Airfare to Chicago - I need help!

[Trinity721]

It has been a whole year since DH, DD and I have been home to Chicago. We want to go back for New Year's and thought we'd look at airfare now. For a non-refundable ticket roundtrip, it's pretty reasonable - $190 on Orbitz. The problem is, we will not be sure of DH's exact vacation dates until about 1-2 mos before Christmas (thanks to the Navy). DD and I can buy our non-refundable tickets now, but to get DH a refundable ticket would cost at least $500 by itself!!! Should I just wait to buy his ticket and get ours? Or buy him a non-ref. ticket and risk that I might have to change it? I would like as much as possible to avoid paying $500 for one ticket. I am dying to go home, but I still have to think about Christmas presents and want to have enough money to enjoy our stay. Am I looking too early?

I don't do a lot of traveling, so any advice from airfare experts would be wonderful!!!

 

[simba928]

I don't know if Southwest is in your airport, but I would try them. They have fairly cheap airfares and if I recall correctly, their tickets are refundable. I could be wrong about the tickets though.

 

[Trinity721]

Thanks Simba! I did check Southwest. They offer refundable fares, which are their most expensive option. A refundable ticket is $238, and that's just one way. It's the same amt on the return so that's almost $500. A little bit cheaper, but still close and still hurts the pocketbook! Oh boy. I forgot how stressful it can be to buy a plane ticket!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Jenny, coming to Chicago!!!!


I would do the research, probably buying a nonrefundable now. To change it, max would be $100, so like $300 total, not the $500. Ask on the Transporation board who has the best (lowest) rescheduling charges from Jacksonville to Chicago. That board moves pretty quickly too, lots of good folks there.

Chicago!!!

 

[Trinity721]

Thanks Dan! I'll try the T board.