Flight searches

[wayneg]

Just thought I would post a reminder or for anyone who doesn't know.
Always check Orbitz before booking. I have just booked Easter school hols to Atlanta for $774 (£500pp) cheapest on Kayak £778pp

For August to give you an idea I just entered random dates 18th-29th MAN~Daytona
Orbitz = $972 (£631)
Expedia = £938 for exactly same flights.

They are not always cheaper but I have used them for years now, sometimes pay in $ what it costs in £'s on UK sites, once when it was £2/£1 which made my flights half price that trip.

Always use a fee free credit card for best price.

 

[dixonsontour]

Good price, happy planning

 

[wayneg]

Good price, happy planning

Had a bit of a shock when I looked at car rental. Wanting 16 days rental, smallest SUV, Alamo over £900.
I guess Atlanta airport are selling fast for Easter weekend, if I change dates (collect & return) to 5 days later it more than halved the cost.
Thankfully I checked Hertz although sold out on a lot of models they still had Rav4 or similar at £409, Quidco tracked at £33 = £376 plus free additional driver being Hertz Gold.

 

[dixonsontour]

That sounds more like it. Are you still planning to come down to Orlando or just deep south?

 

[wayneg]

That sounds more like it. Are you still planning to come down to Orlando or just deep south?

Not sure, we were all set for spending 5 or 6 days in Orlando but the cost of the hotels are crazy for the dates I have looked at, normally we pay around £40 for a Fairfield Inn or Garden Inn by Hilton but they are £90+ no idea why, its 8 or 9 days after Easter weekend.
We are going to try do an itinerary later this week, definitely Nashville and New Orleans, really looking forward to both those again but we might try new places rather than Orlando.

 

[Woodview]

If you are flying into Atlanta & further Check out " Stone Mountain " near Atlanta

It is well worth a visit & there is a night time light show.

 

[Jon84]

Good searching skills Wayne!

I've been using US Rent a Car for Car rentals. Been getting pretty decent prices on Convertibles with them.

Interesting to note that Expedia is currently in the process of acquiring Orbitz

 

[wayneg]

If you are flying into Atlanta & further Check out " Stone Mountain " near Atlanta

It is well worth a visit & there is a night time light show.

Will have a look tonight, thank you.

Would appreciate any other recommendations from anyone.
Atlanta, Nashville to New Orleans is our main route but don't mind a 4-5 hour drive from there.

 

[wayneg]

Good searching skills Wayne!

I've been using US Rent a Car for Car rentals. Been getting pretty decent prices on Convertibles with them.

Interesting to note that Expedia is currently in the process of acquiring Orbitz

Checked them last night, they were lower than others but still crazy at £588 no cashback(see below). Booked with Hertz at £376, can cancel for £30 if I see better deal between now and March.
Not happy if Expedia buy Orbitz, They are far too expensive and they are useless with complaints, never resolved my last issue, overcharged my credit card for a hotel, only about £15 but annoying.

Silver
Unlimited Mileage, CDW, SLI, UMP, Basic Roadside Assistance, no excess, local taxes and Airport Surcharges

Select
£587.92

Secure with £50 Deposit

Gold
Unlimited Mileage, CDW, SLI, UMP, Basic Roadside Assistance, no excess, local taxes, Airport Surcharges, Additional Drivers and FirstTank of Fuel

Select
£716.71

Secure with £50 Deposit

Platinum
Unlimited miles, CDW, SLI, UMP, basic roadside cover, local taxes, airport fees, No excess, all additional drivers, tank of fuel, Windscreen, Tyre and Under Carriage Cover

Select
£756.71

 

[wilma-bride]

Will have a look tonight, thank you.

Would appreciate any other recommendations from anyone.
Atlanta, Nashville to New Orleans is our main route but don't mind a 4-5 hour drive from there.

Wayne, as you know we spent a week in the Atlanta area in August. Stone Mountain is great but it is a tough climb. There is a cable car which runs up and down though. Great views from the top.

I really enjoyed the Gone with the Wind Museum in Marietta. It is small but there is a lot of interesting memorabilia there, if you are into the movie at all (which I am). I also went to the Margaret Mitchell house in Atlanta, which was just OK. The tour was interesting but really short - I wouldn't bother with it again.

We saw a baseball game (Braves v Giants) at Turner Field, which was excellent. Great atmosphere.

Georgia aquarium was good - the whale sharks were fabulous. Botanical gardens were really good as well.

Food-wise, the Marietta Diner is a must visit. Food is great and the desserts are out of this world! We aso really enjoyed Dave Poe's BBQ, also in Marietta.

 

[Jon84]

Checked them last night, they were lower than others but still crazy at £588 no cashback(see below). Booked with Hertz at £376, can cancel for £30 if I see better deal between now and March.
Not happy if Expedia buy Orbitz, They are far too expensive and they are useless with complaints, never resolved my last issue, overcharged my credit card for a hotel, only about £15 but annoying.

Silver
Unlimited Mileage, CDW, SLI, UMP, Basic Roadside Assistance, no excess, local taxes and Airport Surcharges

Select
£587.92

Secure with £50 Deposit

Gold
Unlimited Mileage, CDW, SLI, UMP, Basic Roadside Assistance, no excess, local taxes, Airport Surcharges, Additional Drivers and FirstTank of Fuel

Select
£716.71

Secure with £50 Deposit

Platinum
Unlimited miles, CDW, SLI, UMP, basic roadside cover, local taxes, airport fees, No excess, all additional drivers, tank of fuel, Windscreen, Tyre and Under Carriage Cover

Select
£756.71

You got a good deal then

Expedia also own Hotels.com, it will be interesting to see what happens with prices. My friends works for Hotels.com so I can ask him!

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes we liked stone mountain park too. I know we did coca cola museum in Atlanta. We also went down to Avery island Louisiana where they make tabasco hot sauce.

In New Orleans we did a southern comfort cocktail tour. I've just googled and they still do it. Was really good a tour guide walked you around bars telling you the history and each one you could get a different cocktail. I had actually just found out I was pregnant so couldn't drink but I still enjoyed the tour.

http://www.viator.com/tours/New-Orleans/New-Orleans-Original-Cocktail-Walking-Tour/d675-3780ST

http://www.trustedtours.com/store/new-orleans-original-cocktail-tour.aspx

 

[dixonsontour]

I didn't realise expedia owned hotels.com until we checked in at vero beach and they kept referring to our expedia booking (I'd booked with hotels.com)

 

[wayneg]

Thanks to both of you, will look tonight.

I didn't realise expedia owned hotels.com until we checked in at vero beach and they kept referring to our expedia booking (I'd booked with hotels.com)

Yes, took them over. Not good. Competition is getting less and less, Expedia taking over all these companies is bad news for the consumer.

 

[bex7583]

i have never used orbitz will bear it in mind next time , unfortunatley we already booked our 2016 flights