Any airfare gur's?

[pat fan]

We have a wedding to go to in N.C. in April, and the air is just killing me!

$1,200-$1,300 RT for 4. OUCH! Was thinking of driving down and flying home, but DH doesn't want to do that. Says we can just drive both ways, but coming home on Sunday we would have to drive straight through and he's the only driver!

Other than the economy, Iran etc... why the heck has air stayed so high? It hasn't budged a bit since I've been looking (since Nov).

 

[disprincessatheart]

What airports are you looking at? There might be another not too far that makes sense. If the wedding, for instance, is in Wilmington, you'd likely find much cheaper airfare into Raleigh and then it's a 2 hr. Similar with the mountains and charlotte.

 

[okeydokey]

I just booked tickets, but DOD a one way on Delta and a one way on US Air. Way cheaper than round trips on either

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

What airports are you looking at? There might be another not too far that makes sense. If the wedding, for instance, is in Wilmington, you'd likely find much cheaper airfare into Raleigh and then it's a 2 hr. Similar with the mountains and charlotte.

This. It depends where you are going. It might be cheaper to fly into a different airport and rent a car. We sometimes find it to be much cheaper to fly out of Raleigh or even Myrtle Beach than to fly out of Wilmington. Charlotte can be higher or lower than GSP (Greenville/Spartanburg, SC) depending on the destination. Sometimes Greensboro (GSO, I think) can be a good value.

 

[kelleigh1]

Is Southwest an option? They now fly out of Logan too, so you have Logan, Manchester and Providence in this area depending on where you are within the state. And as someone said, booking two one-way flights lately can be cheaper than a roundtrip. And with Southwest, if the price goes down, you can get a credit (which must be used within 1 year of original booking, but there is no change fee.)

Also, if you don't want Southwest, use kayak.com to compare prices. That can help you get a better handle on price.

Although, if it's April around school break time, finding a deal might be nearly impossible.

Another trick...check fares on Tuesdays. That is when most airlines release their new fares.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Where in NC and what are the dates you need. Easter is April 8, and if it is near then you have a lot of people on Spring vacations/breaks.

 

[pat fan]

Flying from Bradley to Raleigh-Durham. And that IS Southwest!

I've looked at Albany with Southwest (SW doesn't fly into Charlotte), more expensive, and Boston with JetBlue to Charlotte, same as BDL-RDU but with a 3 1/2 hr. drive to Boston.

The wedding is on April 21st. Not sure where the wedding is being held exactly, but we need to get to Albemarle where my DB lives

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Flying from Bradley to Raleigh-Durham. And that IS Southwest!

I've looked at Albany with Southwest (SW doesn't fly into Charlotte), more expensive, and Boston with JetBlue to Charlotte, same as BDL-RDU but with a 3 1/2 hr. drive to Boston.

The wedding is on April 21st. Not sure where the wedding is being held exactly, but we need to get to Albemarle where my DB lives

We are taking a DCL that same week. I agree no cheap airfare. I've looked everywhere,even flying Allegiant out of Youngstown OH into Sanford. That option is cheaper but not that much cheaper for the hassle .

We are probably going to drive to the Port. Agreed from Pit to MCO is over $300 pp r/t. Way too expensive. And yes thats SWA.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Flying from Bradley to Raleigh-Durham. And that IS Southwest!

I've looked at Albany with Southwest (SW doesn't fly into Charlotte), more expensive, and Boston with JetBlue to Charlotte, same as BDL-RDU but with a 3 1/2 hr. drive to Boston.

The wedding is on April 21st. Not sure where the wedding is being held exactly, but we need to get to Albemarle where my DB lives

Does that correspond to Northeast spring breaks? Most of the NC spring breaks are either the week before or the week after Easter, but I wonder if it is spring break for the northeast and that is why the airfare is so high.

I'd look at Greensboro before Raleigh - it is closer to Albemarle and might be less expensive.

 

[mrsklamc]

Other than the economy, Iran etc... why the heck has air stayed so high?

Unfortunately, it doesn't take anything else. Although Southwest was promoting a link about stopping oil speculation awhile back.

 

[okeydokey]

Does that correspond to Northeast spring breaks? Most of the NC spring breaks are either the week before or the week after Easter, but I wonder if it is spring break for the northeast and that is why the airfare is so high.

I'd look at Greensboro before Raleigh - it is closer to Albemarle and might be less expensive.

many schools in that area (MA) have April vacation that week.

 

[pat fan]

Yes, I'm guessing that's why the return flight is so expensive for Sunday. School starts back up on Monday, which is, of course, why I have to be at work! I could be persuaded to take it off but my DS has to go to work Monday too, and he doesn't have enough vacation time for that.

Getting separate flights (Delta down and SW back home) saves $100. Not sure it's worth it for the bag fees on Delta. I wish JetBlue flew to NC out of BDL!