Anyone else worried about airfare?

[DitzyMom]

I found a "good" rate from Milwaukee to Orange county at the end of April for $250 including taxes, etc. I still haven't booked it and am now afraid too. It's on Northwest and I'm afraid if I book it I'll end up w/ cancelled flights, condensed flights, having to fly different days or with outrageous fees that they dream up.

Anyone else in the same boat? How are you feeling about the airlines?

 

[lulubelle]

I think we all are afraid of cancelled flights, but what can we do? The rate you found is awesome - I would book it right away! And hope that it stays as it is. We are going from So Cal to WDW in Florida in January and found flights for $330 each RT and booked it. Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[DahliaRW]

If you book now and they implement new fees later, you are grandfathered in and don't have to pay them (for example for checked luggage). If it's a good fare, book it!

 

[Catgyrl]

If you book now and they implement new fees later, you are grandfathered in and don't have to pay them (for example for checked luggage). If it's a good fare, book it!

Do you know if this is true for ALL airlines? I booked my October trip on Hawaiian Airlines, and they implemented a 2nd checked baggage fee, but since I booked way back in April, would I also be grandfathered in? I surely hope so!

 

[dalepool]

If your flight is changed they must refund your money or offer you other times at the price you paid. There are rules that airlines must follow concerning this. I jsut had a flight change by 3 hours-- called them told then I needed to think about what flight i wanted and would call back within the month. They have no problem with this-- the thing to do is to follow your reservation about once amonth-- that is how i found my change -- they did not call or e-mail nor will they-- it is up to you to follow the reservation and 2 weeks before check about every 4 days and then night before travel check in via the airlines check -in service. (this gives you boarding passes and lets you by-pass a lot at airport and saves I think about 15-30 mins checking in).

 

[heatherleigh]

I actually haven't thought about the flights being unreliable. Although we are not flying to DL, I have another trip planned to LV in Oct. I am flying there. I have not purchased my ticket, but I have found an excellent deal. I really need to buy it soon before the prices get higher. I keep thinking they're going to increase. And I'm going on a budget airline.

 

[northshoremama]

Do you know if this is true for ALL airlines? I booked my October trip on Hawaiian Airlines, and they implemented a 2nd checked baggage fee, but since I booked way back in April, would I also be grandfathered in? I surely hope so!

aloha, catgyrl! i'm go back home to hawaii at least once a year with my family so i'm pretty bummed about the new checked baggage policy, too. i looked on hawaiian airline's website and found the following under the new policy.

"The new baggage policy for travel between the Continental U.S. and Hawaii applies to tickets purchased on or after May 10, 2008 for travel on or after June 10, 2008. "

...but just to be sure, i'd call to make sure!

when are you at DL in october? we're gonna be there too in october for our 1st family trip to DL...very excited!

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I booked mine for October, and I live in the bay area. I was figuring it wouldn't cost so much because they always have specials from here to SNA or LAX, but i ended up paying like $150 per person. Still not a bad deal, but wow. I remember when they were doing specials for $80. Times have DEFINITELY changed.

I'm not complaining though because prices are going up for EVERYTHING. It should go up for airfare too or companies won't be able to stay afloat. I'm not going to fuss about check in charge. Its just how it goes. I'm just going to take a breath and think about how I'm gonna be in DLR in a couple of hrs

 

[Mililani Mouser]

i love hawaiian airlines, even if they implemented their new fees. they are one of the last to still offer in flight meals. plus their seats feel roomier than the competition. plus i have too many frequent flier miles with them (my debit card, credit cards are all hawaiian miles).

however, i did book northwest for our trip next month since it was $100 cheaper r/t than hawaiian. they have already changed our departure time leaving hnl to lax.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Do you know if this is true for ALL airlines? I booked my October trip on Hawaiian Airlines, and they implemented a 2nd checked baggage fee, but since I booked way back in April, would I also be grandfathered in? I surely hope so!

Yea you are grandfathered in. I booked back in April for our Oct trip too... If you want to avoid some of the fees on Hawaiian get the premirer club membership. It is only $150 a year and it will save you from future checked bag fees. You will also be able to catch earlier flights when travelling neighbor island if available. Plus other perks like a separate screening line at HNL, free headphones and the lounge... Well worth a measley $150!

I only wish they flew to SNA... I hope they pick up that route now that Aloha is gone!

 

[dalepool]

I to am a hawaii Airlines card member---> I did use miles for our up coming trip --thought they might change a few of the FF rules. No more of the 12,500 miles each way west coast to honolulu and back. If you fly First class you can take as many bags as you would like. I love the idea of the premier pass. I am concerned as I do home dialysis and even though the solution company delivers my supplies to our condo I msut still travel with enough solutions to last 24 hours so that is 25 # in jsut solution. Then there is all the meds I need to take. Husband travels with electric wheelchair-- that is transported at no fee -- but his braces and other items used for walkeing are not -- he has two leg braces that take up a whole suit case . I did call and ask about the med supplies mine and his and braces and was told we would be charged 50 rt for first bag and 100 rt for second . I know it is my option to travel but thought for this type of medical supplies they would be a bit forgiving. I hope to talk to corp and see if we can wprk something out.

Hate to have to buy new clothes over there then leave but not sure what other options I have. I wonder if mailing would be a good choice. Can mail for much less then the 150 we would be charged for some items. I like the old days.

Anyway that is my thought on the new rules for baggage .

 

[DonaldTDuck]

The Big Guys booked about 2 months ago at under $250 inclusive apiece from Louisville to SNA. About 3 weeks ago our airline, Frontier, announced they wouldno longer fly out of Louisville. They called and offered money back or we could switch cities. Nashville is about as convenient, so we just switched. Even kept the same connecting flight.

 

[kelmac284]

We are flying from Sac to Orlando and we used to pay 199 rt from here to Orlando but back in Jan those fares were not to be had. So we were told to wait on Southwest. Well we waited and waited but they don't release till June and when the gas prices kept going up so did the airfare. We were afraid by the time southwest DID release the fares weren't going to be cheap and so we bit the bullet and bought on Delta. I WISH we had used a travel agent! We bought our tickets online and paid about 350 each rt.

We bought them in May I think it was and they have been changed or cancelled about 4 times ALREADY! and our flight isn't till Nov! Not ONCE did they tell us and one of the flights was completely cancelled! Then on our return they completely dropped a leg and we would have been stuck in LA!

So I had us flying at a decent time and returning at a decent time. NOW we don't get to Orlando till almost midnight and don't get home till almost 9 at night and the kids have school the next day and dh has work. I am NOT happy but because they are cancelling flights and changing things that is ALL that is left! So I am NOT thrilled at all! Plus the SAME flights that we paid 350 for are now over 700 rt!!!

My mom and I used to get 39 one way to Orange county out of Sac and now we have to pay like 100. It is just UGLY to fly right now. We will still go to Disneyland but whether or not we fly will remain to be seen. We can drive if we have to. But this will probably be our LAST trip to Florida unless things get back to normal in the future!

 

[DitzyMom]

YIKES!! It IS horrible to fly and I'm just a worrywart. I should switch to DW because that is a doable drive from Wisconsin; but I've never been and really want to go to DL because it is so much smaller and easier on the pocket book! MY DS is 4 and I don't want to try and tackle DW until he is at least 7. Just seems so big and daunting.

Biting the bullet and booking tickets. One bad thing is they won't let me pick seats? Never heard of that. I'm assuming they will have one child w/ one adult.

Oh, well, get the tickets out of the way and focus on the hotel, etc. Something awesome to look forward to during our long winter. Last year's winter was awful!

 

[JaneJetson]

Personally, I think there is no point in worrying about things that are out of my control. So I just think about the trip and hope for the best. If bad things or canceled flights pop up...there's not much I can do about it...so why bother stressing over it?

 

[janc]

I was worried back in the spring when gas prices started shooting up so I bought our tickets then.

Checked on what the prices are now and they have dropped by 100.00 per ticket. Called Alaska Airlines, they did give me the new price but instead of a refund I get a credit with them.

I would rather have the money for DL but oldest DS joined the Navy and we will be going to watch him graduate basic so I will just apply the credit to that trip.

 

[Catgyrl]

aloha, catgyrl! i'm go back home to hawaii at least once a year with my family so i'm pretty bummed about the new checked baggage policy, too. i looked on hawaiian airline's website and found the following under the new policy.

"The new baggage policy for travel between the Continental U.S. and Hawaii applies to tickets purchased on or after May 10, 2008 for travel on or after June 10, 2008. "

...but just to be sure, i'd call to make sure!

when are you at DL in october? we're gonna be there too in october for our 1st family trip to DL...very excited!

Alooooooha!! My friends and I are staying at the Disneyland Hotel from 10/19-10/23, checking out on 10/24. Soooo excited to get outta here. Thanks for checking on that baggage policy. I had read that too, but sometimes I don't comprehend so well. haha

 

[Catgyrl]

i love hawaiian airlines, even if they implemented their new fees. they are one of the last to still offer in flight meals. plus their seats feel roomier than the competition. plus i have too many frequent flier miles with them (my debit card, credit cards are all hawaiian miles).

however, i did book northwest for our trip next month since it was $100 cheaper r/t than hawaiian. they have already changed our departure time leaving hnl to lax.

Howzit! Mililani Mouser - you're about 5 minutes away from me. I'm a Wahiawa Mouser. I'm going to pretend I didn't read that part about Northwest being $100 cheaper. lalalala Especially, since I just checked Hawaiian and the fare they offer now is $100 cheaper than the one I got in April.

 

[northshoremama]

Alooooooha!! My friends and I are staying at the Disneyland Hotel from 10/19-10/23, checking out on 10/24. Soooo excited to get outta here. Thanks for checking on that baggage policy. I had read that too, but sometimes I don't comprehend so well. haha

you're welcome! it got me thinking about our trip back home in january next year. i got my tickets on 5/2, so technically i should be grandfathered in, too! i hope so! i was thinking i was going to have a hard time packing stuff and bring home things that i needed for my dd #2's 1st bday party.

you and mililani mouser are pretty close to where i used to live...and where we'll be staying with my parents...waialua!

have fun in october!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I purchased airfare last month for our upcoming Dec. trip. We're flying JetBlue Salt Lake to Long Beach for $129 pp. The price pre tax per flight was $50, I just checked and they're $79 one way $89 the other, I'm glad I booked already! I'm hoping for a trip sometime in early Spring 09 (our AP's are good until 4/20) I'm wondering what airfare will be like for a trip then.