Best last minute flight across country?

[Raenstoirm]

Our WDW trip was cut very short (it lasted only 4 hours) because of a family emergency back home. We had planned the trip to see the decorations. So we are debating flying all the way across the country to see the DL decorations since they will be up a week after new years. But as we have discovered the long distance flight (washington DC to LA) coupled with the last minute flight and the holiday travel time of year is making this very costly.

Any tricks for cutting the flight cost down? Best websites to look at? Best day to fly or book? That sort of thing.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

I just got an email from Expedia that they have deals to/from certain places if you book by 12/27 for travel starting the first week in January. I seem to remember DC and LAX on that list.


Sarah

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Start your airfare research on a website that compares pricing on multiple airlines, such as http://www.hipmunk.com/ and/or http://www.kayak.com/

Also check Southwest separately because Southwest is not properly included at the websites above.

When comparing prices, factor in luggage fees and potential change fees. Southwest often comes in higher than other airlines, but when you factor in luggage (2 bags free per passenger) and flexibility, Southwest can have the advantage. JetBlue offers 1 bag free per passenger.

Although nonstop flights save time and eliminate the possibility of a missed connection, you can often save money with connecting service, and you'll have far more airlines to choose from. (Try to avoid connections of less than 1 hour, even if i's a "legal" connection according to an airline's website.)

You have several destination airports to choose from. There can be significant price differences. The most convenient airports (in order of convenience) for Disneyland are:
1. Orange County (SNA)
2. Long Beach (LGB)
3. Los Angeles Int'l (LAX)
4. Ontario (ONT)
(In the list above, 3 and 4 could also be flipped because ONT is a smaller airport that's easier to get in and out of than LAX.)

You have several departure airports to choose from: IAD, DCA, and BWI. Sometimes driving an hour to a different departure airport is worth it.

Be flexible regarding the days. Sometimes flying a day or two earlier or later can mean much lower or higher pricing.

If you find a good fare on American Airlines, put reservations on a free 24-hour hold on AA.com and buy enough $300 gift cards for $269.99 each at Costco (if available at your Costco) to pay for the tickets.

I hope you find an acceptable airfare and that you have a good trip.

 

[snowy76]

I'm finding fares of $299 RT from IAD to LAX on Virgin America for the first week of January (I put in dates of 1/1 to 1/6). I'm curious if any DISers fly VA and what they think - they always seem to have great fares... I'm considering it out of NYC later next year.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm finding fares of $299 RT from IAD to LAX on Virgin America for the first week of January (I put in dates of 1/1 to 1/6). I'm curious if any DISers fly VA and what they think - they always seem to have great fares... I'm considering it out of NYC later next year.

I've NEVER considered VA to have "great" fares, especially since they charge for even the first checked bag, BUT they are an awesome, gorgeous, amazing airline that actually starts to make the cost worth it.

The planes are beautiful, the seats are comfortable, and the in-flight entertainment system has won awards it's so good.


I'm using that same search, and the $299 is one way on the 1st now... Going home on the 7th and I believe a few other days after that, however, is $129, and that's nice. I see a $129 fare on the 6th to LAX, if you're truly wanting a short, end-of-holiday-time, trip.



I definitely recommend looking at southwest separately and at kayak.com, because it gives all the flights except for southwest. Make sure you know the baggage costs on each airline.

SNA is nice and close, and many people like it, but to us, LAX isn't bad at all. As long as we're not renting a car. But taking a shuttle from and to is just fine for us at LAX.

 

[snowy76]

I've NEVER considered VA to have "great" fares, especially since they charge for even the first checked bag, BUT they are an awesome, gorgeous, amazing airline that actually starts to make the cost worth it.

Admittedly I have a skewed perspective. I can either drive four hours to NYC or fly for as much as $200 one way. Airfares out of upstate NY can be crazy. I've seen $149 JFK-LAX one way several times on VA. I'm not sure I can go SYR-JFK for much less than that anymore.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ah. For the flights we're interested in, they are generally right in line with the others (usually check SW, Alaska, and sometimes United). Adding in the baggage charges, reminding myself that hubby has status on Alaska and United so if we travel with him we don't have to pay for luggage, it's just never *better* than the others. Price-wise, that is. In every OTHER way, for the routes we can get on with it, it's always better.