Why doesn't CLE-MCO ever go on sale???

[Pembo]

I'm so frustrated watching all these awesome fares come up! In almost 2 years of watching airfares I've only seen one or 2 times when Cle-Mco comes up cheap and NEVER on Continental!!!

How come the hubcity gets the higher fares?!

It's just so darn Frustrating!!!!

......just needed to vent.......

 

[bobcat]

I agree Pembo. We usually fly out of Columbus on Delta express, usually around $150, but I always check Cinci and Cleveland for good fares. I wouldn't mind driving for a good fare.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Tell me about it Pembo!!!!

It is getting soooo frustrating. Due to some circumstances I have to have a direct flight and can not drive to another city.

I keep watching!!

Debbie

 

[Scott43449]

We live between Toledo, and Sandusky, we find that it is usually cheaper to fly out of Columbus on Delta, around 150 round trip, non-stop. Also, Detroit is an hour and a half away from us, and we can get better rates to fly anywhere from there vs Cleveland. Continental really controls the market in Cleveland. If I had a choice all of the time I would drive a little further and fly out of Columbus. Much better airport, lower parking rates, and easier to get in and out of.

 

[disneydawn]

I got CLE-MCO for $118 ($129.50 inc taxes) in July for our trip in 2 weeks on Continental. They had the fares around July 4 for about 2 weeks and they were good through September. I remember this same sale last year. I agree, I have never seen good prices for any other time of the year on Continental especially! We flew out of PIT last year for $100. It was worth the 2 hour drive.

 

[imsoccermom]

Cleveland just went on sale on United for $163 thru Dec 16. Just happened so the other airlines should be reacting soon.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

oh they quit that because the people from Pittsburgh quit driving there to fly out since they lowered fares from Pit!!! Just kidding!

 

[apagano]

How come the hubcity gets the higher fares?!

There are many factors that go into determining airfares, but one of the major reasons that CLE-MCO fares stay high is that Continental has the only nonstop flights, so they are able to inflate the fares. I paid $177 RT for my tix on Continental 9/28-10/7 after watching the fares hover around $220 for a few weeks. The only destinations you will find cheap fares out of Cleveland-Hopkins are places where airlines besides Continental fly non-stop. For example, flying to Chicago is dirt cheap from CLE because Continental, Southwest, American and United all fly there nonstop.

Being a hub city is a mixed blessing. On the one hand it's great for the local economy and you can fly pretty much anywhere in the US nonstop, but you pay for the priviliege in the way of higher fares to cities where the hub airline has a monopoly.

Believe it or not, CLE is not nearly as bas as some other cities in terms of one airline dominating the airport. Continental has only 60% of Cleveland's flights as opposed to St. Louis where TWA owns more than 90% of the market share.

 

[briane]

Great to see all these Ohio people on here...

I jumped all over the Continental deal in July as well. I purchased through Traveler's Advantage and payed $124. I will get 5% back and pay a total of $117. We leave later this month.

Do you ever try Air Tran out of CAK? Their rates can be low at times. They have a standard 6am flight to Orlando that flies into ATL.