Inexperienced at booking flights...Need HELP! please????

[disney0928]

I have flown to Orlando only 5 times, out of 20+ trips to the area. All of these flights have been booked by someone other than me (travel agent, or as a child, by my parents). I hear all the time how you can save money booking online yourself, but I just don't want to make any mistakes, lol!

We are booked for Pop Century on Aug 23-29. Normally we would drive, but vacation restrictions at DH's work place make this impossible, we'd have to cut our trip by 1 day on each end.

So, we live north of Boston. Logan Airport is only 20 minutes away. Song, JetBlue and American all have direct flights, price varies from 641-almost 1000. This depends on time of day, etc. We are using DME, so JetBlue is not a preferred carrier, so we'd have to negotiate the luggage through the airport for return flight on our own, American is most expensive, and I don't personally know anyone who has flown Song, so I don't know what to expect.

Also, how long should I wait to book the flights? Do they tend to go up or down in price? I am booking for the 4 of us, DH and DS's x2 (ages 3 & 6).

Orrrrr....... Should I see if family can drive us to Manchester, NH for a Southwest flight? Haven't even priced them yet, and do they participate in DME?

OK. I think I'm done for now. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[debster812]

I just priced an SWA flight out of Manchester for you, and the R/T non stops are ALL available for your dates at $79 each way. Total for one R/T ticket is $175.40 (decent price for out of the NE--you can do better, but you could also do a lot worse). SWA is not a participating airline, so you would also have to navigate your own luggage on your return trip, but it's not that big a hassle.

To my mind, anything under $200 for a round trip, non stop out of this part of the country is a good price. Yes, you can go lower, but we are currently looking at an almost $400 RT BOS to Ft Myers.

We've flown Song several times, and quite enjoyed it. On time, individual TVs at every seat, and they got us where we needed to be.

I think I hit most of your points, any further questions, fire away!

 

[fran99999]

I fly both Song and Jetblue to/from Orlando for all my trips. They are both equal. Both have TV's in the back of the seats (this will keep the kids amused.

I checked Song and the $69 pp is about as low as it will get for this time of year. They may go to $59 but not likely as the cost of fuel has increase. Most flights are priced at $74 the 7:30 am leaving on the 29th so $69 is pretty good. Song is included in ME.

Jet Blue is a little more expensive but just as good a transporter.

FYI If I had 2 kids under 6 I would taked the bags to the bus with me. I took them to the bus for my May trip and was glad as ME is running a little slow on the bag to the room thing. I did place the ME tags on the bags but I did it at the airport prior to putting in the bottom of the bus, more for bell services.

I am going from Aug 13-27 and will be flying Song both ways as this was least expensive for me. See you at the POP.

Hope this helps

 

[Snoozan]

My sister has had good luck with Southwest out of Manchester. Also, if you book Southwest and the fares go down, you can get a credit towards a future flight(good for anyone, not just original flyer) or if you're lucky enough, get Southwest to credit the difference back to your credit card.

 

[disney0928]

Thank you for all the input! Now, I just gotta get the cc from DH, and this part is done

Hey Fran99999, we'll both be at Pop at same time? How cool! Are you flying Song from Logan? I hear their new terminal is set up very well, all on it's own. I think this is what we may end up doing, as I am having difficulty convincing any relatives to drive over an hour north early in the AM

As always, these boards are great!

 

[fran99999]

Yes my DS6 and I am flying out Sat night on Song $69. I will be the mother with the 6 year old redhead yelling: Benjamin, get back here or we are going home. LOL I will also be the old lady (47)with my Lime green ribbons in my hair.

Actually he is pretty well behaved when his father isnt around on the Mom/son trips. I was lucky to make CRT reservations( I was surprised I got them).