what is the max you'll pay for an airline ticket?

[dmank]

We live in Missouri, so it's a 2 day trip for us to get to Orlando. From the St Louis airport, we used to have Airtran, SW and American offering direct flights to Orlando. I can't stand connecting.

AA dropped direct flights last summer; Now with the AT/SW merger, I'm afraid prices will go up. Choices down. It's depressing. That said, I am thankful SW has a large presence in St Louis b/c we'd always be connecting but for them.

It got me thinking: what is the maximum ticket price I'd pay roundtrip to Orlando before I seriously start thinking about driving? I think it's $400 roundtrip. There are 5 of us, so that would be $2000.

 

[ancestry]

It depends on where we are going and why we are traveling. To Orlando my maximum is usually $250 per person and normally I can get it for $200 per person if I keep my eye on the airfare. I suppose if I got really desperate I *might* consider $300 per person but that would be only under very special circumstances.

However, the difference for me is that we wouldn't drive. We simply wouldn't go at all if airfare was that high.

 

[Pakey]

I consider it a gift if I get airfare to Orlando for $500 or less per person. The highest we've paid is about $800.

 

[Brian Noble]

Getting to Orlando (or some other warm place) during our winter break is pretty important to us. And, that's a two day drive, with only a week off, so we'd fly.

But, if airfares got too expensive, we'd go to Universal or Sea World instead of Disney, or skip the theme parks altogether and do less expensive things, possibly in south Florida instead of Orlando.

 

[Hoopfamily]

To see my in-laws....ZERO DOLLARS.
To go to Disney World, $400.00 per person. Any higher than that and we are driving or taking the train.

 

[bookwormde]

$150 rt to MCO from PHL (4 of us). While I have flown the last few years it looks like we will be driving next year 1000 mi 16 hrs straigh through.

bookwormde

 

[uva185]

It really depends on the circumstances. The most I ever paid was $900 each for a quick weekend trip from Columbia, SC. The timing was perfect so it was better to splurge than miss the opportunity to travel. It actually worked out quite well because we were able to get $500 per person VDB (Volunteer Denied Boarding) compensation to take a slightly later flight home!

However under most circumstances from the DC area to MCO under $300 each is preferred.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The highest I've paid is about $600/person, but usually around $250 - $300. To be honest, since it's only two of us and I refuse to drive to Disney, I don't think the price will ever be too much in terms of going on vacation.

 

[2DisPrincesses]

If I had to pay more than $225 pp I would NOT be happy!

 

[Michael623]

$225 to WDW, $275 to DL, $550 to DLP.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

...$550 to DLP.

I couldn't imagine flying coach to go to DLP...way too long of a flight for my tastes.

 

[Michael623]

I couldn't imagine flying coach to go to DLP...way too long of a flight for my tastes.

It's 6 hours and I sleep at least half of it. If I could pay less for even less room than coach I'd do it. You've made it abundantly clear (here and flyertalk) that you prefer service over $$$. I can't retire early on airline service and not getting squeezed on car rental sizes...but to each their own.

 

[j's m]

It used to be less than 250 pp for the 3 of us, usually under 200
But DS is in HS and won't miss a day.
So this year Jersey week we have to return on a Sunday.
Flying down on SW and with baggage $$ coming back on USAir, we're a little over $ 1000 (but don't tell DH!)

Oh, and we would never drive, we only go for 6 nights so wouldn't waste time driving, we wouldn't go.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

It's 6 hours and I sleep at least half of it. If I could pay less for even less room than coach I'd do it. You've made it abundantly clear (here and flyertalk) that you prefer service over $$$. I can't retire early on airline service and not getting squeezed on car rental sizes...but to each their own.

I agree, to each their own. I definately am a firm believer in paying more for service. As a side note, many complaints people make about X, Y and Z are more about lack of service because often people are more price conscious then service conscious.

 

[crashbb]

Clearly none of you live in Canada

 

[robinb]

It's hard to say what my maximum is. I know I would rather drive than pay $300 RT. I *do* have a "buy price" and it's $230 out of Madison. I live very close to the airport and it's worth a bit more to leave from home than to drive to another airport and park. My "buy price" for Chicago and Milwaukee is under $200.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think it will be increasing with the pending take over of AT by SW.

 

[Brian Noble]

I couldn't imagine flying coach to go to DLP...way too long of a flight for my tastes.

Most of my flights overseas have been charged to one of my grants, and our accounting rules typically forbid paying for more than coach. So, I can tell you that it can be done. The long-haul flights do tend to be a bit more comfortable in steerage, though, and the level of service is better than you see domestically, so it's not entirely the end of the world.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Most of my flights overseas have been charged to one of my grants, and our accounting rules typically forbid paying for more than coach. So, I can tell you that it can be done. The long-haul flights do tend to be a bit more comfortable in steerage, though, and the level of service is better than you see domestically, so it's not entirely the end of the world.

I flew coach with relatives once to London when I was pretty young, and I remember it pretty well still. It wasn't horrible, but definately not something that I would want to do again.

I can understand the limitations with grants and governmental travel (or even some business travel), but then again, I think we're all used to "suffering" to some degree for these things, whether it be limited office space, etc. Personal travel is different though, especially on vacation, as you should try to enjoy yourself to the best of your means, for me that means seeking out service over price many times.

 

[Brian Noble]

Some of the companion fare programs (e.g. the one that some AmEx branded cards have) can make intl business class fares relatively affordable.