Question for those who fly out of Minneapolis

[Jenn Lynn]

Is it hard to get good deals on airline tickets? I have been pricing roundtrip tickets to Salt Lake City with a lot of different dates and the cheapest I can get is $258/person! I think that is ridiculous! I have flown the three of us from Chicago to SLC for $500.

I was just wondering if this was normal? Are there good deals to be found?

Thanks!

 

[kejoda]

Sorry to say but this is normal. You could try some of the charter airlines.

 

[ByTheSea]

Ah yes, that's the price we pay for allowing NWA to have a monopoly here. They control the prices. That's actually a pretty good rate for coming from MSP. I pay (well, my clients pay) an average $500 to over $800 for flights (without Sat stays) on a weekly basis. Most trips that include Sat stays can be done in the $230-$290 price range.

If you're lucky, you might be able to find a charter (I checked MLT and they don't fly to Salt Lake, sorry)

If you check www.orbitz.com Continental (changing planes in Houston) came up cheapest... but not knowing your dates... the fares I got were still $278 each with a Sat. stay.

Check www.nwa.com and check out the "deals and promotions" in case there are any specials going on... but off the top of my head I'm not familiar with any.

 

[Patabel]

All major cities have issues with destinations...it depends on an airline's hub(s) location, etc. When I lived in Chicago, there were locations that cost me alot more than what NWA charges me from here in MN to get there. Airports charge non-hub airlines a larger fee, etc, so it's passed along. Salt Lake City is not a NWA hub, nor is it a big-demand location, so flights are very limited, as well.

Believe me, I am not a fan of NWA, but I have had the same issues with United out of Chicago when I lived there. And I think with the problems and issues of people not flying as much and emply aircrafts, we ain't seen nothing yet as far as $$$.

 

[hercamore]

Hi Jenn-Lynn,

Yes prices are awful out of MSP.

Once in a blue moon, NW might have an an unannounced sale that is decent, but it usually lasts only a day or two.

On a side note, I just finished the newest book in the JD Robb series! Great book as usual.

herc.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Hi everyone! Thanks for the replies! It was kind of what I expected. I really have never paid anything over $200/ ticket so this was quite a shocker! And with a 2 year old I would want a non stop flight. At least I know what to expect now!

hercamore-I loved the new J.D. Robb book! I liked how it went into Roarke's past and gave him a family. Adds another layer.

 

[hercamore]

Hey,

Yes, I couldn't put that book down, it was so good! I am wondering if Eve will be pregnant in the next installment. Sounded like maybe Nora Roberts was hinting at it.

Good luck with the airfare. Is there nothing of out of Madison or Milwaukee? Or is that too far to drive?

herc.

 

[Patabel]

I was going to ask that too, about Milwaukee or Madison. i know Dan gets some good airfares out of Milwaukee, though I'm not sure if his destination is anywhere other than Orlando! Also, I've heard you can also get cheaper fares out of Des Moines, though that is probably too far from "Badgerland"!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Thanks Guys! Yes I checked Milwaukee and Madison. They connect in Minneapolis anyway. Might as well just fly out of MSP! Des Moines is quite far away for us. Probably not worth the difference in airfare. MSP is only 1 1/2 hours away so I would prefer to fly from there with my 2 year old who hates the car seat! LOL!
Hercamore-I think every book that she might be pregnant! That will be interesting element too! I think I read that book in one day. Can't wait for the next one this fall!

 

[catsrule]

They are terrible out of Cincinnati also. 300.00 to Orlando!
Delta has a monopoly at our airport!

 

[kejoda]

Midwest airlines flys out of La Crosse. Its the one Dan usually uses. Try them.