Delta or United??? Now or Later???

[DMoss3377]

Hi -

I'm looking for advice regarding our airfare. I've been watching the prices for United and Delta flights for our cruise in October. United is staying pretty pricey and Delta is at the lowest I've seen for any airlines since January.

I'm concerned because I've read on these boards that Delta has a bad track record regarding changing flights, cancelling flights, etc. I usually fly United, but that was prior to all of their recent financial issues and I'm afraid their price may not go low enough for my budget.

So, should I get the Delta tix now, and just hope my flight doesn't get changed or canceled? Should I wait a little longer and hope one or both airlines will lower their prices even more so that either I can afford United or Delta's price is so low that I can't pass it up?

We are flying out of Dulles International in Northern Virginia to Orlando, the morning of the cruise in October.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[zyezye]

I had all the same questions you've had. We are going to Orlando in November, and I just decided to book now. I got a great deal through US Airways (their web site) for $200 each. That is from Boston to Orlando. I had checked Expedia, Sidestep and Travelocity and that was the best deal.
If you can, I would highly recommend going down the night before the cruise and staying overnight . It is awfully stressful thinking the flight might not make it on the DAY of the cruise. Just my thoughts....
Bobbi

 

[xnascar2x]

Have you priced airfare with Jet Blue?

I have not flown Jet Blue because they do not fly out of Chicago, but have heard many good things about this airline from some of my clients at work and have read articles that had good things to say about Jet Blue.

 

[DMoss3377]

I have checked with Jet Blue and unfortunately their Washington flight only goes to Ft. Lauderdale...not Orlando.

As for flying in the night before, the last couple times I checked on that, the price was even higher, but I'll keep checking.

Thanks

 

[plutojudy]

My son has not had good experiences with Delta. He was left stranded at the Daytona Beach airport for 8 hours last time he used Delta, which of course made him miss connecting flights in Atlanta. He won't fly with them again. We always use United or American. Don't get me started about our Sky Country flight from Las Vegas to Chicago. The plane ride from h---.

 

[OurDogCisco]

We got a great DEAL from American for our May trip. I'd definitely fly the day before. I think, with any airlines your flight can change, etc... with these hard economic times. So, I'd fly the day before just in case your booked flight gets cancelled and you need to take the next flight out. Have you checked late afternoon. I found that the afternoon is cheaper than evening time and morning time. Or maybe you could do a red-eye flight although that can be tough on the sleeping part. Oh, and buy trip insurance! Good Luck!

Tina

 

[Incharge]

DMoss3377,
I am flying out of Dullas also(live in Dumfries,Va) I just priced United for 9/5 to see how much difference in price since I booked the 3 of us. They now want 183.00 more than when I booked a couple of months ago. I locked in at 200.00 each. I believe this will go cheaper, but was afraid to wait too long. Let me know if you get much lower.

 

[DMoss3377]

Hi BLESSINGS...

I live in Manassas, we're neighbors.

I've been really disappointed with United's prices. They've been over $300 since February, and I just have such a hard time paying that much when for last years cruise I only paid $174 per ticket. I understand the why's, but it still doensn't help my budget much.

I've flown Delta a couple times in the last few years, and haven't been overly thrilled with their service. But it looks more and more like they will win out just because of price. They cost about 1/2 as much, although, after reading some posts on the boards, I'm wondering if I'll be getting what I paid for.

I've looked into flying in the day before...Unfortunately, it works out to be more expensive to fly in the day before, even if everyone could get off from work...there's 4 of us going. So I'm still left with the dilemma of should I wait and hope United's prices go down or take my chances with Delta.

It's so frustrating.

But thanks everyone for your advice...keep it coming.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Hi DMoss3377 -

We were on Delta a few weeks ago going and coming for our cruise. It SEEMS (just my observations) that the real problems being attributed to Delta are actually for flights via their partner Song.

The nasty thing about that is that it isn't immediately apparent that it is Song and not Delta as they are flying planes with Delta markings.

Our flights between Grand Rapids and Atlanta were via another partner - Comair - no problems with scheduled changes or cancellations. We were on Delta proper from Atlanta going to Orlando but Song picked up the return Orlando to Atlanta leg and it was awful! Shear chaos and confusion, rude gate attendants, etc.

Suggestion - before booking call Delta directly and ask about the flights you're looking at. Request information on their cancellation and on time rate. Also ask if they are flights operated by Delta directly or the partner. If they tell you it is Song - express your hesitance. If enough people let them know Song is killing their reputation it may make a difference.

We had booked our air through DCL and they selected Delta flights that were pretty stable so even when Song picked up the one homeward leg we weren't too worried about cancellation. Look for flights that generally fly full or close to it.

Good luck!
Deb

 

[CRABTOWNER]

DMoss3377


If you are close to an airport that Airtran flies out of, such as BWI if you are from N-VA, I would highly recommend them. I have flown with them a few times in the last 18 months, and I have not one complaint. The planes are new and clean, the prices are as good or better than Southwest, and you get seat assignments which is not the case with Southwest. I can't stand the "cattle herding" boarding that Southwest uses.
My family and I will be flying again with Airtran next week, $148.00 per person RT from MD before taxes and airport charges, to get to our favorite vacation destination, The Disney Magic, for our 4th Disney cruise, and I am sure we will have the same "on time" service that we have experienced in the past with Airtran.
Check out their website and keep checking if you have time because the prices are always changing, the supply and demand thing. Airtran has ALWAYS been cheaper when I look to book flights. And their website is the easiest I have seen to book online. Good Luck.

 

[armyfamily]

I just checked AirTran's site! They are having a special now. Depending on which day you are leaving they have a direct flight from BWI to orlando $65.00 each way or Dulles to Orlando via Atlanta for $75.00 each way.

Good Luck.

Lisa

 

[DMoss3377]

Airtran....hhhmmm, never even thought of BWI. I'll definitly check it out...thanks.

 

[PlaneJoy]

Delta is currently having a "win back the customer" campaign. They realize that for the past couple of years the focus has been on the bottom line, and not the customer, but for good reason - survival. They have changed their focus to the customer, which should provide a better experience in the future. Every airline has had multiple flight changes and the like due to the economy and trying to get the right mix in every market. Song is a new product for Delta, so I'm sure they are having their share of getting the "new" out.

Airtran is good option as noted in previous posts.

Good luck - and going down the day before is a great idea. We did it and will continue to do it in the future.

-joy

 

[DMoss3377]

The date we're sailing seems to be limited on options that fit our budget...well, not so much our budget as our friends.

I checked into flying in the night before and unfortunately we'd need to fly in the evening, which doesn't work out to be much cheaper than flying in Sat, when you consider hotel cost, although it does save us the hassle and worry of not making it in on time.

I've got to sit down with my friends and see what they can do, regarding work, etc. We were planning on flying in Saturday morning, then flying out the following Sunday since most flights on Saturday aren't until 5pm anyway, which means a whole day at the airport. So maybe we'll need to fly in Friday stay the night, and fly out Saturday. We were hoping to stay at the Hyatt right there in the airport. Could someone tell me how DCL bus transfers work if you stay at the Hyatt the night before, rather than flying in that morning? Also, how much is a day room at the Hyatt, so that when we get back, maybe we can rent a room until our flights instead of staying the night and flying out Sunday or sitting in the terminal all day waiting for our flight?

Thanks

Oh, and BWI with Airtran doesn't work out much better price wise, right now at least for the times we'd need. And the other airlines are only offering connector flights, which I've had enough trouble with when checking luggage and would rather avoid.

Thx

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

When you fly in the night before and stay at the Hyatt, you tell them upon check in that you are sailing with DCL the next day.

They will give you a packet of information but essentially, if you're using the DCL transfer you put the luggage they are going to transport (everything but your carryons) outside with the ship tags on by 8:30 in the morning. Then head for the lobby and get in line to check in for the bus.

The info will tell you this starts at 9:30 but be there my 9 if you want to get on the first bus and be at the port at a reasonable time. The line gets really long otherwise. Once you check in you can relax a bit although they will sort of herd you into a conference room to fill out docs. If those are done you can actually wait in the lobby. They'll call out the name of the bus and lead you out to the Hyatt lobby to your bus and it is off to the port.

Deb

 

[xnascar2x]

If you can fly out of an aiport that services ATA or Spirit, I'm sure that you can find a good deal on airfare. I'm flying Spirit out of Chicago O'hare to Orlando for our 7 night cruise and I got airfare for DW and myself for $330 total, non-stop round trip. I thought that was a great deal.

ATA is another great airline. I have flown them to Vegas and we got a really good deal.

 

[PlaneJoy]

I don' t know how many of you are traveling but it may be cheaper to rent a car from Orlando to the Port and then the return (essentially two, one-way rentals), or hire a service. We did this in June and made out cheaper for the 4 of us, even with having to rent an infact seat with the car.

Something to look into anyway.

-joy

 

[DMoss3377]

Hi,

we actually thought about doing that, our friends and us will be celebrating wedding anniversaries, but as they did not get a honeymoon, they are using this trip as such. My DH and I thought of renting a town car and treating them, but they are excited to do it the DCL way, with the bus and the video you watch when going, to build anticipation.

So we figured we'd do something else like have a basket of goodies waiting for them in their stateroom or something.

But thanks for the thought.

 

[DMoss3377]

I had time this weekend to speak with a friend of mine who flies Delta at least twice a week on business. He made me feel pretty confident in their service and that I would like flying Song, since they are suppose to be a little more roomy and luxurious. He's been wanting to fly Song but hasn't had the opportunity yet but has heard nothing but good things from co-workers who fly them frequently.

Besides that, they are still the least expensive of all the flights we were looking at, by almost half.

I'll be sure to include a report on the flights in my trip report when we return.

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Farms]

Crabtowner:

We're in Baltimore and leaving in November. How early did you book??