Need Help planning thanksgiving travel

[talulabelle]

This is a little OT as I'm trying to get my family to West Palm Beach over Thanksgiving and not Disney. We were just offered an opportunity to go to West Palm Beach over Thanksgiving but since it's Thanksgiving, the rates were sky high to start, and are mostly booked up now. I know that people on this board are really good with figuring out different ways to work travel in a budget, so I am pleading for your help.

this is the deal: There are 7 of us total - and we are traveling from Baltimore. The youngest is 3 and horrible on car rides and we just cant fathom driving...I dont think we would make it. Does anyone have any tips for different airports to fly out of or into that may help with the cost of the trip? Does Spirit make this trip? Any advice or tips are much appreciated!

 

[Cmbar]

This is a little OT as I'm trying to get my family to West Palm Beach over Thanksgiving and not Disney. We were just offered an opportunity to go to West Palm Beach over Thanksgiving but since it's Thanksgiving, the rates were sky high to start, and are mostly booked up now. I know that people on this board are really good with figuring out different ways to work travel in a budget, so I am pleading for your help.

this is the deal: There are 7 of us total - and we are traveling from Baltimore. The youngest is 3 and horrible on car rides and we just cant fathom driving...I dont think we would make it. Does anyone have any tips for different airports to fly out of or into that may help with the cost of the trip? Does Spirit make this trip? Any advice or tips are much appreciated!

Spirit now flies out of BWI (used to be Reagan until this year). My cousin flies them all the time and he stays with family in West palm. Spirit flies into Ft. Lauderdale, but that is not far from West Palm at all. I would join their $9 club. Not sure of your dates but their prices right now are very reasonable. You would have to rent a car anyways, so I would consider flying into Ft. Lauderdale.

Consider Southwest/Airtran to both West Palm and Ft. Lauderdale.

Personally with 7 people If you can't get a decent price, I would drive if you don't want to spend a fortune. Break up the trip and get your 3 year old some sea bands. We have driven to Disney/Ft Lauderdale many times from baltimore. You would have to sleep over a night but is it such a easy trip from Baltimore. Straight down 95. We never fly when we go on the cruise because it is so simple to drive. If you have time limitations that may be a problem, but if you have the time I would consider driving. Especially if you have more than one driver.


EDITED: oops I just assumed your 3 year old got car sick. Sounds like they don't like to be in the car. That could be a very long ride you are right!

 

[SteveMouse]

I just glanced at Southwest wanna get away fares- Monday before Thanksgiving had a flight at $92 down, pp. Wednesday had a flight @ 136 pp.

That's about as cheap as I've seen in some time!

You may want to have two browser windows open and divide your group, for the purposes of reservations. The SW website reflects the lowest price for ALL seats in the reservation (ie if there are 3 seats available @ 92, but you're asking for 7, the system will reflect the lowest price at which 7 seats are available).

reminder: SW tickets are fully changeable- you now have to actively cancel the flight reservation to preserve credit (credits bought with cash are not transferable: the credit remains with the person named on the ticket and must be used within a year of the date of original reservation).

 

[talulabelle]

thanks - I didn't know that Spririt flew out of BWI now. I did see that $136 pp on SW and want to jump on it, but I cant find an affordable flight home that works with our dates (kids cant miss too much school)- so Im scared to purchase one way right now. If I purchase with Rapid reward points (i almost have enough for one way) and I cancel the flight, do the points just go back to my acct. and I dont have to use a credit up with in a year as I would if I purchased with dollars?

 

[Cmbar]

thanks - I didn't know that Spririt flew out of BWI now. I did see that $136 pp on SW and want to jump on it, but I cant find an affordable flight home that works with our dates (kids cant miss too much school)- so Im scared to purchase one way right now. If I purchase with Rapid reward points (i almost have enough for one way) and I cancel the flight, do the points just go back to my acct. and I dont have to use a credit up with in a year as I would if I purchased with dollars?

Yes points just go back into your account. Also, don't by the early bird until you are sure because you don't get that credited back. Points can be used whenever and do not have to be used in a specific period of time once you cancel.

Good luck!