These darn airlines rates...!!!

[MsSpinShady]

I am so frustrated right now.

This is the first time we are flying instead of driving, so back when R/T's from Detroit were $200 I booked our tickets. Now, I'm watching all these other airlines offer great rates, but I can't take advantage of them because our tickets are non-refundable. On top of that, I'd like to add a day on to our trip, but every time I check the website the fares are actually going UP!

Anyway, I wish I had some good advise to give other flying newbies like ourselves about how to get good rates, but this whole process has left me more confused than ever.

Anyone else in the same boat?

Thanks for listening to me gripe...I feel a little better now. You guys are the best.

MsSpinShady

 

[pumpkinboy]

Well, just bcs others are getting a great deal now, doesn't mean that you did not get a good deal when you booked. IMO any fare we get fro the Northeast or Upper Midwest to MCO that comes in at around $200 r-t for a direct flight is a good fare. Yeah you could be paying less, but then again, there might not have been a fare war in which case you might have had to pay more. Just the chances we take. I am in the same boat as you, and kinda kicking my self for buying so far in advance. But thenI remember I got the flights I wanted on the days I wanted, and remind myself that we're heading to WDW, so I should just be thankful.

Just be glad you got a good fare on a direct flight. And it could be worse: you could be in the Twin Cities with no meaningful competition and the airlines sticking it to you at every turn. Our friends flying out of MSP would be happy to get a $200 r-t direct fare.

 

[travelbug]

Actually, I think you did pretty well locking in those $200 tickets. I've been hot on the trail of airfare from DTW (or FNT) for my 2 trips next year. I'd be THRILLED to find it as low as $200. The rates have been considerably higher, and have not budged in weeks and weeks.

But I know from many past flights that finding good airfare is mostly about lots of persistence and a generous sprinkle of good luck. So I'll just keep trying.

Don't lose any sleep over this. You "done good."

 

[bz8bls]

We also booked are airfare earlier this year from DTW to MCO at the rate of $200 ea; however, we wanted to stretch our vacation by another five days, the airfares were non-refundable, but for some reason it was only $25.00 ea ticket to change dates (instead of the $100 that it use to be)' also, when the fares went down we got credit toward future airfares.

 

[MsSpinShady]

Thanks! You guys are right, I am thankful that I got them at the price I did (I remember at the time I booked them that DH and I had agreed if they got down to $200 R/T we'd book and be happy - so when they dropped I grabbed them).

This is the first time we are flying, so I wasn't sure what to do and thought maybe I'd booked too soon. Thank you all for your kind words!

Enjoy your trips!

(a grateful) MsSpinShady

 

[Chicago526]

I paid $216 from Chicago, so you did just fine! I personaly would rather risk paying a little more for a ticket by getting them way in advance, than waiting for a sale (that may not even happen) and then not being able to get the flights I want because they're sold out already.

 

[leighe]

I've never booked my own airfare before and I'm trying to do it now for our Christmas trip. I'm about to pull my hair out! I asked over on the community board but this is probably a better place. I've found two roundtrip tickets from Louisville to Orlando leaving Dec. 17 and returning Dec. 23 for $575 (for both -a bout $287ea.) I have no idea if this is a good price or not but I'm scared to wait too long because we have very specific flight dates and times because of holiday plans. I understand your frustration! I'm convinced that if I go ahead and get these tickets then next week I'll find them for $150 or something!

 

[DonDuck Fan]

This is not much help, but what I was told regarding airfare, is pick a price that you are comfortable paying and as soon as it gets there buy!

We just bought our tickets for our Dec trip, I contacted a travel agent and asked her what a resonable price for tickets. Nocked off a bit to what she said and waited until the prices went there.

Hope that helps

DDF

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by leighe
I've never booked my own airfare before and I'm trying to do it now for our Christmas trip. I'm about to pull my hair out! I asked over on the community board but this is probably a better place. I've found two roundtrip tickets from Louisville to Orlando leaving Dec. 17 and returning Dec. 23 for $575 (for both -a bout $287ea.) I have no idea if this is a good price or not but I'm scared to wait too long because we have very specific flight dates and times because of holiday plans. I understand your frustration! I'm convinced that if I go ahead and get these tickets then next week I'll find them for $150 or something!

OK so here is a good piece of advice for you: there are no airfare deals for travelling around Christmas time. It's just not gonna happen. The airlines know that they can sell all of their seats during this period, and so they have no reason to drop fares for these seats. In this case, getting your tix for under $300 apiece may very welll be as good as it gets. Since you have specific time constraints, it is even more important that you nab these tix when they are at a price you would be willing to pay.

Good luck to you, and have a great trip!

 

[RC Fan]

Hi pumpkinboy!

Is there any hope the good prices that people seem to be getting will continue for a while? Maybe until, let's say MAY?

 

[nisiemouse]

leighe: Too bad you can't leave a couple of days earlier? You can get tickets on SW for $211 each for Dec 15-23. We are flying Dec 15-23 and got them for $202 a piece last week. I believe for your dates they came up $556 for 2 tickets and they are nonstops flights. In the past we have flown out of lex but prices are too high with delta these days. Good luck with the tickets. I would get them soon.

 

[travelbug]

Leighe, I just went on Delta's website and plugged in your dates and airports. They have NONSTOP flights for $234 apiece, and the times look excellent. If I were you, I think I'd go ahead and book. That seems like a good rate for Christmastime for nonstop flights. Good luck!

 

[leighe]

Thanks so much for all the advice! I'm a teacher and our last day of school for the semester is the 17th so we can't leave until at least 5:30 - and that will have me rushing to get to the airport. I found a pretty good deal on the Delta website. I think it was $565 for both tickets.

I love this board! You guys are sooooooo helpful!

 

[Disney Panda]

I knew not to check for the flights we booked a couple weeks ago but I did yesterday and they were $160 cheaper. They charge $100 per ticket to change each ticket on your reservation. Wish they were nicer about modifications.

 

[bubbasmom99]

That stinks... if you pay $100 but get $160 back, doesn't that still work in your favor? Or is it vouchers that you'll never use??

 

[westjones]

I am still learning the ins and outs of booking airfare. Someone in another post mentioned that Southwest doesn't charge for changes on their tickets, and that if the price goes down you can get a refund.

NOW, I do not know this for sure, I just read it in another post, and we have decided to start watching for SW prices now. You won't find them on the Travelocity or Orbitz websites (or others like that), only at southwest.com. They do not have assigned seating (and that is what has held me back from using them so far). We have our flights booked for this year, and next year my twins will be 11 (almost 12), so I won't worry quite so much if we don't get seats together on the plane (it is only a 2 hour flight).

So you may want to try checking SW in the future, and they do have their December rates up now for those looking for holiday flights.

DJ