Best Strategy for Group Flights

[bwbuddy5]

Starting to watch flight prices for a June 2018 trip. I need to book for 9 people, and I'm normally an Expedia fan, but their website doesn't adapt well for a party of that size.

Any recommendations for booking air for groups of this size? We are mainly served by American, Delta, and United in our most immediate area, and Southwest flies out of a city about 90 minutes away. We also have Allegiant in our area, and they are definitely lower in cost, but they do a lot of nickel and diming, and they only fly to Sanford, so Magical Express would be out with them.

 

[barbliny]

Whatever you do, don't put in the full number of people traveling when attempting to find the lowest fares on airline websites. It will bump all 9 of you up to higher fare levels if there are not enough seats at a lower fare. For instance if the lowest fare available is $100 and there are only 3 seats left at that price - it will not issue 3 tickets at the $100, it will push all 9 tickets to the next highest fare.

Most airlines will require a group of 10 or more to start a conversation about group ticket sales. But, I'd still take a look and check the particulars with the airlines you are considering.

You might also look into having a travel agent book the plane tickets.

 

[JimMIA]

With a group that size, I would at least check with a reputable travel agent. They can get group rates that you won't get as an individual, and it won't cost you anything. And, if they can't help you, that didn't cost you anything either.

The other option -- if it's not all one family unit that needs to fly on the same flight -- would be to break the group up into its component parts and get the best fares you can for those various groups.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Thanks, gang, I will try a travel agent, and all 9 will be on the same flight.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thanks, gang, I will try a travel agent, and all 9 will be on the same flight.

one thing to have in mind is a back up plan in case your flight is canceled for some reason as it can be hard to rebook a group at last minute. granted it was a huge group but happened to daughters baton group when their flight home could not leave airport that their flight plane was coming from. no plane no flight

 

[FCDub]

I would definitely let everyone book their own flights since, judging from your signature, this is an extended family trip.

You're a brave soul to wrangle all of this!

 

[bwbuddy5]

I've contacted two travel agencies, and neither of them handle air reservations. Seems like I remember now that airlines were decommissioned a while ago, and agencies would only do them as a courtesy to those who booked full vacation packages. Since I'm renting DVC points, I may be out of luck.

 

[mustinjourney]

go all out and rent a private jet on netjets!