Please tell me about budget airline travel

[Green Tea]

The previous mention of the online agency being the only one who can make changes is not correct. With flights, and I fly on whichever airline has the best price, I always book via Expedia and have never had problems contacting the airline directly. I generally get check in reminders from both the airline and Expedia. If I want to change seats I do it directly from the airline website. When times have changed I get messages from both and call the airline directly for adjustments as needed.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I love how people are so self righteous and snobbish about airlines. I guess they have tons of disposable income. But for me spending $350 per person means ONE vacation a year, versus $350 for all three of us means more trips per year. So I'm willing to suck it up for a 2.5 hr flight so I can have more vacations with my kids.

No one was being self-righteous or snobby. What's wrong with not liking Spirit? I personally wouldn't fly them if the flight were free, but that's just my opinion. And yes, many people can afford to pay for tickets on nicer airlines with more amenities; even in business or first class. What's wrong with that?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The previous mention of the online agency being the only one who can make changes is not correct. With flights, and I fly on whichever airline has the best price, I always book via Expedia and have never had problems contacting the airline directly. I generally get check in reminders from both the airline and Expedia. If I want to change seats I do it directly from the airline website. When times have changed I get messages from both and call the airline directly for adjustments as needed.

You have been lucky. Technically they are suppose to deal with your travel agent. I read lots of hysterical posts in various travel boards regarding this

 

[Green Tea]

You have been lucky. Technically they are suppose to deal with your travel agent. I read lots of hysterical posts in various travel boards regarding this

It may be the case with hotels, and I know it is with cruises. But not airlines

 

[angey77]

I love how people are so self righteous and snobbish about airlines. I guess they have tons of disposable income. But for me spending $350 per person means ONE vacation a year, versus $350 for all three of us means more trips per year. So I'm willing to suck it up for a 2.5 hr flight so I can have more vacations with my kids.

OK, seriously, what is up with this post????? Wow, get over yourself, and stop being hateful over what people choose to spend THEIR disposable income on.

On a related note, I'm glad I came across this thread. The input has been invaluable. Spirit is running about $100 less per person for our upcoming trip than United (and $300 less than SWA, if you can believe that!), but I'm feeling that is not worth it if I have GFV booked partially on borrowed DVC points (I would lose them the next month if I moved the trip because I can't get a flight!). The thought of having a flight cancelled and not getting anything for up to a week is not an option!
I'm hoping SWA comes through for me soon for November. I'm getting nervous!

 

[mndisneylovinmom]

OK, seriously, what is up with this post????? Wow, get over yourself, and stop being hateful over what people choose to spend THEIR disposable income on.

On a related note, I'm glad I came across this thread. The input has been invaluable. Spirit is running about $100 less per person for our upcoming trip than United (and $300 less than SWA, if you can believe that!), but I'm feeling that is not worth it if I have GFV booked partially on borrowed DVC points (I would lose them the next month if I moved the trip because I can't get a flight!). The thought of having a flight cancelled and not getting anything for up to a week is not an option!
I'm hoping SWA comes through for me soon for November. I'm getting nervous!

I prefer to fly delta, or a more well known airline, in a big jet. I guess if that means paying $300+ than to us, it's worth it!
We have a delta sky miles card. We usually earn at least 1 free round trip flight per vacation, if not more than 1. With that, my delta flights are probably less than what your paying anyways. And, additional Perks with that is FREE checked baggage, & priority boarding. One of our daughters has type 1 diabetes and priority boarding, is a real bonus for us.
My DH earns a good wage, I work part time in nursing. We own our home & cabin, vehicles, and money in the bank. We don't have credit card debt -- we believe that if we use the card, the entire amount gets paid when the bill comes.
That all being said, we don't just waste money, and feel that our delta flights are very reasonable!

 

[JediBonas]

What do I need to know about flying with airlines like Spirit, SouthWest, JetBlue, etc? I will be flying out of either Buffalo or Detroit in late April 2014. How can I get the best fare? When should I book our flights? Should we book directly with the airline or through a third-party website?

My mom flies southwest from Buffalo to Miami a lot to visit my grandmother and has never had a problem. We've always booked through southwest's website. We're taking southwest as well for our upcoming trip and they're the only ones with a direct flight from Albany.

 

[angey77]

I prefer to fly delta, or a more well known airline, in a big jet. I guess if that means paying $300+ than to us, it's worth it!
We have a delta sky miles card. We usually earn at least 1 free round trip flight per vacation, if not more than 1. With that, my delta flights are probably less than what your paying anyways. And, additional Perks with that is FREE checked baggage, & priority boarding. One of our daughters has type 1 diabetes and priority boarding, is a real bonus for us.
My DH earns a good wage, I work part time in nursing. We own our home & cabin, vehicles, and money in the bank. We don't have credit card debt -- we believe that if we use the card, the entire amount gets paid when the bill comes.
That all being said, we don't just waste money, and feel that our delta flights are very reasonable!

I would love to be open to Delta and other airlines, but the only ones who flight non-stop from Houston to Orlando are United, SWA and Spirit

 

[mndisneylovinmom]

We're fortunate that where we live they do offer a non stop flight and at the perfect times we prefer!!
Bummer for you though!

 

[Patience]

Interesting opinions. We are flying Southwest for the first time in September. They just came to our city and were offering great fares nonstop to Orlando so we decided to fly instead of drive. I figure they can't be any worse than United, my least favorite airline.

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

Interesting opinions. We are flying Southwest for the first time in September. They just came to our city and were offering great fares nonstop to Orlando so we decided to fly instead of drive. I figure they can't be any worse than United, my least favorite airline.

We love southwest! They are the only airline we fly! They are friendly. They always gets us to our destination on time and the two bags fly free is great! We have never had a problem with them. We have been flying them for at least 8 years

 

[Maggie Lizer]

We almost always fly SW because Baltimore is a hub and there are usually the most options for non-stop flights on SW than any others. For such a short trip (to MCO), I hate having to change planes or stop, especially with kids.

 

[drgnfly30]

I like SWA & AirTran; trying Frontier for the first time next week (fingers crossed).

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

It may be the case with hotels, and I know it is with cruises. But not airlines

Sorry, but it's true with airlines.. but for a fee they will deal with you!

Examples below from airline websites

"To change the itinerary on a ticket that you purchased through a travel agent or another travel website, please contact your travel agent or the travel website. If you choose to make a change with a Frontier Reservations agent instead, an additional external ticket handling charge of $25 will apply to change a ticket that we didn't issue. This charge applies to any ticket issued in the United States by a traditional travel agency, an online travel agency, or another airline."


American Airlines

"Opps copied Frontier again.. updated with sample info from American

As of 2010, you can change most tickets and cancel refundable tickets online for free, but if you booked your itinerary through a third-party, such as a travel website, you might have to pay change or cancellation fees as determined by that company.
"

Delta does allow me to change tickets I book via Amex, but they charge and extra $50 for the privilege....

 

[angey77]

Can anyone riddle me this? I'm just "checking" Spirit and I am getting two totally different quotes (not the fare club) on the same flight. If I put in for one traveler, it's $72.39 one way. If I put in for three (one of which is a child), it shoots it up to $121.39. That seems a TAD off, in my book.

 

[mrsklamc]

There are probably less than 3 seats available at that price, so they are bumping you up to a price point with 3 available seats.

 

[angey77]

There are probably less than 3 seats available at that price, so they are bumping you up to a price point with 3 available seats.

Thanks!

 

[homedad]

would not ever fly Spirit again if I was paid to, Southwest has been a good experience the few times used them