Help with international travel

[phorsenuf]

I've been searching for a decent airfare from Tampa to Kuwait, one way. My dates are flexible around the 17th of April. I'm willing to travel to a nearby airport if necessary. I have no qualms about going to Miami. Heck, I'll fly out of any airport if the price is right. I don't mind if I have to pick up a short haul somewhere else if it's going to save me a couple hundred. What sites do you like to use to compare fares? I've used Kayak, Webjet, Cheapo and of course Travelocity and Expedia. Have any tips?

I'm proficient in domestic travel but international makes me unsure for some reason.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It seems that international fares are really high right now. I did some checks for traveling April 17th, and a lot of flights are already really full - not a very good seat selection.

Looks like one way fares will run you (today) from about $968 to $1,300, depending on the airline and how many stops it makes. It doesn't look like choosing another nearby airport, such as Orlando, will make the ticket any cheaper. You really need to buy your ticket soon if you are traveling in less than a month. I would just chose a flight schedule and price I could live with and buy now.

 

[phorsenuf]

It seems that international fares are really high right now. I did some checks for traveling April 17th, and a lot of flights are already really full - not a very good seat selection.

Looks like one way fares will run you (today) from about $968 to $1,300, depending on the airline and how many stops it makes. It doesn't look like choosing another nearby airport, such as Orlando, will make the ticket any cheaper. You really need to buy your ticket soon if you are traveling in less than a month. I would just chose a flight schedule and price I could live with and buy now.

I had to wait to book until I had clearance from my Dr that I could fly internationally (had a PE in Nov.). The flight that pops up the most is MIA to CDG to BAH (I think it was BAH). I could score that for around $800. I don't know why everything has gone up so.
My deadline to book will be tomorrow morning so it is what it is at this point I guess.

 

[backyardponder]

Have you looked at just booking a ticket to somewhere in Europe (CDG, LHR, FRA, etc), then booking a ticket from that airport to BAH?

How about going the long way around, perhaps through Japan...again, doing a ticket to perhaps NRT and then a separate one NRT to BAH.

Hopefully some Pixie dust will help... and here's some more...

 

[phorsenuf]

Have you looked at just booking a ticket to somewhere in Europe (CDG, LHR, FRA, etc), then booking a ticket from that airport to BAH?

How about going the long way around, perhaps through Japan...again, doing a ticket to perhaps NRT and then a separate one NRT to BAH.

Hopefully some Pixie dust will help... and here's some more...

I did play around a bit that way too. Another option, which I haven't explored yet, is sometimes if you combine things, like a car or hotel, it can help bring it down some too. Although I won't need any of those once I hit Kuwait but perhaps a quick overnight somewhere might work.

Such a pain in the butt, but that's only because I'm cheap and love looking for bargains.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Have you looked at just booking a ticket to somewhere in Europe (CDG, LHR, FRA, etc), then booking a ticket from that airport to BAH?

How about going the long way around, perhaps through Japan...again, doing a ticket to perhaps NRT and then a separate one NRT to BAH.

Hopefully some Pixie dust will help... and here's some more...

Booking to another airport in Europe, then booking to Kuwait will usually not be cheaper. OP's flights will already be making a stop at a major European airport before continuing to Kuwait City.

Going through Narita would not be cheaper, it would about double the price of the ticket, plus it would crazy to add at least 10 more hours of travel unless you are trying to rack up airline mileage.

The flight that pops up the most is MIA to CDG to BAH (I think it was BAH). I could score that for around $800. I don't know why everything has gone up so

BAH is Bahrain. I thought you wanted to go to Kuwait?

Prices are going up because it is getting closer to your travel date, summer is coming, and fuel prices are climbing fast.

 

[phorsenuf]

Booking to another airport in Europe, then booking to Kuwait will usually not be cheaper. OP's flights will already be making a stop at a major European airport before continuing to Kuwait City.

Going through Narita would not be cheaper, it would about double the price of the ticket, plus it would crazy to add at least 10 more hours of travel unless you are trying to rack up airline mileage.

The flight that pops up the most is MIA to CDG to BAH (I think it was BAH). I could score that for around $800. I don't know why everything has gone up so

BAH is Bahrain. I thought you wanted to go to Kuwait?

Prices are going up because it is getting closer to your travel date, summer is coming, and fuel prices are climbing fast.

Yes, I'm going to Kuwait. I forget the rest of the leg which is BAH to KWI.

I think what makes me nervous about booking internationally is the restricted fares. I'm so use to SW which lets you change or cancel with no penalties. I will be picking up insurance though in case something pops up.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I never fly on unrestricted tickets. Don't worry, it's usually fine. If you do buy insurance, make sure you read the policy carefully so you understand what will be covered and what will not.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Recommend that you call a travel agent and see what they can find. Even if they charge you a fee, it could still save you hundreds of dollars. Travel agents can use consolidators which have access to unpublished international fares. They're particularly useful for one way fares.

BobK/Orlando

 

[phorsenuf]

Didn't bite the bullet today. I appreciate all the help and suggestions.

 

[backyardponder]

Booking to another airport in Europe, then booking to Kuwait will usually not be cheaper. OP's flights will already be making a stop at a major European airport before continuing to Kuwait City.

Going through Narita would not be cheaper, it would about double the price of the ticket, plus it would crazy to add at least 10 more hours of travel unless you are trying to rack up airline mileage.

I'm sure you are right, but OP was looking for creative suggestions on possible ways to reduce the fare. You can't say that going through Narita would be double the fare unless you check. It might be double, but crazy things go on with airfares and you never know for sure unless you check.

As far as adding 10 more hours of travel...that's OP's decision based on airfare.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm sure you are right, but OP was looking for creative suggestions on possible ways to reduce the fare. You can't say that going through Narita would be double the fare unless you check. It might be double, but crazy things go on with airfares and you never know for sure unless you check.

As far as adding 10 more hours of travel...that's OP's decision based on airfare.

The only way it would be cheaper to go through Narita to get to Kuwait from Tampa would be a mistake airfare. My husband and I travel internationally quite a bit, so I am pretty familiar with airfares and even though I did check the price of going through Narita (which confirmed the cost), I didn't need to to know that the cost would be high. As for travel time, it's up to the individual as to what they are willing to put up with to save a hundred dollars or two. For me, adding 10 or more hours of actual flight time, not to mention ground time and possible delays, it wouldn't be worth it, unless I were doing a mileage run. I understand other people would do it; good for them.

 

[phorsenuf]

The only way it would be cheaper to go through Narita to get to Kuwait from Tampa would be a mistake airfare. My husband and I travel internationally quite a bit, so I am pretty familiar with airfares and even though I did check the price of going through Narita (which confirmed the cost), I didn't need to to know that the cost would be high. As for travel time, it's up to the individual as to what they are willing to put up with to save a hundred dollars or two. For me, adding 10 or more hours of actual flight time, not to mention ground time and possible delays, it wouldn't be worth it, unless I were doing a mileage run. I understand other people would do it; good for them.

I may be looking cheap but I can't imagine adding on another 10 hours. This flight will be pushing it to my limits already. LOL But anything is worth considering.