Two Different Airlines?

[rhiansmom]

I need to book for our November trip and when looking for the best prices I have found that flying down on Airtran and flying back on Southwest seems to be the best option. Have you ever done 2 different airlines on 1 trip? What things do I need to watch out for?

 

[bowlingchicaroo]

we did the exact same thing last jan.08 for our trip...except we flew down on southwest and home on airtran...we had no problems whatsoever....

not sure what you would need to watch for, but i'm sure some op's can help ya out...

 

[rhiansmom]

Thanks... we do fly often but have always booked round trip flights so I wanted to make sure I didnt miss something!

 

[kevgraub]

I can think of absolutely nothing at all that would be an issue. We have done it before (to China on United and back home on Northwest) and there was no problem at all.

 

[stitch34]

We're doing the same thing in November - flying down on Airtran - coming home on Southwest. Not a problem at all.

 

[Gina35]

We live in NJ and are having much difficulty finding affordable nonstop flights in November (during Jersey week). I wasn't even sure that it is possible to use 2 different airlines. Is it more/less expensive? Did you book the flights yourself on line? What do you do when they ask for return info? Sorry for all of the questions....this info may help us to get the flights we need.

 

[pooch]

We live in NJ and are having much difficulty finding affordable nonstop flights in November (during Jersey week). I wasn't even sure that it is possible to use 2 different airlines. Is it more/less expensive? Did you book the flights yourself on line? What do you do when they ask for return info? Sorry for all of the questions....this info may help us to get the flights we need.

just click on one way fares, won't ask for return info. If you're calling, same deal "I'm looking for a one way fare". We're on Delta for $69 down and Southwest for $79 back!

 

[Gina35]

We're on Delta for $69 down and Southwest for $79 back!

That's unreal! Are they nonstop flights? I am going to start looking this up; thanks so much!

 

[may_baby06]

we are doing this in Sept. We are flying down Southwest $49 and back Airtran $49. I couldn't pass up those prices!!

 

[pooch]

That's unreal! Are they nonstop flights? I am going to start looking this up; thanks so much!

non-stop both ways, and, since we're staying at Pop, hoping for RAC bag check-in for the trip home on SWA.

 

[Gina35]

we are doing this in Sept. We are flying down Southwest $49 and back Airtran $49. I couldn't pass up those prices!!

I don't blame you a bit!!!

 

[Gina35]

non-stop both ways, and, since we're staying at Pop, hoping for RAC bag check-in for the trip home on SWA.

Good luck; hope you get it too! Wow....wish we could get prices even twice that much at the times we need them!!! I do know that we should have looked into this long ago, but it wasn't an option until this past week! Oh, well.....still trying (& trying.....& trying....)

 

[tjmw2727]

There was a time, years ago where a one way ticket would raise a red flag and you could be subject to extra screening.

Now with airlines like JB and SWA booking mostly one way trips due to the short windows (60 days vs 180 days in advance) it is common.

I often fly two different airlines - and even when I fly the same airline unless the r/t is significantly cheaper I still book two one way legs. It gives me more flexibility if I need to make changes, esp on SWA where there are no fees.

TJ

 

[Gina35]

There was a time, years ago where a one way ticket would raise a red flag and you could be subject to extra screening.

Now with airlines like JB and SWA booking mostly one way trips due to the short windows (60 days vs 180 days in advance) it is common.

I often fly two different airlines - and even when I fly the same airline unless the r/t is significantly cheaper I still book two one way legs. It gives me more flexibility if I need to make changes, esp on SWA where there are no fees.

TJ

Makes a lot of sense! Never realized that!

 

[uva185]

I often fly two different airlines - and even when I fly the same airline unless the r/t is significantly cheaper I still book two one way legs. It gives me more flexibility if I need to make changes, esp on SWA where there are no fees.

How does booking two one-way flights on the same airline give you more flexibility???

With the exception of Southwest it would actually be more expensive to make a change to your entire trip because you would have to pay TWO change fees. (The fee's are not 50% off if you only want to change a one-way flight).

The change fees on most airlines are more expensive than what most people on this board would want to pay for a one-way flight! Delta changes $150.

 

[bumbershoot]

The only troubles I have when booking two airlines is remembering which was is which. Thankfully I have a nice folder where I put my whole trip, in chronological order, so my first page is "parking at airport offsite", then our boarding passes (printout of itinerary first, then boarding pass once I print it), etc etc, and the last thing is the itinerary for the way home. Keeps my brain in order.

 

[pooch]

The only troubles I have when booking two airlines is remembering which was is which. Thankfully I have a nice folder where I put my whole trip, in chronological order, so my first page is "parking at airport offsite", then our boarding passes (printout of itinerary first, then boarding pass once I print it), etc etc, and the last thing is the itinerary for the way home. Keeps my brain in order.

Just flip the page as I do things. I am SOOOO organized.

 

[tjmw2727]

How does booking two one-way flights on the same airline give you more flexibility???

With the exception of Southwest it would actually be more expensive to make a change to your entire trip because you would have to pay TWO change fees. (The fee's are not 50% off if you only want to change a one-way flight).

The change fees on most airlines are more expensive than what most people on this board would want to pay for a one-way flight! Delta changes $150.

Ok well I guess I just find it more flexible - others may not.

I usually fly SWA and JB and have never had to change more than one flight. I understand how change fees work and until recently JB was a $35 change fee. I just find it easier to book as two one way trips - my personal preference and I fly often. The chances for error are less if your changing one leg - things like seat changes etc can be a factor in addition to price.

Didn't mean to cause an arugment, just posting my opinion and experience.

TJ

 

[uva185]

Ok well I guess I just find it more flexible - others may not.

I usually fly SWA and JB and have never had to change more than one flight. I understand how change fees work and until recently JB was a $35 change fee. I just find it easier to book as two one way trips - my personal preference and I fly often. The chances for error are less if your changing one leg - things like seat changes etc can be a factor in addition to price.

Didn't mean to cause an arugment, just posting my opinion and experience.

TJ

Sorry, didn't mean to sound argumentative.

I agree booking one way flights is fine, just be careful with the change fees. Obviously some airlines make it easier than others.

Now if you really want to get into a beneficial reason for one-way flights look up "Hidden City Ticketing"