that was not an issue.