Looking for ways to save on airfare

[Bridge203618]

Anyone have any secrets????

It isn't horrible right now CAK to MCO (Akron canton) but I would like to make it as low as possible so I can justify (afford) lying as opposed to driving (2 days in the car each way)

So if anyone has some tips I would LOVE to hear them!

 

[Goofyforher]

Southwest flies from Cleveland. That would be a good place to start. We drive 1 1/2 hrs to Raleigh from our home and stay at a hotel overnight and leave our car there and take a shuttle to the airport. It's cheaper than airport parking!

 

[tuc]

I found much cheaper flights flying into JAX or GNV (which requires a 2 or 3 hour drive to get to Orlando) than MCO, then departing from MCO to go back home.

Also, rental cars for pickup at JAX or GNV and drop-off at MCO were about half the price of MCO-MCO, even cheaper than JAX-JAX or GNV-GNV for some reason. (This trick didn't work for DAB or MLB.)

All in all, the cheaper airfare into JAX combined with cheaper rental car is saving my family more than $400 over flying into MCO—not bad.

note: This is for travel during the "spring break" period. This advice may have limited utility at other times.

 

[tuc]

Between April 5 and May 31 there is an interesting rental car deal that could save some money for some travelers.

Fly one-way into MCO (or GNV, DAB, JAX, or MLB) and take that rental car deal for $10/day, which is pretty darn cheap. Then drive the car home (which must be in one of the other 47 continental US states) instead of flying.

If it works for you it should cut your airfare in half, and cut your rental car costs even more steeply.

 

[dacky041208]

The PP have good ideas, I live within a reasonable drive of 4 airports, and search all of them trying to figure out what will be best overall.

The other thing I almost always do is travel on off days. This summer, we will be at Disney from Tuesday to Wednesday. It isn't always true, but I've found flying on Tues-Thurs is usually a good bit cheaper than Friday-Sunday days. I know some people can't do this, but the weekend flights right now are double what I pay for mid week flights.

 

[uva185]

Might I suggest looking into airline affinity credit cards. Many of these cards include annual companion travel certificates. The US Airways card comes with a certificate that allows you two companions for $99 each if you purchase a $250+ fare. The Delta card comes with a certificate that allows you one companion for free when you purchase an L, U, or T fare. (These fares are the 3 lowest fare classes Delta offers). I am not sure what the other airlines offer but its worth looking into.

US Airways Mastercard: http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...s/default.html

Delta Amex: http://skymilesoffers.delta.com/cred...d_partners.php

These cards carry an annual fee but you will also receive a bunch of bonus miles with your first purchase so its worth it (sometime enough for a free domestic coach ticket). The companion certificate will come with your welcome kit and you do not have to wait until you spend X amount.

 

[Bridge203618]

Between April 5 and May 31 there is an interesting rental car deal that could save some money for some travelers.

Fly one-way into MCO (or GNV, DAB, JAX, or MLB) and take that rental car deal for $10/day, which is pretty darn cheap. Then drive the car home (which must be in one of the other 47 continental US states) instead of flying.

If it works for you it should cut your airfare in half, and cut your rental car costs even more steeply.

Very intriquing however we would be heading home June 4

 

[tuc]

Very intriquing however we would be heading home June 4

I believe that's ok so long as you pick up the car by May 11.