ALberta Flight Help (Edmonton)

[chimo2u]

Hi again! Well, it is becoming more and more a reality now that we are under the year mark for our next trip back! I am so excited as just last week good family friends of ours have booked to join us for part or our trip (we are going Sept 1-12, 2009 and our friends are joining us Aug 30 - Sept 06) We are all booked to stay at the club level at Coronado Springs, so even though we are not staying AKL CL this time (trying to save some money) -- we are excited to try what sounds like an amazing moderate! Now all that's left to book is flights. I am not in the time frame for booking yet (end Aug/early Sept is up)... but we should be hitting the time frame within the next few weeks. For those who are savvy at flight booking, what would you recommend I do?

We have to buy 4 tkts from Edmonton (sadly, we are not near a U.S. city, like those lucky to live in Ontario, who can take advantage of booking specials with the US carriers). We want to get to WDW prior to 5pm. on the 01 of Sept to get checked in at a decent hour, and of course, we want to leave WDW around 4pm for a 6pm 'ish flight home to Edmonton from Orlando on The 12th of Sept. -- want to maximize those disney hours ) Do you have any advice on the best airline/schedule to fly with, also do you recommend buying ASAP after rates are released in the next few weeks, or perhaps waiting to book in January and hoping for some better rates, as it seems like rates are always highest when they first come out. --- Also if I book independently without the help of a TA, am I entitled to get ME, and how do I book it? Lots of questions, I know, but I know if anyone will have great advice and spot on answers, it will be my fellow Dis' ers! Thanks in advance for taking time to help!
Marie

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

You're right for those of us in Edmonton there is no way we're going to get the cheap fares for $99 that Southwest air has. However, saying that, we fly out of Edmonton on a US carrier for our trips to Florida and have been lucky to get some good prices on flights.

Because of DH's work schedule, we usually have to book a year in advance, but luckily are somewhat flexible with our travel dates which does allow us to take advantage of seat sales with the US carriers.

We've gone with NWA because their prices have historically been cheapest and their flight schedules are the best for us.

All of our flights with NWA have left Edmonton at 8:00 am, with one stop-over, which gets us into Orlando International around 5:30 pm. What you can do, is check the individual US carriers websites that fly out of Edmonton for flight schedules and prices. We find the US carriers are typically much cheaper than AC or WJ, plus flying on a US carrier you clear US customs here in Edmonton.

There are flights earlier than 8:00 am (some are 6 am) but those won't get you into Orlando until about 4:00 or 4:30 pm. I think WJ (and even AC) has a red-eye flight leaving at 1:00 am which would get you into Orlando around 2:00 pm that same day. Keep in mind that with WJ and AC, you may have to clear US customs at your last Canadian departure point - which means collecting all your luggage and going through security and US customs in that city rather than here in Edmonton which would mean you would need to leave yourself a couple hours between connecting flights.

If you find a good price on a flight, then book it. Truth is, the sooner you book your flight the better. There are only so many seats at a certain price and when those are gone, they're gone ... you most likely won't find those prices again.

You can also check the carrier website for their fare rules ... if you book your flight and find that the price has gone down later for that exact same flight, some carriers will give you a credit for the difference in fare minus a change fee. You might have to cancel your current flight, rebook on the same flight and then pay any change fees, so make sure that the price the flight has gone down is worth rebooking for.

 

[ABCanada]

Try kayak.com. You can enter in a variety of parameters to narrow your search.
Prices have increased significantly but may drop a bit with the lower fuel prices.
You cannot get a direct flight from Edmonton so a US carrier is the best. There are direct flights out of Calgary, they may be seasonal, if you are willing to drive to Calgary.
We flew for $350 all in a year ago from Edmonton but the lowest fares appear to be about $550 now.

You should be able to book ME through whatever method you used to book your room.

 

[Shelebeen]

We flew from Calgary this past August... and found that flying into Tampa saved us over $900... even with renting a car both ways and driving the 1 hour drive it was WAY cheaper... we transfered in Denver. Tampa was a great airport to arrive and leave out of. Not having flown into Orlando (but reading lots about the nightmare that is Orlando Int) I have nothing to campare.. but that savings was sure a great deal. We flew on United. If you go to UNited.ca rather then .com you get different prices.

 

[chimo2u]

Hello, I tried to send you a PM but there was no contact info in your profile, so I'll ask here instead. I was wondering, did you drive from Edmonton to Calgary, park your car there for the whole trip and fly out to Tampa. Then rent a car in Tampa and keep it for all your vacation and return it on your flight back? I am just wondering if this is a cost effective way to do it, or would I fly out of Edmonton to Tampa, and then rent a car in Tampa for our full 12 days? (Sept. 1-12). Also, depending on the time of arrival and departure, we may have to consider a hotel near Calgary airport if we drove to Calgary for a flight. That is also a 3 hour drive for us. and we have to pay to park the car for 12 days too. I am so confused! LOL It may be something to consider looking at the cost/schedule differences of flying Edmonton to Tampa, renting a car and then returning it upon departure. A car might be a nice back up to have in case CSR busses are not as timely as they usually are. When we flew last January, we managed to get tickets with United for 340.00 pp taxes in... so under 1400.00 for 4 was a great deal, I thought. I know we will probably not find such a deal with airlines in the state they are now, but I am hoping for at least under $500.00 pp. I also did not like flying United as there was absolutely no in-flight entertainment for the whole 7 1/2 hours. We didn't know that on the outset, and boy where our two boys bored (ages 16 and 11 at the time). We broke down and rented a DVD player at the layover in Chicago for the Chicago-Orlando leg of the flight. I would like to fly with an airline that at least offers in-flight tv and radio! after all this is the year 2008/2009 we are talking about! LOL.... sorry for the long reply, but I wanted to give as much background info regarding our situation and what we are looking for as possible! Thanks for all the advice, and if anyone else has anymore ideas, please keep them coming! Thanks so much
Marie

 

[Shelebeen]

Hi, sorry... we live in Calgary.. so left the car at home, took a sedan to the airport. We flew to Tampa, rented a one day rental car with Budget. dropped it off in Downtown Dis. the next day. In Florida there are no extra drop off fees for different locations. We then rented a car on the way home and dropped that off at the airport in Tampa.

True there was no inseat entertainment, and I think only Denver to Tampa was there a movie - but our kids had their DS's and I have an ipod video, we brought books, etc with us.

One thing we would do is upgrade to the Econo plus (we got these on the way there). the econ seats are VERY tight...

Carole

Hello, I tried to send you a PM but there was no contact info in your profile, so I'll ask here instead. I was wondering, did you drive from Edmonton to Calgary, park your car there for the whole trip and fly out to Tampa. Then rent a car in Tampa and keep it for all your vacation and return it on your flight back? I am just wondering if this is a cost effective way to do it, or would I fly out of Edmonton to Tampa, and then rent a car in Tampa for our full 12 days? (Sept. 1-12). Also, depending on the time of arrival and departure, we may have to consider a hotel near Calgary airport if we drove to Calgary for a flight. That is also a 3 hour drive for us. and we have to pay to park the car for 12 days too. I am so confused! LOL It may be something to consider looking at the cost/schedule differences of flying Edmonton to Tampa, renting a car and then returning it upon departure. A car might be a nice back up to have in case CSR busses are not as timely as they usually are. When we flew last January, we managed to get tickets with United for 340.00 pp taxes in... so under 1400.00 for 4 was a great deal, I thought. I know we will probably not find such a deal with airlines in the state they are now, but I am hoping for at least under $500.00 pp. I also did not like flying United as there was absolutely no in-flight entertainment for the whole 7 1/2 hours. We didn't know that on the outset, and boy where our two boys bored (ages 16 and 11 at the time). We broke down and rented a DVD player at the layover in Chicago for the Chicago-Orlando leg of the flight. I would like to fly with an airline that at least offers in-flight tv and radio! after all this is the year 2008/2009 we are talking about! LOL.... sorry for the long reply, but I wanted to give as much background info regarding our situation and what we are looking for as possible! Thanks for all the advice, and if anyone else has anymore ideas, please keep them coming! Thanks so much
Marie

 

[vickiea]

Last year flying from Edmonton to WDW in October we paid $347 per person - flying with Delta, we booked in the April. Next Feb (09) we are going again from Edmonton to WDW we booked tickets this March/April and paid $360 each, flying with United. I think these prices are great - cheaper than flying to LA for Disneyland even.

The Delta flights were OK, our times got changed a lot, but I expect that to happen again for the next trip, I figure the further out you book the more likely there are to be schedule changes.

Our flights leave Edmonton at around noon and in to Orlando around 9:30 - 10:00 pm, but this works better for us as we have to drive 1.5 hours to get to the airport because we are northwest of Edmonton. They did have the earlier flights. I know friends who have flown with NWA to Orlando, but any time I have checked their prices are a lot higher.

HTH
Vickie

 

[drag n' fly]

Hi, sorry... we live in Calgary.. so left the car at home, took a sedan to the airport. We flew to Tampa, rented a one day rental car with Budget. dropped it off in Downtown Dis. the next day. In Florida there are no extra drop off fees for different locations. We then rented a car on the way home and dropped that off at the airport in Tampa.

True there was no inseat entertainment, and I think only Denver to Tampa was there a movie - but our kids had their DS's and I have an ipod video, we brought books, etc with us.

One thing we would do is upgrade to the Econo plus (we got these on the way there). the econ seats are VERY tight...

Carole

How do you upgrade to econo plus? We are flying Calgary to Tampa in December. Dh is 6'2 and I am 5'9 How tight are we talking??? Op just for price reference we booked our upcoming trip in December in February. We are flying United into Tampa and it was 2360.00cad including tax for 5 of us return.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Last year flying from Edmonton to WDW in October we paid $347 per person - flying with Delta, we booked in the April. Next Feb (09) we are going again from Edmonton to WDW we booked tickets this March/April and paid $360 each, flying with United. I think these prices are great - cheaper than flying to LA for Disneyland even.

The Delta flights were OK, our times got changed a lot, but I expect that to happen again for the next trip, I figure the further out you book the more likely there are to be schedule changes.

Our flights leave Edmonton at around noon and in to Orlando around 9:30 - 10:00 pm, but this works better for us as we have to drive 1.5 hours to get to the airport because we are northwest of Edmonton. They did have the earlier flights. I know friends who have flown with NWA to Orlando, but any time I have checked their prices are a lot higher.

HTH
Vickie

I think prices all depend on when you are traveling and when you book your flights. We flew NWA in May 2007 for $346/pp taxes included, in Jan 2008 for $317/pp taxes included and in May 2008 for $367/pp taxes included. Our flight left Edmonton at 8:00 am and we arrived in Orlando around 5:00 -5:30 pm.

NWA has changed our flights maybe once or twice (nothing major though) however a friend who flew Delta had her flights changed considerably.

 

[chimo2u]

Maybe I will look into NWA... 5pm arrival at WDW would be great. Has anyone flown Alaska air, or the trip that goes through Salt lake city?

 

[drag n' fly]

NWA and Continental just merged. We are seeing some fantastic prices out of Calgary for October and November with Continental so check them too!

 

[chimo2u]

Just Bumping this up to see if there are any new advice people could give. I think in the next 2 weeks or so Sept, 2009 should be able to be booked. Any more advice on flying from Edmonton? Do you think I should book now, or wait until around April? And lastly, has anyone flown through Salt Lake City? I am beginning to think NWA may be the most secure and best flight for scheduling. I also do not know how up to driving 3 hours to Calgary I would be, perhaps for an awesome direct flight at a decent price, I may be tempted, but I do not know! LOL.... Thanks for any and all suggestions,
Marie

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

NWA and Continental just merged. We are seeing some fantastic prices out of Calgary for October and November with Continental so check them too!

Actually I thought it was NWA and Delta

Bonny

 

[drag n' fly]

Actually I thought it was NWA and Delta

Bonny

Oy things must be slow on the canuckie board. Sorry yes I had United on the brain when i said that thanks for the correction.

 

[Pokemom]

I would suggest keeping an eye on prices by checking expedia.ca or kayak and when you see a good price, go to the actual airline site and book it. Usually the airlines do not post the best prices when flights are first released. Also, keep checking these boards as someone who finds a good seat sale, will usually post it on the boards - that's how we flew to WDW at Christmas last year for $350 including tax. With the economy slowing down, airline prices may drop later in the year if seats are not selling.

 

[dis_guy]

Been checking YEG to MCO fares and if you look as far out as you can (first week Sept 09 as of today) there seems to be an easing of prices. United is coming up in the mid 600 dollar range while a short time ago Westjet, at around a thousand was the best I could find. Been awhile since I saw flights for 4 for under 3000 dollars. Maybe, maybe...