Las Vegas - Best time to book flights? Misc transportation questions....

[nw6675]

So, DH and I just decided to take a kid-free trip to Vegas in March. We've probably been 20+ times over the years, so we are well-versed in actually being there. I need help on the flights! We are looking to fly from RDU in March on Delta. We're slightly closer to RIC, but prefer RDU.

When is the ideal timeframe or day of the week to book? Are Tuesdays still generally the cheapest? Looking to fly first class for comfort if that makes a difference.

Would you stick with flying through ATL on the way to LAS given that will be early March? I'm nervous about the MSP connection due to weather.

Similar on the way home. Cheapest option and ideal flight times is connecting through SLC. Should I just pony up and stick with ATL that direction, too in case of bad weather?

Or does it really not matter where you connection is since everybody gets the trickle effect of canceled and delayed flights?

Thanks DIS experts. @fly girl I'm channeling you right now my friend!

 

[_19disnA]

Not sure that cheap and flying first class go together. I prefer non-stop flights when traveling long distances since stopping anywhere along the way adds 2+ hrs to the total travel time and brings other variables into the mix. If non-stop isn't possible/available, I do think ATL is a better choice than MSP for March when you could be dealing with a snowstorm in that part of the country. The larger airlines also have more daily flights so even if one flight has issues, chances are there will be another flight later that same day.

Most airline websites let you search for a range of dates to see what the lowest fare options might be. Vegas is a popular travel destination, so I would try to book flights once you have confirmed your travel plans. The best flight options usually sell out first to popular destinations and then the fare jumps to the next higher category. Websites such as Orbitz or Google Flight Search also allow you to easily compare prices though every airline won't show on those sites.

 

[_19disnA]

I picked some random dates in March and you can see the typical results for non-stops with Orbitz. Notice the 1-stop flights are also lower in price but some have excessively long layovers. Frontier in particular shows some connecting flights that are so long I wouldn't ever consider those as practical. Business/first class will clearly be more expensive.

 

[fly girl]

So, DH and I just decided to take a kid-free trip to Vegas in March. We've probably been 20+ times over the years, so we are well-versed in actually being there. I need help on the flights! We are looking to fly from RDU in March on Delta. We're slightly closer to RIC, but prefer RDU.

When is the ideal timeframe or day of the week to book? Are Tuesdays still generally the cheapest? Looking to fly first class for comfort if that makes a difference.

Would you stick with flying through ATL on the way to LAS given that will be early March? I'm nervous about the MSP connection due to weather.

Similar on the way home. Cheapest option and ideal flight times is connecting through SLC. Should I just pony up and stick with ATL that direction, too in case of bad weather?

Or does it really not matter where you connection is since everybody gets the trickle effect of canceled and delayed flights?

Thanks DIS experts. @fly girl I'm channeling you right now my friend!

The Tuesday booking for low fares is no longer true. Sadly, airlines caught on to that. The sweet spot they say is 3 months prior, but if you are going later in March be weary because of spring break - a lot of people fly into Vegas to visit national parks around the area.

My best advice is to check Google flights. It is great at telling you how fares are trending (low, normal, high) and you can see how it has fluctuated over time.

As for ATL, MSP, SLC hubs in March, it’s anyone’s guess on weather. ATL has had tornadoes and thunderstorms in March. MSP is definitely more prone to have the inclement weather, but they are prepared to handle it. Same with SLC. If it were me, my number one priority would be to pick the route with mainline Delta flights, not the regional carriers (Delta Connection.)

All 3 are large Delta hubs, obviously ATL being its homebase. If weather is in ATL, that’s where the trickledown effect really occurs. MSP is by far the most inconvenient because out of the way. SLC is an easy to navigate airport and is Delta’s largest west coast hub. If you can stick with mainline RDU-ATL-LAS, or RDU-SLC-LAS I’d go with those.

 

[DL1WDW2]

You are going to have a lot of competition in price because of March Madness in Vegas. $$$$

 

[Akck]

Based on the main airline we fly, Tuesday and Wednesday flights show the cheapest, but first class stays relatively the same cost no matter what day it is. Also, the low price is for their saver fare, where you get assigned a seat at the airport. Fares vary more depending upon the time of day. Some days, the red-eye is cheapest, other days they’re more expensive.

As for routings, I’d book ATL going and the cheapest coming back. The reason is weather is a good excuse for getting back late. Just make sure you have a contingency plan to take care of kids/pets if you’re late. If you’re on top of the situation, you’ll likely be able to reschedule via ATL at no added cost.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Business class transcon cash bookings are different beasts than most of us deal with. I add extra legroom to my economy tickets domestically but that’s it. With 20+ trips I’m sure you already know you’re dropping $1500-$2k pp for DL business class so why go cheap? Book the direct and be done with it. Google flights says there is a direct RDU-LAS by DL.

If you really want to shave a couple hundred or something off I’d go poke around the Flyertalk forum for the airline you’re looking at to find out if prices move like that. Much more likely to find people who cash book transcon business class regularly than around here.

 

[nw6675]

You are going to have a lot of competition in price because of March Madness in Vegas. $$$$

Thanks! I made sure before we looked at dates that we were going prior. I was there one year during the Final Four. Crazy times!!

Thank you all! @fly girl I knew you'd come through!!

I think we may go AA direct from CLT. My DD will be at my parents in NC anyway so it wouldn't be that much of a difference with having to drop off/pick up.

 

[fly girl]

Thanks! I made sure before we looked at dates that we were going prior. I was there one year during the Final Four. Crazy times!!

Thank you all! @fly girl I knew you'd come through!!

I think we may go AA direct from CLT. My DD will be at my parents in NC anyway so it wouldn't be that much of a difference with having to drop off/pick up.

I am with you on going direct.