Anyone have cheap airfare tips/tricks?

[caravarela]

We aren't big fliers, so any help is appreciated. DH would like to fly to a basketball game next week and I'm trying to find airfare for a reasonable price. Everything we've seen is $200+ and we want something cheaper.

The dates we are looking at is next Wed the 17th to Sunday the 14th, but those aren't set in stone. He needs to get to Jacksonville, FL, and can fly out of Richmond or Norfolk, VA, or Charlotte or Raleigh, NC.

We aren't sure if last minute might be better to find a good deal?

TIA!

 

[Earstou]

Which day you fly makes a difference. Tuesday thru Thursday are usually the cheapest, and I think Sunday is cheaper than Friday or Saturday. Play around with the days and see.
I've never done last minute, so can't really help there. I do know that the airlines allot only so many cheap seats, and once those are gone, there's no more. There might be last minute websites that sell seats.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

Try checking out the discount airlines (Jet Blue, Southwest, Airtran) on their sites. I think Airtran is having a sale (or they were a couple of days ago). There is another discount airline that flys out of Roanoke, VA (I think it is Allegiant) that has limited days they fly, but cheap faires.

Also, I've never used them for flights, but I've heard of people getting good deals off of Priceline. I think you have to be really flexible but if you can save 50% it may be worth it!

 

[KKB]

But $200 is a good rate. You would be hard pressed to find any flight less than $200, particularly this close to when you want to fly.

 

[msmayor]

You're within 14 days of departure, so cheap airfares are going to be VERY hard to come by. Most airlines raise fares at that point because most bookings at that point are business travelers who are not as price conscious.

 

[shruley]

If you getting one this soon to flying for $200 or even $250, that IS cheap as far as I'm concerned! Other than looking at the discount fliers (Southwest, AirTran, JetBlue) not much else you can do.

 

[laurafergie]

At this late date, there's not much you can do. The window to purchase airfare is 6-2 weeks out. You may luck out with the PP's suggestions, but probably not. Priceline is your best bet. I just looked around and it looks like $240 is what it will be.

If he has the time - He could pick up the Amtrak train in Rocky Mount and go to Jacksonville - it's about $100-150 round trip. I've done it many times. I always pick up the train in Rocky Mount, because of the big layover in Richmond.

Or he could drive, it's about 10 hours.

 

[3boymthr]

My DB works for a Major Airline programming their online ticketing. He told me that prices go up 14 days out, 7 days out then 4 days out. So this close I'd say your not going to do any better and I wouldn't wait as your price is apt to go up very quickly.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's too late for last minute fares - it's beyond 'last minute', since his departure is less than a week away. WOULD he consider the train? With an AAA discount, that Rocky Mount pickup is only about $122 round trip!

 

[MarthaJr.]

Have you tried pricing 2 one way flights instead of a round trip? I've done that several times and gotten decent fares. I also use http://www.kayak.com to compare fares and then I book with the airline directly. Good luck!

BTW-What game is he wanting to see?

 

[disneymarie]

You can try Orbitz too. Air Tran does have a sale, I had an email with prices for our local at $59 to Orlando. That is a fluke though.

Right now there may be 2-5 seats they are trying to sell. Last year we had the last 3 on the flight, 4 days before flying at $80 a piece. Buy luck....

Good luck, keep searching the links,