Here is what is stopping me from visiting more often --- airfare

[snowwhitemom]

Not sure if someone already suggested this.....but try Sidestep.

You download it and it compares all airlines saving you time and $$$$,

I also have DING from Southwest.....good luck.

We are sooooo lucky I can fly anywhere form 29 to 59 from Va to Florida. So for our family the rent a car cost more than the airfare. We fly allegiant air and southwest.

 

[mikesmom]

We have Southwest credit cards and use them for EVERYTHING - groceries, business expenses, gasoline, whatever. Even used them for DS tuition payments when he was in college. It helps that DH and I each have a business - those points pile up when you are charging computers, phone bills, etc. We also pay in full each month (or there would be no savings). Points have piled up fast enough that we haven't paid for airfare in over 5 years. Includes flying the kids in to join us from Seatlle and Dallas, respectively.

 

[tomandrobin]

We figured the kids don't have at shot in college, so have been tapping their college funds!

 

[Dean]

We figured the kids don't have at shot in college, so have been tapping their college funds!

Been there, done that. $20K so my youngest could hang out and not go to class for a year. So we invited him to come home, get a job and go to the local CC. He's doing much better and just graduated from the CC and moving on to FSU (as much as that pains me).

 

[murcor]

We have Southwest credit cards and use them for EVERYTHING - groceries, business expenses, gasoline, whatever. .

Same here but it is not SW ( we are in Canada )

The points add up fast, we can generally get 3-4 tkts per year.

If we had to purchase tkts we would be looking at $3000 for a family of 4.

Either way, instead of multiple short vacations we do one 10 -14 day Disney vacation.

With the price of airfare, that is the only way we can do it

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I remember 'back in the day' paying $275 to Orlando was a good deal. Then I got used to paying $90-$100, which was great. Now it seems that it is hard to find flights under $200, which makes the short trips more expensive than they were just a couple years ago.

 

[flexsmom]

Just picked up a r/t on Southwest from DC to MCO for $129 the week following Memorial Day weekend. Then also got $170 pp r/t for our 4-night DCL in August. I caught myself for a moment getting upset that it was $40 more than the deal I got for later this month, then realized what a steal they both were!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I remember 'back in the day' paying $275 to Orlando was a good deal. Then I got used to paying $90-$100, which was great. Now it seems that it is hard to find flights under $200, which makes the short trips more expensive than they were just a couple years ago.

Love your sig!!!

 

[Disneholic]

Have you thought about the auto train out of Lorton VA? I posted on the transportation section how we just got round trip, mini van, 2 adults, 3 kids in August for $689. They are running a special where kids ride free. Sure beats the price of gas possibly going up to $4.50/$5.00/gal. by then. We are locked into the price, dont have to worry about luggage restrictions because everything stays in your vehicle (no-you have to take the kids with you!). Plus you have transportation while at DW. We've drove many times and have done the auto train before. Planes--in my opinion, it's gravitationally not possible for them to be up in the sky!

 

[Josh125]

One thing I didn't see mentioned that saved us a almost $300 this past X-Mas was to fly in to Tampa (TPA). The one way rental car was only 50 dollars each way so we netted a savings of $200 and were only out 1 hour of time.

 

[Laxmom]

I can't say as I have any great advice to offer. You might sign up on Travelocity airfare watch or check out Bestfares.com. I have been a member of BF for over 6 years now..I've gotten some great deals thru there in years past. Try for a DING from SW.

We are on the outskirts of Dayton, Ohio and have flown to Disney for the last 5 years. This year we are driving. Being as there are 4 of us...the cheapest airfare we could find would put us at spending $1,000 for the fare alone! We are driving and have calculated at $4.00 per gallon (est high) and it should cost us about $170 each way. That sure beats $1,000. Plus not to mention we are tired of the airport issues...the security...the parking...the delayed flights...the extra bag charges...etc. I'm looking forward to jumping in my van and just going. We timed it last year from the time we left our house and actually got to Orlando...it was right at 8 hours. For about 6 more hours...we have all of the stuff we wanted to bring (not to mention what we return with..lol)...plus we have our own vehicle so no rental. I'm quite looking forward to it (and believe me, I have flown a great deal and enjoy it)

How far away from the world are you in driving time? (we are about 14-15 hours)

Hi Neighbor!! Kings Island area here! We are driving for the first time in July. This is a last minute trip on a shoe string.

One thing I didn't see mentioned that saved us a almost $300 this past X-Mas was to fly in to Tampa (TPA). The one way rental car was only 50 dollars each way so we netted a savings of $200 and were only out 1 hour of time.

I agree with that!! We can save a lot when we fly into Tampa. We are also really lucky that we have 5 major airports within 2 hours of here. We can save $100 or better per person by flying out of someplace other than Cincinnati! On our flight for our cruise we are going out of Indy and saved $75 per person for 6 of us. That to me is worth the 2 hour drive.

 

[rutgers1]

I was thinking of flying from another aiport but then dropped that when I realized that I would have to drive to that airport and pay to have my car sit there for a couple weeks. What is the fee that most airports charge per day for that service?

 

[Laxmom]

It varies. For us, Columbus is cheaper at $5 to $7 per day. Cincy is higher but we can usually get a coupon that reduces it to $8 or so. When we fly out of Indy, we go over and spend the night on hotel points and they let us park our car for the week for free. We take their shuttle to and from the airport.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

We fly Wednesday to Wednesday for cheaper fares. DH likes having a short work week on both ends of vacation.

Sign up for email alerts from the airlines. Airtran and Southwest have been a wonderful addition to PIT.

Join the frequent flyer club for several airlines.

Check fares very early, then be ready to purchase when you see a deal.

We do the exact same thing right now SW has te airfare Wed to Wed for $89 each way. Just bought the tickets today we are going in July

 

[Dawn414]

As others have said, if you can be flexible with your travels, that is the best. I was playing around on SWs site yesterday and found R/T rate of between $139-$149 p/p. Then I did the "shortcut" area so I could play around and look at the whole month knowing that it might be tough to get the rooms I wanted only 1-2 months out. Now, granted we are flying out of Philly at 9pm at night, but it means I won't have to take a vacation day that day and the kids will sleep on the plane on the way down. So, I'm willing to fly at crazy times (non-stop) in order to get the cheaper rate. I also agree that if you have the extra day or two where you can drive, that's great too. We're staying off property next April for Easter and are planning on driving down. And then there's the frequent flyer programs. With AMEX's points, you can transfer them to SW and get certificates for free airfare. We have four certificates I'm (HOPING) to use for around Thanksgiving (because the airfare is REALLY high for that time. If we don't get it, we'll be driving...but hopefully we get it. Happy hunting!

Dawn McG

 

[50 years Too!]

This does not necessarily work for everyone, but I am a big believer in the airline mileage card. We've managed to find a card that is for an airline that also flys direct to Orlando from where we live (Seattle), each year we get a $50 companion fare coupon as part of the card (it does have a annual fee), and we use the card to fun all purchases and pay it off each month. We've been able to use it on three trips now where we get two tickets completely for free, buy one ticket full fare and one ticket for $50 using the companion fare rate. That is 4 tickets for the price of one (plus $50).

It does help if you travel for work purposes, allowing miles to build up faster.

Don't you love Alaska's mileage plan and credit card? (I assume this is the one you are talking about). I think it beats all the others hands
down!

Deb

 

[50 years Too!]

Oh, and by the way Bigsmouth, you can get a card in your name and your sig other or spouse's name and have two companion fares a year! Also, the sign up mileage. That's what my DH and I did. Also check out the dining promotion going on right now.

Deb

 

[bfrosty]

We timed it last year from the time we left our house and actually got to Orlando...it was right at 8 hours. For about 6 more hours...we have all of the stuff we wanted to bring (not to mention what we return with..lol)...plus we have our own vehicle so no rental.

Are you talking 8hrs to fly there? Because if you were driving...you would have to average 118MPH.

We take the red eye out on Sunday and fly back on Fridays on SWA and last October I got $175RT....$750 for a family of 4.

My friends drive it in their Honda Odessey and they make pretty good time...the roads all down through Atlanta are actually much better than years ago.

When we take the red eye at 6:30 or 7:30...we get to our hotel about 1pm....so about 6hrs. To drive it would take 15hrs @ 1000mi. Plus, a couple of hours for stops and meals (17hrs)...an extra 11hrs.

I prefer waking up early and having my toes in the sand after lunch and not 2-days later.

=)) To each their own.
Bfrosty

 

[50 years Too!]

Well leave it to the knowledgeable dissers to break the news about my beloved PDX-MCO direct flight being tanked!

It was a great year of no transferring to get to DW. I had to change my October and December flights to go through Seattle. 3 hours added to my trip.

Oh well, the mouse is worth it.

Deb

 

[bigsmooth]

Don't you love Alaska's mileage plan and credit card? (I assume this is the one you are talking about). I think it beats all the others hands
down!

Deb

Yep, there is a good reason why Alaska wins the best mileage plan every year. Definitely the most flexible.