Continental vs Alaska Air

[michellelovesthemous]

Hiya, I had no clue where to post this question so mod's please move me if in the wrong spot! To fly from seatle to orlando on Alaska on 8/19 it will cost-hold your shorts- $2400.00 for 3 of us!!! to fly on Continental it will cost $1200.00 ok they have a 90 minute stop and Alaska is a red eye straight. But really twice the cost....REALLY!!! I have never flown on Contintal and was wondering what ya'll thought of them if they are good and have you had any bad luck??? We will have DME and i am almost positive it works w/Cont. too for check in at the hote....HELP!!! TYIA

 

[canadianjovigirl]

My family of 5 flew from Calgary to Houston then Houston to Orlando and did the same for our return flight and thought it was fine. We also saved over $1000 doing that so the stop over was worth it to us even with 3 kids. We had no issues and they even fed us free food, something i did not think exsisted anymore on airlines. The staff was fine, easy check in and had movies etc so i noticed no difference between them and other airlines we had used in the past.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

$2,400 is a ridiculous price. Continental is fine, and a 90 minute stop is well worth saving $1,200.

 

[bumbershoot]

FWIW, Alaska does have the deal where you can get credit if the price goes down (at no extra charge). So if you think it might go down...

Otherwise, go with what is better for you NOW. And if you book with an airline that doesn't give you credit (or if the credit wouldn't help you with the fees normal airlines cost for changes), then STOP LOOKING once you buy.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Take Continental - AND THE BUCKS.
2) There is simply not much difference, at least not for $1,200.

 

[Fly4free]

My DH flies often for business and prefers Continental, when available. He did mention they were not serving food like before though.

I have flown them twice and had good experiences both times.

Do not be afraid to try them, especially to save $1200.

 

[jpeppers]

Alaska's fares are always high but I always use them because of the $100 companion fare you get with the Alaska Visa (we paid about $580 for 2 RT tickets later this month). I have had no problem with Continental though and it is kind of nice to get off the plane and move around a little during the stop. I am always sore by the time I reach Orlando on the Alaska non stops.

 

[squirrel]

Did you look into the Alaska Credit Card?

I priced out my dates on Continental and they were more than Alaska. With the $99 companion ticket and the annual fee (for the credit card) and my flight, I save almost $225 off just booking with Alaska.


I just did some rough estimates with the Alaska for your trip. I picked the 8:45am direct flight out the morning before you check into your resort (you can add another night if you want or fly a different flight but it will cost more as that is the cheapest flight on the 19th). If both you and your mom (I'm guessing that who else is going with you) both apply and are accepted for the card you could use your $99 companion ticket for your daughter. Then you have to pay full price for your flight. Adding in the cost of the annual fee and say your mom (or other adult) can use the sign up miles for a 50% off flight the price should be about $1,297, unless I missed something.