Tips and tricks for cheap tickets?

[torquelover]

We're looking to fly down from IND or CHI to ORD in June. From Sunday or Monday to Friday. We have driven down in the last two years since we've had children, and do not want to do it again with young ones. It is just too far, and there is not enough time. I have some instant notifications set up, and have even talked to a well-recommended TA. So far, just logging on really late at night has been the most successful. Any ideas on getting a good price?

 

[Brer Chump]

You first sentence is confusing. You want to fly from Indianapolis or Chicago to O'Hare???? The 3 secrets I use is to keep your flight days flexible, keep your departure point flexible and to check flights every day if not more often.

 

[VAN]

Okay, the Orlando International Airport code is MCO.

Anyway, I've had the best luck by finding out what discount airlines fly from my desired airports and keep checking their sites - in addition to the sites like Travelocity. Many of the discount airlines will not show up on Travelocity.

Flying out of SW Michigan and/or Detroit, I check Southwest, Spirit, Airtran. Direct Air flys from Kalamazoo and Allegiant flies from Grand Rapids and South Bend.

So, unless you are set on flying with a major carrier, you may want to also check directly on the other sites.

Also note that some days of the week will have lower rates than others.

 

[torquelover]

Oops, I did mean to type in MCO there. Sorry about that. And yes, leaving from IND or CHI keeps me flexible. The flights out of Indy are cheaper than the flights out of Chicago. So far they are not cheap enough to offset the fuel and 3 hours it takes to get to Indy.

Looking directly at Southwest's website has seen the lowest airfare so far, and using different carriers on departure and arrival is helping as well.

I also just heard that there are flights out of South Bend that are very inexpensive. South Bend is a lot closer to Chicago than Indianapolis.

 

[piglet33]

You can also use Yapta. You plug in the dates and flights you want and Yapta emails you if the price goes down so you can get a credit (if that airline gives them). I have used them for a while now and got several credits from JetBlue because of it. It's nice not to have to check everyday.

Yapta just added hotels to their list of tracking too, but I haven't tried that yet.

 

[MarthaJr.]

I agree with other posters.....definitely keep your options open and your dates as flexible as possible. When you find a price you can live with....book it immediately as it will likely disappear quickly. I would also recommend considering flyng into or out of Tampa (TPA). Often we have been able to save a considerable amount of money doing this and just incorporate a day or two at the beach into our vacation. Or---its about an hour and a half drive to Orlando. (We don't usually do that though because then it tends to turn into a Planes, trains and automobile vacation--not good with littles ones!)

I've never gotten any great airfare deals by subscribing to any of the various "farewatcher" websites. I prefer to use http://www.kayak.comto check prices on flights from several different airports and carriers. I do this daily...before 7am and sometimes later in the day too. When I find a fare I can live with I book directly with the airline--easily done online. Just write down the flight number and the time and go to the airline website and book. (This saves on booking fees.)

I have also gotten lucky with Southwest Airlines--they fly out of Chicago and Inndianapolis.

Just keep checking everyday and something is bound to come through. By the way I have also had good luck booking on major holidays---maybe the airlines think less people are booking airfare that day?? Best of luck to you!

 

[Luv2Diz]

As a rule, it is generally cheaper to fly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but doesn't sound like that will work for you.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I always save at least $20 each way per ticket by buying overnight like at 1am on the last couple of days of the month. I have heard it is because they are trying to hit booking goals, but I just know it seems to always work for me. My tickets for September out of Indy were on special for $99 each way from the link attached to a specials e-mail. I went in during the day priced it all out and then I decided to do the tried and true method, got online that night a little after midnight used the same link and was priced for the same flight at $69 each way per ticket.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

Oops, I did mean to type in MCO there. Sorry about that. And yes, leaving from IND or CHI keeps me flexible. The flights out of Indy are cheaper than the flights out of Chicago. So far they are not cheap enough to offset the fuel and 3 hours it takes to get to Indy.

Looking directly at Southwest's website has seen the lowest airfare so far, and using different carriers on departure and arrival is helping as well.

I also just heard that there are flights out of South Bend that are very inexpensive. South Bend is a lot closer to Chicago than Indianapolis.

Be careful on the cheap flights out of South Bend is usually Alligent and they only fly into Sanford, so no magical express service and the airport takes like an hour to get to, it seems like forever.

 

[torquelover]

Be careful on the cheap flights out of South Bend is usually Alligent and they only fly into Sanford, so no magical express service and the airport takes like an hour to get to, it seems like forever.

We did check flights with Allegiant Air. Good initial rates for Mon and Fri flights ($69!), but no Sunday flights available, and the extra fees made it comparable price wise to SW out of IND.

We ended up with Airtran out of MDW. Non-stop flights, MDW and MCO. They are also the closest airports to our home and our destination. Airtran came in a bit cheaper than SW, and we like the ability to get preassigned seats since we will be with the two young DDs on their first flight.

Thank you to all who replied!

 

[jacos11]

check midway airport out of chicago as well as o'hare.

 

[NotUrsula]

We're looking to fly down from IND or CHI to ORD in June. From Sunday or Monday to Friday. We have driven down in the last two years since we've had children, and do not want to do it again with young ones. It is just too far, and there is not enough time. I have some instant notifications set up, and have even talked to a well-recommended TA. So far, just logging on really late at night has been the most successful. Any ideas on getting a good price?

Your problem is bolded. Those are the most expensive days to travel, as those are the most popular with business travelers. If you cannot travel on Tues or Wed, I suggest travelling Saturday and Saturday. Chicago is a competitive market; you should be able to find deals out of there if you can switch to at least one cheaper travel day.

As to what days to buy, not on weekends; those are the times that airlines float their fare increase attempts. I tend to have the best luck in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, or whenever SWA sends me a good Ding.

 

[torquelover]

Your problem is bolded. Those are the most expensive days to travel, as those are the most popular with business travelers. If you cannot travel on Tues or Wed, I suggest travelling Saturday and Saturday. Chicago is a competitive market; you should be able to find deals out of there if you can switch to at least one cheaper travel day.

As to what days to buy, not on weekends; those are the times that airlines float their fare increase attempts. I tend to have the best luck in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, or whenever SWA sends me a good Ding.

I realize the travel days are difficult. We are at a wedding Saturday, and have to be back at work the following Friday night. Leaving on Saturday and coming home on Saturday is out of the question this time

If not for the circumstances, being able to go Mon-Mon was of great benefit, and will probably be the setup for our next trip.

I was able to find cheaper flights going Mon-Fri, but the difference in price was not worth losing another day.

A lot has changed since the last time we have flown. A lot of fees, taxes, and charges, so I had to look at the total price in regards to what seats, how much luggage, how many stops, etc, etc.

How do you like the SW "Dings"?

 

[rigocampos]

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[rigocampos]

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[rigocampos]

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[rigocampos]

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[rigocampos]

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[rigocampos]

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[rigocampos]

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