Opinions on Oct. flights from Mpls.

[elgerber]

I need some opinions on buying airfare for 4, from Mpls to MCO in October (MEA week). I have yet to find anything at a good rate. I have tons of NW miles, but they have not had any standard mileage flights available. Awhile ago, Sun Country was $257, and I should have gotten it then. Now Sun Country is 305, the early flight for my dates is already sold out, so I'd have to take an afternoon flight. Northwest is in the mid $400-upper $500 range right now for non-direct flights. All the other airlines with connecting flights, the cheapest is $277. I have never waited this long to book a flight (I usually book them very early, even though I know a lot of people think I'm still too early now). I'm just beginning to worry, since that early morning flight on Sun Country is already sold out, that if I wait much longer I may have to pay even higher prices. Anyone care to give me advice, buy now or wait and hope for a fare sale?? This is Oct. 16-24th.

Thanks!!

Erika

 

[CAP Aircrew]

If it is your intent to use miles, I would keep checking Northwest. I had the same issue with United and eventually something opened up. It also helps to call the airline rather than check for free flights on the website.

Hope this helps.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Northwest KNOWS it's MEA week. This is the week that we've usually found the prices are higher and they seem to stay that way.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll find something but it'll probably not be a Northwest flight.

 

[zulaya]

I second HMG's sentiment. NWA KNOWS when MEA is so I doubt you will see significant reductions in price, especially to MCO. This might be a good time to try Tampa as an alternative. It's a slightly longer drive, but there are deals to be had sometimes when MCO is full.

Have you tried checking through worry free vacations? You can book just air through them on Champion or Omni. They are usually fairly competitive, but keep in mind a lot of people are probably travelling over MEA so you will be paying higher prices from MN just like if it was Easter, Thanksgiving or Xmas.

Best of luck. I am thinking of an MEA trip next year and I plan to book NWA as soon as the dates open up. NWA seems to only go up in price to MCO once they open dates.

 

[elgerber]

Thanks for the opinions. NWA has been high since they opened their booking window this year. So, you think I should just take the $305 at Sun Country now??? At least they are direct? I have already given up on using my miles, I haven't had any luck with that for our last 2 trips either. I told dh we are just going to fly somewhere, anywhere, just to use them up before they take them away.

Erika

 

[zulaya]

Any chance you could alter your departure or return dates to see if you can get a better deal?

Otherwise, with gas prices continuing to rise, jet fuel is probably going to make airfare go up as well. While I wince at having to pay $305, that probably is a good fare considering MEA and the whole gas issue.

Best of luck in your decision.

 

[hercamore]

Would you consider flying into Tampa (TPA)?

Might be worth a check.


herc

 

[elgerber]

Well, just checked Tampa, and they are even worse. The cheapest flights to Tampa are $307, and those are not direct. I tried wiggling the dates (can only change by a day or so). If I go the 15th (Fri) to the 23rd (Sat) I can get it down to $292 w/NWA, first flight direct, but it doesn't land until 11:08 pm, and the return flight is not direct, but I could use rulebusters to get one free. I really don't know if I can handle getting in so late though, with the kids. Now, don't you all know more than you need to know about my problems?? LOL.

I think I may just grab the $305 at SunCountry before they dissappear too, it will be an adventure, never flown them before.

Erika

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I was going to suggest Airtran, but that is just as bad.

I just booked our tickets to fly October 2-9 from Moline, IL, on Airtran-nonstop. We are going with MIL and she only lives 1 1/2 hours from there. We will save on hotel by staying at MIL's and driving to Moline the morning.

I just booked this on Monday, I found a sale for a few hours in the morning. When I checked back in the afternoon the prices went back up almost $50/ticket.

I think I would hold out some more. I would still be waiting if I had not found the flight from Moline.

Good Luck!

PS what is MEA?

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I got $300.70 on their SunCountry Website. Save you $5.

I have flown them once before. Not a bad airline IMHO.

 

[elgerber]

MEA is our annual teachers conventions. I just checked NWA for fun, to see what the ideal flights would cost me, and the price came back at $910 each ROFL!!!!!!!!!!

Erika

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

You have a problem with $910. LOL

You know you can drive down here (RST) and fly back up to MSP and get a cheaper price, LOL.

herc.

 

[elgerber]

Herc, that is the stupidest thing ever isn't it???? But of course they won't let you just skip the first leg of the flight LOL. I have friends in Oregon and they can fly through here to Orlando and we could join them on the same flight and they would pay less. Gotta love the NWA hub!

Erika

 

[hercamore]

OMG

Travelers from Oregon can get a cheaper ticket for same flight. That is SO aggravating!

herc.

 

[docsnort]

Your post really struck a chord with us since flight searching for MEA week is a big part of our vacation planning. We've been lucky in past years waiting for the fares to drop. In 2001 we booked in April for $160, 2002 we booked in June for $178, 2003 was in July for $230. All of these flights were on Delta. Still searching for this year. The question that always lingers in the back of my mind is what if the fares don't drop. How long am I willing to wait for a fare sale? Luckily I've never had to deal with that situation.

We got rid of our WorldPerks Visa card because of the lack of availability of seats to MCO. Now we use the Disney Visa and earn rewards we can actually use!

 

[gilby]

Try sun country's website, suncountry.com
I booked air fare for november at 162.00 a person to orlando non stop flight.
Good luck

 

[ontariodisneywoman]

Here is what I got from AirTran for your dates.. mind you this is four adult fares... not sure if you are travelling 2 adults, 2 children.. there may be bigger discounts..

Minneapolis-MCO connect in Atlanta

Total Cost of Flight for 4(including taxes etc) $ 1,107.60

$276 per person roundtrip-taxes included.


Hope that helps..


edited to add...
I checked suncountry.com for you and I came up with this price..
Total $1202.80 for 4 roundtrip to MCO
300.70 each tax included.

 

[Lthouseprincess]

try one way fares.

I just looked at travelocity and Mpls to MCO on 10/16 is $137
and MCO to Mpls and it is the same back so that would be a little cheaper. Trust me on this, the airlines know the good travel days. We got screwed in February...

 

[gilby]

I booked our trip to orlando about 2 months ago. I must have just hit it at the right time for the great price. WE fly non-stop out of Minneapolis to Orlando nov 10-17.
Good luck on finding air fare, seems like flying out of minneapolis is more expensive.

 

[elgerber]

Originally posted by docsnort
Your post really struck a chord with us since flight searching for MEA week is a big part of our vacation planning. We've been lucky in past years waiting for the fares to drop. In 2001 we booked in April for $160, 2002 we booked in June for $178, 2003 was in July for $230. All of these flights were on Delta. Still searching for this year. The question that always lingers in the back of my mind is what if the fares don't drop. How long am I willing to wait for a fare sale? Luckily I've never had to deal with that situation.

We got rid of our WorldPerks Visa card because of the lack of availability of seats to MCO. Now we use the Disney Visa and earn rewards we can actually use!

I got rid of my WP Visa for the same reason, over a year ago, and all my points are still sitting in my account.

I have checked everywhere, and $300 for the direct with Sun Country seems to be the best deal right now. I am afraid if I wait much longer their won't be anything left, since their early AM flight on the 16th is sold out already.

It's been mentioned, since it's MEA the deals might not get better, I hate airfare and the waiting game. I got so spoiled last year getting the $137 Delta deal. With these darn gas prices, they may not want to offer bargains anymore.

Erika