So what do you think about “major” air carriers and getting deals?

[coastgirl]

Now that I’m more or less committed to MHT/Manchester NH, I am trying to find a cheap flight MCO-MHT, unfortunately close to the President’s Day weekend. SWA is my first choice, but I’m not seeing much. SWA is the only “discount” carrier through MHT. My other choices are

Continental
Delta
US Air
United

I figure Continental is my best second choice, but curious if anyone has gotten good deals on any of the others? (Delta is as bad as Air Canada on my initial checks…)

I spent some time last night trying to sign up for their email alerts, but they seem to want you to enrol in their FF club to get the emails, and I don't love the idea of giving out my data at that level of detail to a company I may never use.

 

[MinnieMommy]

I tend to go a bit overboard tracking airfare costs. I track one way and return costs on multiple airlines.

Sometimes it's cheaper to do a one-way with one air carrier for your departing flight and a one-way with another air carrier for your returning flight.

On the trip we just returned from this week, we booked the airfare 1 1/2 weeks out (something I NEVER usually do). It was less expensive booking one-way departing flight + one-way returning flight (both with Continental), than it was to book a return trip. It ended up being $375pp total from Halifax to Orlando YHZ-MCO.

I do receive e-mails from most of the major carriers, but honestly, I don't feel that I have ever benefited from any sales they announce as those deals are typically found directly on the website.

 

[coastgirl]

That is an amazing fare from YHZ! Maybe I don't have enough faith in the Cdn carriers, I don't check enough! I did get a "deal" notice from AC this week and checked my dates in Feb...over $2800 for four of us! Nice "deal".

But I finally booked both ends now...got a decent though not earth-shaking deal on SWA from MHT. Bought the outbound this week for $109, and the inbound today for $123 pp. The day I bought the outbound, the cheapest inbound was $254, and today the cheapest outbound was $20 more than I paid, so buying in two parts worked out.

Pays to be a stalker, I guess!

 

[MinnieMommy]

But I finally booked both ends now...got a decent though not earth-shaking deal on SWA from MHT. Bought the outbound this week for $109, and the inbound today for $123 pp. The day I bought the outbound, the cheapest inbound was $254, and today the cheapest outbound was $20 more than I paid, so buying in two parts worked out.

Excellent!

Pays to be a stalker, I guess!

 

[Sue M]

Glad you found a deal. I find deals on many of the airlines. I think they take turns on having seat sales In Jan we are flying Continental RT from Seattle for $324 CAD each. I've also flown SW, United, AA, Delta- whoever has the cheapest fare.