The convenience of all flying together

[Kanga1]

How much would you pay for the convenience of your family to fly together? I'm talking just mom, dad, and 1 child.

We currently have some airline miles that we need to use. However, these miles are on an airline that we currently do not use anymore due to the high cost of flights, no nonstop, baggage fees, etc.

It would cost us $250 for us NOT to use the miles and all fly together. There will be the inconvenience of 2 of us waiting in our home airport about 2-3 hours waiting for DH's flight to arrive. Would it be worth it to you?

 

[Hannathy]

Yep! last time we flew down we actually went on two different airlines. My DH and DD landed before us so they went and got the car and something to eat and then came back to the airport and picked up me and my DS.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would definitely use the miles. If you don't, don't waste them. See if you can redeem these for merchandise, or gift a trip to a friend or relative. You can also donate them.

http://www.wish.org/help/donate_airline_miles

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site...Page=1e641b655eb3b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

http://www.dreamfoundation.org/airline-miles.html

http://www.fisherhouse.org/programs/heromiles.html

 

[seashoreCM]

We encourage volunteering to be bumped on the way home and, if the vacation is not impacted significantly, volunterring on the way over. Of course this means someone's having to drive back to the airport to meet another flight and pick up those of us who succeeded in volunteering. Fully worth the free ticket or voucher.

 

[mollybeasley]

In the old days, parents never flew together. That was a big deal with my parents. I guess the rationale was that if one was in a plane crash the other would still be alive. Of course, following that logic, parents should never get into a CAR together because car crashes are much much more common than plane crashes.

But I digress.

Before you decide, check the frequent flyer account ... You might be able to use those points on rental cars, hotels, restaurants or a whole lot of other things. Also check the expiration date for the miles, so you're making an informed decision.

We took different flights to Europe once. I had to go several days early for a conference, but we wanted to go home together. I got a much better deal using a different airline for my flight. It turned out to be pretty convenient because of the timing (DH dropped me off at my gate before dropping off the rental car), but it was lonely for me on such a long trip alone.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would save the money and fly separately - and we have !

Once onboard its difficult to talk anyway and one of us was usually busy with a child while the other watched a movie or read. So so separating made sense for us - esp if we could use miles or volunteer off for vouchers. Often it ended up being dh with one dd and me with the other - a nice adventure and 1-1 mommy/daddy time

Take the $ and enjoy the vacation time you will be spending together!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We encourage volunteering to be bumped on the way home and, if the vacation is not impacted significantly, volunterring on the way over.

Over the past two years, my husband and I together have flown over 250,000 miles all over the world and not once have we been on a flight on which anyone was bumped. Yes it happens, but not as often as it used to. Plus using vouchers can be really difficult these days. I certainly wouldn't count on this happening.

 

[Kanga1]

Shoot, shoot, SHOOT!!! I waited too long. Went to book our award flight this morning for next July and the award miles DOUBLED for the day we want to fly down! We now don't have enough points. Any chance they'll go down again?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Any chance they'll go down again?

Yes. Airlines frequently change award ticket availability. I have changed award tickets (on United) when the mileage requirements go down up to the day before travel.

Keep checking.

 

[Kanga1]

Shoot, shoot, SHOOT!!! I waited too long. Went to book our award flight this morning for next July and the award miles DOUBLED for the day we want to fly down! We now don't have enough points. Any chance they'll go down again?

Woo hoo!! The award miles went WAY down!! From 30,000 miles each way to 12,500 miles each way!! We now have enough points that my DD and DH can BOTH fly on award miles!! And I'll be flying on award miles on SWA! With taxes and fees...round trip for 3 people is $75 total! AND we're getting an extra day at Disney!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Woo hoo!! The award miles went WAY down!! From 30,000 miles each way to 12,500 miles each way!! We now have enough points that my DD and DH can BOTH fly on award miles!! And I'll be flying on award miles on SWA! With taxes and fees...round trip for 3 people is $75 total! AND we're getting an extra day at Disney!

Super. Enjoy.