Flights from Winnipeg

[Lizziejane]

Hi,
I know some people have stated they got pretty good deals on flights from Wpg to MCO travelling in January - I'm just wondering, when might I expect to see deals become available? I'm sure the best deals are much closer to the travel dates, but part of me is terrified to leave booking the flights too long. We have a BWV rental that can't be changed, but at the same time, I don't want to book flights too early (right now, $900 each!).

Anyone know when's the best time to book flights for January from Winnipeg?

 

[canadianboy]

Hi, we are from Winnipeg and we booked our Mid October flight with westjet in May. For the three of use to fly we paid $1500.oo including taxes. Just check every day as it seems to change every few days.

 

[grover]

I usually just keep checking until I find a price I am good with..

 

[BellyBaby]

If you are renting a car anyways, check out allegiantair.com, they have flights to Orlando-Sanford airport from Fargo, ND for very good prices. If you watch (everyday) you can find flights as low as $29 one way. My parents and my daughter flew out here (I'm in FL now) for $250 after taxes for all 3, one way. Return flights are often $79 each. Sanford airport is about 45 min. North East of Orlando, and parking at Fargo airport is about $35 for the week. We cab it to the Budget (location code SN9) about $20 fare after tip b/c the rental rate is far better than at the airport, and you can return the car to the airport location for no extra charge. Google Budget codes for a discount, and you have a very affordable vacation.

We fly Allegiant to Vegas too. I find the best prices are roughly 3 weeks prior to flying time, but it changes EVERY DAY, SOMETIMES MORE. But those $29 flights are worth it.

HAVE FUN

 

[b-1]

you never know when a good fare will pop up. the fares change from morning to evening too! If you see something you like, jump on it because it might not be there tomorrow. I'm watching for december and it's still at $770 and goes up to $880 or so. I would like $500 ( including taxes and fees) otherwise we're driving to fargo and flying to sanford.

 

[Lizziejane]

I must admit, I'd never heard of Allegiant air - their price right now for January is $275 return, US. Only problem is, they don't have flights everyday, and we'd have to stay an extra day. We have rental points for DVC so that one extra night could be a problem (no way anyone will want to move from BWV to Pop for the last night. If the extra night was at the front end, then maybe...

Does anyone worry about booking a trip in the winter, and the drive to Fargo? I'd be terrified of a storm and missing the flight.

 

[maxie]

Does anyone worry about booking a trip in the winter, and the drive to Fargo? I'd be terrified of a storm and missing the flight.

That's my concern too.

 

[b-1]

Don't forget to add in $30 per person per checked bag on Allegiant and Frontier arilines ( Frontier flies into MCO from Fargo). We've decided that we need to save at least $500 net ( after paying for parking and fuel and either a rental car from sanford or an airport limo from sanford to WDW) in order to make the drive to Fargo. ( there are 4 of us travelling) That way if we had to leave earlier to be ahead of a storm or stay an extra night to let a storm pass us by we have still saved some money. There is a "cost" to our time driving and we feel that at least a $500 savings would be worth our time investment.

 

[cpbjgc]

How are you watching the fares? When we have flown in the past, we always went with Northwest, as it was generally better priced than anyone else. You might want to use Kayak.com (if you aren't already) just to monitor the prices, and when you spot a low one, go to the actual airline site to book (it's usually cheaper).

Good luck!

 

[Lizziejane]

I've used aeroplan miles previously, and wasn't thrilled with the connections and timing of everything.

I'm watching AC, Westjet, NW and United on a site called Sidestep. I also have alerts set up with FareCompare. I guess I should re-word my question - if I spot a price of $550, I'd grab it. But how long should I wait? I mean, there's a chance that price may show up in December. Do I wait that long? i'd be nervous of not getting seats at all. Really - that's my question at this point - how long would you comfortably wait for the right price before booking?

 

[cpbjgc]

Hey, we'll be down there in January as well (flying down the 22nd on WestJet using airmiles), maybe we'll see you there!

In answer to your restated question, I would book, by the latest, late October, early November (that's just me though, I like to know the flight is in place). The seat sales for January should start by then. Even after booking, I would keep watching the fares. One time we were flying Northwest in January and the fares changed in December. Even with change fees, we were able to save around $500 on 4 tickets.

I hope you score a good fare!

 

[Lizziejane]

Hey, we'll be down there in January as well (flying down the 22nd on WestJet using airmiles), maybe we'll see you there!

In answer to your restated question, I would book, by the latest, late October, early November (that's just me though, I like to know the flight is in place). The seat sales for January should start by then. Even after booking, I would keep watching the fares. One time we were flying Northwest in January and the fares changed in December. Even with change fees, we were able to save around $500 on 4 tickets.

I hope you score a good fare!

Thank you - that's what I was looking for! Now the problem is, I don't know if I can wait that long - I'm such a control freak and like everything in place a.s.a.p.!

And yes we will be there the same time - we are booked at the BWV from January 24 - February 1!

 

[TheMightyOb]

Well, I started looking about 4months prior to th trip and found westjet flights for 189. (plus all the taxes and fares) so it worked out to about 500 per person (family of 4) I chose to use my Airmiles, and it still cost me 235 per person PLUS its the first time my DD's will be flying so I wanted to be sure we were all sitting together and that cost an extra 160 bucks.

OT, but I can't believe they charge for that...10 bucks per seat per PLANE. so they charge it even on the connetcing flights...holy hell.

 

[Sue M]

We make the 3 hr drive to Seattle to fly. Stay over night at a hotel (Mariott Springhill or Towne Suites) that lets you leave your car for free. Even with hotel it's cheaper than trying to fly out of Vancouver. $250 RT (tax & fees incl) just can't be beat.

 

[averysmom]

We flew allegiant for March Break - it WAS stressful because this is when Fargo flooded and we were scared that our van was going to be floating down the red river by the time we got back. In reality, the hotel were we stayed was never in any danger, but we did call once when we were down there.

I'd fly allegiant again in a second (especially since we flew for just under 100 US each - my final total was 490 CDN for the 4 of us to fly during SPRING BREAK!!!!) and TBH, I am totally ticked at them for not flying during free dining!!!

We are flying out of minneapolis for the first time - 760 CDN for the 4 of us with NWA. For the same dates, on the same carrier, flying from Winnipeg was going to be 2400 CDN. So even after you add on gas, and hotel on either side (we don't know how we'll feel coming back - we have a room reserved just in case), food costs, we figure we've saved at least 1200 (maybe more) by driving down. For us, it makes it worth it.

 

[dhluvsDisney]

We always fly out of MSP. We usually go down at least twice a year. We have flown in Dec/Jan a number of times. We usually make sure we give ourselves plenty of time to get there. We also watch the weather very carefully. Generally, we drive direct, except in the winter. We then overnight it in Fargo at the Staybridge, and then drive to MSP. Coming back, it depends on the weather. Sometimes we make it straight thru, and others we stop in Fargo or Grand Forks coming home.

 

[dozermusic]

Whenever going to the States, I always flew through Minneapolis with Northwest because the couple times I did Air Canada through Toronto, it took forever to collect my bags and change terminals.
I was reading in another thread about people not changing terminals anymore, or is that only for West Jet?
Northwest had good flights but now they changed their schedule and the flights are really bad for when we go.
I noticed United flies through Chicago with good times, but I have never been to that airport. Anyone have experience? Do you get to go through customs in Winnipeg and stay in the terminal at Chicago like Northwest does for Minneapolis? The O'hare map shows an "International Terminal" so I was afraid of the whole collect your bags and change terminals thing.
Thanks for the help.

 

[SaskDisNut]

I noticed United flies through Chicago with good times, but I have never been to that airport. Anyone have experience? Do you get to go through customs in Winnipeg and stay in the terminal at Chicago like Northwest does for Minneapolis? The O'hare map shows an "International Terminal" so I was afraid of the whole collect your bags and change terminals thing.
Thanks for the help.

We did this in 2007. After flying from Regina to Winnipeg, we pre-cleared US customs in Winnipeg and flew to O'Hare and then on to Orlando. We were using Aeroplan miles so we didn't have much choice in having to fly this route with the points we had. However the connection at O'Hare was pretty simple despite the size of the airport. Our arrival gate was either on Concourse G or F. Our departure gate, also on United was Concourse C. So we had to take a shuttle bus from one to the other. The signs are clearly marked in the airport so it wasn't a problem to find the shuttle or our gate. We had time to grab something to eat before our Orlando flight.

We dropped our luggage on a belt in Winnipeg at US Customs and didn't have to touch our luggage until it showed up in our room (we used DME).

So if I had to go through O'Hare again I certainly wouldn't hesitate to do so.

We are driving to Minneapolis and flying NWA for our Oct. trip. The huge savings in airfare and an early morning departure to MCO made it an easy choice. We'll see if it is worth all the driving and might just have to do it again.

 

[dozermusic]

If I don't have to worry about customs and luggage in O'Hare, that is great.
So many flights only have about 60 minutes in between, so it seems like it wouldn't be enough time if I had to wait for my bags and all.

I'd like to drive to Minneapolis, but between adding 2 days for driving and that we won't save as much money as a large family does, it doesn't make it worth it for this trip right now.
I wish that North Dakota airline had flights when I am going...

 

[Lizziejane]

the real advantage of flying United or NW is that you clear customs in Winnipeg. This makes the connection in Chicago or Minneapolis so much easier. I HATE going through customs in Toronto, it is such a mess!

While I play the waiting game for seat sales, I'm hoping United or NW end up offering better deals than AC or WJ. I'm also finding their schedules a lot more attractive.