Questions for those who fly often

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

I am currently in the process of trying to book our first "flying" family vacation out to DisneyLand for late April 2006. I just missed out on this super great airfare through United (too sad for words )but now I'm not sure what to do.

Should I book hotel/ticket package and just wait it out on airfare or take the cheepest I can get now and stop looking..hee-hee

I figure if I can get the lowest on SW which would be the $167.00 rate it would still be like $1336.00 for 4 of us round-trip. Is that really a "good" deal? Do any of you frequent flyers think I can get a better deal from Detroit, MI out to Disney CA?

I would so appreciate any help I can get...like I said, first time flying for us and I really need to get a deal on this trip!

Thanks again
Dawn

 

[nliedel]

With gas prices climbing I would book now. It's a gamble either way.

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

nliedel, with being in Ann Arbor where do you usually fly from? With SW do you get the best deal or somewhere else?

Thanks
Dawn

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Anyone else have an opinion on this fare or others?

Thanks!

 

[bavaria]

1) there will be more sales bwn now and April 2006, trust me!
2) did you check all three airports - LAX, John Wayne (SNA) and Long Beach?
3) did you check travelocity.com as well as the airlines sites themselves?

Personally, I never book travel more than 14 days before I leave, but that's my life, and not yours! You are booking 4 seats so chances are that you are less flexible and want some security.

I would sign up for ding and travelocity farewatcher, check rates twice a week for now, and not stress too much.

 

[safetymom]

I wouldn't wait too long. Airlines are cutting flights and using smaller planes. You won't see the number of discounts that you used to. I would keep an eye on them for a month or so but then I would book them.

If you book with SW you can always change your tickets if a lower fare comes out.

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Thank you..I appreciate the replies...any other info is also welcomed!

So what does everyone think about $1336.00 round-trip Detroit to Disney CA for 4? Is that good or could I get better?

Thank you!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I can't speak to fares to CA (never flew there), but I can say that when I lived in Ann Arbor, I usually flew out of Detroit Metro, although I also flew out of Flint Bishop on occasion (usually about $20 cheaper on a round trip ticket), and even flew out of Grand Rapids once (saved about $100 on the round trip ticket, plus I had to be in Grand Rapids the day before I flew out anyways)

 

[nordkin]

I would not book now. I have found fares go up and down all the time, even within in minutes. As an example this past May I started looking for fares from Washington DC to LA for our cruise on the Magic. One day when I got to work I checked and the fare was where it had been for weeks at around $250 one way, then at lunch time I checked and it was $109 one way. I immediately booked the flight on United for 4 non refundable tickets that they said could not be upgraded. When we got to the airport at checkin we were offered an upgrade to economy plus for $29 per person and we grabbed them. The extra 5 inches of leg room was well worth it for a 5 hour flight. I am a firm believer in checking for several weeks when your trip is so far out because you might snag a low fare.

 

[Pinnie]

I'd look into flying into SNA instead of LAX. It was cheaper and much easier for me! SWA flies there and you can leave out of DTW.

pinnie

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Everything I've checked into Detroit - Orange County(SNA) has been the least and Flint-Lansing-Grand Rapids has been at least $100 more per ticket. BUT all the fairs are still in the $330+ range pp round-trip. Can I get less than that out of Detroit? I know in larger cities you can get good deals because of the volume but I just don't know if Detroit applies in that case.

I'm going to keep looking for now...thanks and I welcome all info / input!

Dawn