Anyone else worried about airfare?

[EnnEss]

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!

This isn't true at most airlines . They may do this with some things, some travel agencies get you seats that gurantee this though. In . I think continental and united both added fees for baggage the 2nd week of may that were instantly applied regardless of ticket purchase date. Remember though, you can still bring your one big bag, a carry on, and a backpack or large purse. I never check baggage as a backpack and carry on carries an awful lot of stuff and I dont like dealing with retrieving luggage. Between those three bags you should be ok with anything but extremely extended stays. Dont worry about over heads filling up or inconveniencing someone else because you brought a carry on, if they fill up it just gets gate checked, even the smallest planes have a compartment for this and it takes no time. The backpack cant be put in the overhead or gate checked though, its expected to go under the seat in front of you.

As for cancelled flights, the airlines announce them months in advance, their schedules are already out for october. Cancelling a scheduled flight means laying off or reducing many schedules for many employees from ground support, pilots and air hosts. This isn't easily done and they always give a lot of notice. There are cuts in flights to Asia this november, they were announced in June. That's an example. Hopefully none of the airlines experience a catastrophic failure.

If you find cheap tickets, just buy em and dont worry

Ditzy, quite a few airlines do assignments when you check in. Southwest's method is infamous, I wont go in to too much detail. Which airline are you with? I dont think any that use this method gurantee seats together, I actually flew thursday and the family coming back from disneyland was completely separated, you'll have to get there and get a seat, but thats not hard generally, you do it on check in on the computer check in, there'll be a picture of the seats available and you touch the ones you want. Some airlines let you do this online 24 hours in advance. If yours is one of these, make sure you do it, or you will definately be split up as most people do check in and seat selection from home. If its not, arriving in a decent amount of time, 1.5 hours or so before your flight, is usually sufficient, but 2 is safer and what they reccommend.

 

[DahliaRW]

This isn't true at most airlines . They may do this with some things, some travel agencies get you seats that gurantee this though. In . I think continental and united both added fees for baggage the 2nd week of may that were instantly applied regardless of ticket purchase date.

I flew continental and we bought tix early enough that since they implemented the policy after we purchased our tickets we could check a second bag. We chose not to, since we flew a different airline the other direction and they already had the fee. If they tell you different, argue it. But they have to disclose fees when buying tickets.

 

[Catgyrl]

I just checked Hawaiian Airlines' website FAQs and there was a question posted that if someone purchased their ticket prior to May 10, 2008, would they still have to pay for the 2nd checked bag fee. Here is the answer posted:

No, you will be exempt from the second checked baggage fee. The new baggage policy for flights between the continental U.S and Hawaii, applies to tickets purchased on or after May 10, 2008.

So, we Hawaii people who purchased early are safe. It's always safest to check directly with your particular airlines, though.

 

[Catgyrl]

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!

Northshoremana - How sad that I remember this from 20+ years ago, but we (Leilehua) played your school (Waialua) for homecoming one year (I think it was my sophomore or junior year) and our homecoming float consisted of a caveman beating the living you-know-what out of a bulldog leaning over a rock! My apologies; 15-year-olds have sick senses of humor...

 

[DitzyMom]

Ditzy, quite a few airlines do assignments when you check in. Southwest's method is infamous, I wont go in to too much detail. Which airline are you with? I dont think any that use this method gurantee seats together, I actually flew thursday and the family coming back from disneyland was completely separated, you'll have to get there and get a seat, but thats not hard generally, you do it on check in on the computer check in, there'll be a picture of the seats available and you touch the ones you want. Some airlines let you do this online 24 hours in advance. If yours is one of these, make sure you do it, or you will definately be split up as most people do check in and seat selection from home. If its not, arriving in a decent amount of time, 1.5 hours or so before your flight, is usually sufficient, but 2 is safer and what they reccommend.

EnnEss, We are flying Northwest and I've never seen where when you book the ticket you can't book your seats?? I will definately make sure that at least my 4 yo and I will sit together. I'm sure no one else wants that pleasure!

I've flown Southwest and am well aware of their cattle call, but Northwest isn't like that or hasn't been that I know of. I'm not fond of my 10 yo daughter sitting alone, I hope the stewardesses will help work it out if it is completely screwed up.

 

[Catgyrl]

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!

Thanks for the Premier Club info - just signed up for mine. I will now be chillin' in da lounge!

 

[EnnEss]

EnnEss, We are flying Northwest and I've never seen where when you book the ticket you can't book your seats?? I will definately make sure that at least my 4 yo and I will sit together. I'm sure no one else wants that pleasure!

I've flown Southwest and am well aware of their cattle call, but Northwest isn't like that or hasn't been that I know of. I'm not fond of my 10 yo daughter sitting alone, I hope the stewardesses will help work it out if it is completely screwed up.

Sorry, i meant southwest. Either continental or united only assign some seats too. I flew both last month and can't recall which one didn't. That was the situation I saw, a child, about 3 or 4, by themselves, directly behind me, the parent 3 rows back. It was horrific. He kept smashing the seat and periodically screaming. Someone else complained, I was trying to bear it. The hostess couldn't do anything she said except move that customer, as there was an empty seat in the back of the plane.

I've only rarely been split from a travelling companion though, and I cut flights pretty close, arriving maybe an hour ahead of time.

 

[Leofoenget]

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?

I have a flight booked on American for Sept. I also booked a rental car just in case it get's cancled. I keep looking at the flight with the seat assignments and the plane is pretty empty. I would not be at all surprised if it got cancled. If it does, I will just drive home. BLAH but at least we will get there.

 

[northshoremama]

Northshoremana - How sad that I remember this from 20+ years ago, but we (Leilehua) played your school (Waialua) for homecoming one year (I think it was my sophomore or junior year) and our homecoming float consisted of a caveman beating the living you-know-what out of a bulldog leaning over a rock! My apologies; 15-year-olds have sick senses of humor...

cathy, no apologies necessary! i got a good laugh out of it!

 

[WA Kay]

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!

DitzyMom

I am begging you…. please do not wait until you get to the airport to get your seats assigned. Call the airline 90 days prior to travel and ask for seat assignments. I am not sure but you may be able to do this online if that is how you purchased your tickets.

Northwest Airlines seats may be pre-assigned a maximum of 90 days prior to departure.

Based on your signature I am assuming you are talking about April 2009 so that would explain why it would not let you book your seats.

This way you will have one less thing to worry about. And you are very correct in saying “One bad thing is they won't let me pick seats? Never heard of that.” as almost all airlines will let you pre-assign seats if you book far enough out. Northwest is unique with the 90 day policy. Another poster was also correct in that the airlines will not guarantee the seat you pick but it is very rare that once you get a seat assigned they will move you.

Have a great trip. Kay

http://www.nwa.com/travel/seatselection.html This is the link for seating info. Hope it helps.

 

[Mililani Mouser]

my dh and dd flew last week on hawaiian airlines, when dh booked the flight he had the 2 of them sitting together. hawaiian air actually seperated the two of them (dd is only 5 years old!) a few days prior. when dh called the airlines, they told him to come 3 hrs prior to departure to stand in line with customer service to get the seats back together. i couldn't believe they did that. plus they gave dh a really hard time about it once he got to the airport. unbelievable!!

 

[Wavy Blue]

It's sad when driving from where I live AND staying a night in Mesquite, Nevada is cheaper than flying to California. Even with high gas prices, it is SO much cheaper to drive. Airfare is getting ridiculous.

Unfortunately we had to fly our last trip, but we managed to get a pretty good deal.

 

[DitzyMom]

WA Kay!

Thank you so much for helping me figure this one out. I see on my reservations that I can make seat arrangements 90 days out! I guess I never booked airfare this early before! D'oh!

 

[WA Kay]

WA Kay!

Thank you so much for helping me figure this one out. I see on my reservations that I can make seat arrangements 90 days out! I guess I never booked airfare this early before! D'oh!

DitzyMom

You are very welcome. Have a great trip.

Kay