Getting really worried about airfare!

[harleyquinn]

Can all of you ease my mind or give me some advice?

Because of some factors I have not bought my air tickets yet. I can now go ahead and book. The problem is, it's so much more expensive than when I first started looking! And the times of the flights are horrible!

The only good fare I've seen is with Transmeridian who I am affraid of after reading threads on them around here.

TMA would save me $150, but I'd have to stay an extra day (I'm really torn up about that! ) And they have awesome flight times out and back. As it is now, if I book with the next best price I'b be getting to WDW at around 10pm an leaving the last day at like 7am. That really cuts into touring times.

Should I take the chance with TMA, spend less and have A LOT more time at WDW, or go with the safe route and really miss out on a lot of time? Or should I continue to wait to book and risk spending even more?

PLEASE Help!!

 

[maciec]

What are your travel dates?

Can you fly on SWA or AirTran?

What worked for me: ... We are going October 23-30. I signed up for Travelocity's Fare Watcher and I checked it several times daily. Finally, one day 2 weeks ago I saw it go down to a price that I was willing to pay ($217 including taxes. that was down from $274). So I snatched them up. I had to call UsAir because I had to buy a seat for my ds who is an infant. We can only fly on UsAir because they are the only carrier out of our little airport. In the meantime, prices went up 12 hours later. Actually, I don't even think it was 12 hours. Moral of the story.....thank heaven I signed up for the Fare Watcher or I wouldn't have gotten tickets at these prices. And we got great flight times and seats.

You have to keep checking and don't give up.

Good Luck!
Melissa

 

[CarolA]

TMA is going to be cheaper no matter what.

The big risk with them is that if there are mechanical or weather delays you could be stuck. They have no requirement to move you to another airline as a charter. Safety is not an issue.

Now if they are saving you $150 per person maybe it is worth the extra day. However, there is another night in hotel, meals, parking at the airport and maybe a rental car to factor in. SO $150 for the family is not doing much here!

Without your dates it is hard to say what airfares are doing, but overall things are going up! Gas prices are up, tourism is up therefore airfare is up.

 

[harleyquinn]

We are going June 19-27th.

The main thing is that not only will we save $150, but we'll basically have 2 more days to tour the parks!

We would only need the room ($99 w/tax) and meals. I am willing to spend the extra money here to have more time on my honeymoon.

Thanks for responding! Sorry about leaving out my dates!

 

[harleyquinn]

I'm also a Farefinder member, but as we were not sure we'd actually be going (with the wedding and buying a house) we didn't book.
So I've been watching the fares climb helplessly.

 

[CarolA]

I am not sure what to tell you. Airfare bookings appear to be up and jet fuel is WAY up. If I were you , I would be tempted to go with TMA. Now as soon as I tell you this the airlines will have a "sale", but it seems to me that there are far fewer sales lately.

 

[Aisling]

My sister has flown TMA twice out of Syracuse NY to MCO with great fares, great times, and no problems whatsoever. Her travel agent recommended TMA to her because the TA uses that airline frequently.
I would go with TMA!

 

[CDisney]

harleyquinn,

Like you I faced the same dilemma and finally just took the plunge and booked TMA. I couldn't pass up the great fare and flight times. Plus, several co-workers have used the airline and have been very happy with the service.

TMA got a bad reputation on the boards when some flights were cancelled back in September during a travel lull. I haven't seen anything since other than cautions from those who want to ensure that travelers are well-informed about TMA's charter status and its limitations.

 

[debster812]

I am sure TMA will be fine for you, but have you also looked at Southwest into either Orlando OR Tampa. (Tampa is a quick 90 minute at the most ride).

 

[Minnie554]

Hi,

Hope this helps. I am flying from St. Pete, to Cleveland in July with USA 3000. They are super cheap. You can also try Southeast airlines, flyseal.com. The one way fare was $69.

Gina

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks everyone!!

DF and I are thinking about driving. Both of us really enjoy road trips and we have plenty of time off for the honeymoon, so we'll take it easy. We also changed the dates to June 21-28, which lowers the airfare with Continental if we decide to go that way.

I think TMA is the way to go but DF is a real fuddy-duddy when it comes to things he's never heard of. It took me a week to convince him that its ok to buy tickets from paramount.

I'd also like to try the drive out before we have kids, b/c once we do, we'll be driving down from then on.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[harleyquinn]

I did try southwest, southeast, and usa3000. They were all either too much, at horrible times or just not flying for our days.

DF REALLY wants to drive, so I guess I'm pretty stuck.

 

[simbaru4]

Can someone tell me if the Sanford Orlando Airport is the same as MCO Orlando? I was looking into flying from Syracuse, NY to MCO but wasn't sure it was correct. Thanks, Janice

 

[CarolA]

Nope,
Sanford is a different airport. About 30 minutes north of the Orlando (MCO) airport.

 

[Montana Minnies]

I can relate to your frustration. Mom and I were fortunate in getting a good rate with Delta for our trip in August to WDW. We have 6 other family members joining us and 4 of them will be flying out of Montana too. The problem is the one who has been planning the trip for the last 3 years is the only one so far who has been unable to get booked on a flight. The fares have been so high out of the MT. city she and my younger niece will be flying out of, or as mentioned the schedules are ridiculous. PATIENCE we keep telling her, but then I am getting impatient too. There are at least 5 of us keeping an eye out for the "fare watchers". She may end up booking out of Orbitz.com or Travelocity.com or Expedia.com because there is no way she will be left behind!
Anyway good luck on your search.

 

[Lori-n-NY]

Simbura4...

Check Delta flights out of SYR into MCO. I booked for July for $118.90 round trip. They have alot of dates for that price. I played around trying different dates from May thru Sept to see the price. Some were alittle higher but the $118.90 is awesome.

Good luck,.

Lori

 

[debden]

Wow,I wish we could fly out of Syracuse instead of Albany,New York! Southwest Airlines has our dates and flights up to $263.00
Round Trip!!!! That's outrageous! I know August 30-September 3 is a popular time to go but no way am I paying that much! Last year they went on sale for $119 RT at the beginning of August.
Guess I'll just have to take my own advice and wait and see where airfares from Upstate NY end up...Hopefully going down....
Debbie