HELP, HELP, HELP -- ? re Expedia - Has anyone done this?

[MELSMICE]

I am looking for flights for next April - peak season. Unfortunately I believed DH who said that when JetBlue flights became available the fares would probably be lower - well they're not!!

Anyway, I have been on every airline site & internet low fare site for days now trying to get good fares. There are 5 of us travelling - 2 adults, 3 children - 14, 11, 11.

I just was on Expedia again. When I ask for 5 fares I get $315 & up - YIKES. I put in each traveller individually & was able to get fares of $199 each.

My questions are:

--Has anyone ever done this? I am afraid that when I go to put in the credit care info, etc. that one of us will be "locked out" or something & it will say something like "that flight no longer available".

--I had to put in all travellers as adults because they wouldn't accept children flying alone on Expedia. When they get to the airport would they turn my kids away because they are listed as adults. Because of their ages they obviously don't have driver's licenses, just school ID's & birth certificates.

I am thinking I should just book these, but I have many reservations about it also. I haven't used Expedia before so I don't know what there like, although I have booked & bought many things on line so I don't have a problem with that.

HELP!!!

 

[KathyR]

What is more than likely going on is there are not 5 seats on the flight at the rate you want. Have you tried to do 2 or 3 or 4 to see if that works?

Also, check the actual airlines website. They usually have the same fares or less than expedia and travelocity and orbitz. All of these sites are reputable, so there are no worries there. I just prefer booking through the actual airlines site.

I don't think I would take a chance at putting them in as adults. It is not worth the trouble it MAY cause later.

When exactly is your trip (Easter/Spring Break or other)? And what airport are you flying out of? This info may help experienced travellers help you out

 

[MELSMICE]

We are flying out of Buffalo, NY.

If I try to make a ressie with a party of 2 or 3 the rate is either $221 or $261, which is still not bad for peak time. I tried Orbitz & Travelocity & got much higher rates. I went to the airline website & whether I put in 1 traveller or 5 traveller's together I got a rate of $300 plus.

I am very hesitant to start to book these & then all of a sudden 3 tickets are accepted & it says this flight full or something. I'm leaning towards continuing my search for 5 of us on the same ressie.

I knew I should have booked them when I wanted to instead of listening to DH. I told him "From now on all vacation planning is done by me. How stupid I was to listen to you!!!"

 

[safetymom]

Why not call Expedia and ask them how you should do it?

 

[peg2001]

Melsmice,

Take a deep breath! I know how difficult and frustrating it can be to try to get the best fares for a whole family.

Just as was explained, there is probably only 1 fare left at the $199. If it is still there, snag it. I would go ahead and just make the reservations 1 or 2 at a time to get the best fares possible. It is highly unlikely that there would not be enough tickets for all of you if you were to do this in one sitting. I wouldn't wait weeks between making the reservations though.

As for calling the kids "adults" when reserving online, I have always done that and it is NOT a problem. This just means that you are not asking for or getting an infant or child/youth fare. If anyone will be using a carseat, I would call the airline after you have the reservation and ask that they make a note of that.

Peggy

 

[prncess674]

The flights could not possibly be booked full for next April. If you book them as separate ressies you can always call the airline and have your "PNR" s linked as one big reservation.

If you PM your flight details (Days, airlines, and flight numbers) I have some advanced booking tools at my disposal I can look into your flight and give you some more info.

Rachel