Buying airline tix

[Jake]

I'm trying to fly my girlfriend home to me during the xmas holiday. At this point, it appears that it will cost >$100 more than it did last year to do this. Do you guys have any suggestions as to how to save some cash on this endeavor? I don't want to pay $350 for a one way flight.

[Brian]

Try Priceline. Put in $100. You won't get it but will get the lowest possible.

[NorthSideSox72]

First, when you do your initial search, use a good comparison engine like kayak.com. But then also check Southwest seperately, because they don't use the Sabre system that the others do, so they won't show up in ths searches. Once you have those two searched, that is your baseline.

 

Next thing you can do too, is set email alerts for your search - so it can tell you when the price goes down. Kayak does this, so do other sites.

 

Priceline is a good last-ditch option, but bear in mind you won't be able to have much choice about times or connections. You have to be willing to fly any time on that given day, in order to place a bid. And you can specify whether or not you want 1 connection, or allow more than one... but you cannot specify none. I used Priceline once, a long time ago... was trying to get a flight from Chicago to Seattle. Well, I got it, for a really cheap price... with a connection if frigging Atlanta. Chicago-Atlanta-SeaTac. I was flying aaaaaaalllllll day. Just be aware, that can happen.

 

And make sure you consider the fees too. Southwest doesn't charge for baggage (up to two checked bags, and the usual 1.5 caarry-ons). All major network airlines charge for checked bags, unless you are in an elite status with them. And then there are airlines like Spirit who charge fees for carry-ons, checked bags, all food and drink, showing up to the gate late, and breathing too loudly.

 

[Jenksismyhero]

You can also gamble and try to wait until about a week or two before. If the flights don't sell out the airlines try to get anything they can for them, so there is usually some good savings. But usually those are s***ty flights (1-2 stops) at odd times.

[iamshack]

You can also gamble and try to wait until about a week or two before. If the flights don't sell out the airlines try to get anything they can for them, so there is usually some good savings. But usually those are s***ty flights (1-2 stops) at odd times.

I'm one of those people that absolutely hates traveling (going to airports, flying, not actually vacationing), so I just pay the extra $ to be comfortable rather than trying to save $50 and flying all over the place or at weird times.

 

It's difficult to save too much money when you are flying in or out of Chicago...rarely do we see the heavily discounted fares there because there is just so much traffic. As for Vegas, I just have to avoid flying in on a thursday or friday (Tue-Wed and Sat are the cheapest generally) and flying out on Sunday or Monday (as everyone is leaving and going back to their regular life).

 

I think another tip is to avoid booking the flight on weekends (not actually flying, but actually booking the airfare), as it is generally more expensive to do so then.

[Jenksismyhero]

I'm one of those people that absolutely hates traveling (going to airports, flying, not actually vacationing), so I just pay the extra $ to be comfortable rather than trying to save $50 and flying all over the place or at weird times.

 

It's difficult to save too much money when you are flying in or out of Chicago...rarely do we see the heavily discounted fares there because there is just so much traffic. As for Vegas, I just have to avoid flying in on a thursday or friday (Tue-Wed and Sat are the cheapest generally) and flying out on Sunday or Monday (as everyone is leaving and going back to their regular life).

 

I think another tip is to avoid booking the flight on weekends (not actually flying, but actually booking the airfare), as it is generally more expensive to do so then.

 

Yeah i'm the same way. I'll gladly pay an extra 50 bucks for a nonstop at a convenient time.

[Jake]

Well, AirTran just added a flight that I needed. That will save me at least $100, provided it doesn't go down further/another cheaper flight pops up.

 

Memphis (my current location, getting tix from MEM to CHI) has the highest traffic airport in the USA yet no passenger air options. The fact that there aren't nonstops from Memphis to Chicago seems asinine. Rumor has it Southwest will be expanding here at some point, which should really help. Lots of Memphians drive to Little Rock to fly, but that won't be an option for my girlfriend.

 

Thanks for the tips guys, it looks like just waiting for the weekend to end before looking has already helped.

[NorthSideSox72]

Well, AirTran just added a flight that I needed. That will save me at least $100, provided it doesn't go down further/another cheaper flight pops up.

 

Memphis (my current location, getting tix from MEM to CHI) has the highest traffic airport in the USA yet no passenger air options. The fact that there aren't nonstops from Memphis to Chicago seems asinine. Rumor has it Southwest will be expanding here at some point, which should really help. Lots of Memphians drive to Little Rock to fly, but that won't be an option for my girlfriend.

 

Thanks for the tips guys, it looks like just waiting for the weekend to end before looking has already helped.

By what measure is Memphis the highest traffic airport? Certainly not for passenger flights. It is a busy airport primarily because of the FedEx hub, so... unless you want to ship yourself via FedEx, that doesn't help you much.

 

I lived in Memphis for a few years. Back then, there were three airlines running non-stops to Chicago: American, United and Northwest (which is now part of Delta). Northwest had a hub in Memphis. Are you saying no one does that route non-stop now? That would be really hard to believe.

 

EDIT: I just looked. At least three airlines run it non-stop now; American, Delta and United. So I am not sure where you are getting the idea no one does that non-stop.

 

The Southwest rumors have been around for at least a decade. Maybe now that Northwest is no longer, it will actually happen.

 

[StrangeSox]

Southwest will be taking over AirTran's current routes at Memphis, just as they are with most other AirTran routes. I doubt they add a non-stop to Chicago, though.

Edited November 12, 2012 by StrangeSox

[cabiness42]

If money is really an issue:

 

You can rent a car for about $150/week and round-trip gas would be about $150.

 

Greyhound is $88 round-trip.

 

 

[Jake]

By what measure is Memphis the highest traffic airport? Certainly not for passenger flights. It is a busy airport primarily because of the FedEx hub, so... unless you want to ship yourself via FedEx, that doesn't help you much.

 

I lived in Memphis for a few years. Back then, there were three airlines running non-stops to Chicago: American, United and Northwest (which is now part of Delta). Northwest had a hub in Memphis. Are you saying no one does that route non-stop now? That would be really hard to believe.

 

EDIT: I just looked. At least three airlines run it non-stop now; American, Delta and United. So I am not sure where you are getting the idea no one does that non-stop.

 

The Southwest rumors have been around for at least a decade. Maybe now that Northwest is no longer, it will actually happen.

 

Must have missed those non-stops due to price (cheap skate me!)

 

And yeah, I just meant in terms of all air traffic. I'd have to guess the passenger air traffic is poor compared to other similarly-sized metros, actually. There is plenty of runway space for expanded air traffic.

 

Southwest met up with the airport people a few months ago, but nobody really said what came of it. AirTran's current presence certainly guarantees some Southwest involvement in the future. I also heard Delta is on the way out here, which would certainly leave a void if true.

[NorthSideSox72]

If money is really an issue:

 

You can rent a car for about $150/week and round-trip gas would be about $150.

 

Greyhound is $88 round-trip.

Also, Amtrak runs a route from Memphis to Chicago (actually goes all the way from New Orleans to Chicago, stops in Memphis). Runs once a day, I think.

 

[Jake]

I think I'll be okay having her fly AirTran, but I'll look into bus/train as well. My girlfriend traveling alone will probably have some reservation about being on a bus or train...unfounded or not, I won't push it if she does

[cabiness42]

Also, Amtrak runs a route from Memphis to Chicago (actually goes all the way from New Orleans to Chicago, stops in Memphis). Runs once a day, I think.

 

Yes, stops in Memphis and about 100 other places in between. Outside of the Boston-NY-Philly-Baltimore-DC corridor, Amtrak is almost always more expensive and very little if any faster than a bus. Amtrak needs express trains in order to be viable.

[Jake]

Fuuuu, the flight that popped up yesterday for $190 on AirTran already disappeared. Back to waiting for a better price, lol

[NorthSideSox72]

Fuuuu, the flight that popped up yesterday for $190 on AirTran already disappeared. Back to waiting for a better price, lol

Set up email alerts from Kayak or Hipmunk or the like. It will tell you when the fares change.

 

[Jake]

Set up email alerts from Kayak or Hipmunk or the like. It will tell you when the fares change.

 

On top of it.

 

Should I expect rates to drop or more flights to be added as I get closer to the date, or am I about to cost myself money by waiting? I know waiting until the very last minute can get you cheap tix, but I'm not really comfortable with that.

[NorthSideSox72]

On top of it.

 

Should I expect rates to drop or more flights to be added as I get closer to the date, or am I about to cost myself money by waiting? I know waiting until the very last minute can get you cheap tix, but I'm not really comfortable with that.

That depends. When is the date of the first flight? Typically - and this can vary a lot - flight prices bottom out about 3-4 weeks prior. Then inside 3 weeks they go up, then again at 2 weeks, and 1 week. But, there is a small percentage of them that go into wholesale mode during the week before. I wouldn't depend on that, though.

 

[Jake]

That depends. When is the date of the first flight? Typically - and this can vary a lot - flight prices bottom out about 3-4 weeks prior. Then inside 3 weeks they go up, then again at 2 weeks, and 1 week. But, there is a small percentage of them that go into wholesale mode during the week before. I wouldn't depend on that, though.

 

Our target date is 12/27 for departure (we're driving back, so it's one way)

 

I checked my credit statements from last year and I bought a ticket on 11/30 for an 12/27 flight for $185 a year ago. Not sure if that will hold up or not. It was AirTrain to Bloomington-Normal (BMI) -- so far the cheapest I see are to MDW and not BMI via AirTran

[NorthSideSox72]

Our target date is 12/27 for departure (we're driving back, so it's one way)

 

I checked my credit statements from last year and I bought a ticket on 11/30 for an 12/27 flight for $185 a year ago. Not sure if that will hold up or not. It was AirTrain to Bloomington-Normal (BMI) -- so far the cheapest I see are to MDW and not BMI via AirTran

12/27? Close to the holidays like that, there won't be a ton of deals coming.

 

[Jake]

12/27? Close to the holidays like that, there won't be a ton of deals coming.

 

I'm trying to decide if AirTran doesn't have a flight for that day (or within 3 days either direction) or if they are actually sold out already.

[flippedoutpunk]

spirit airlines is dirt cheap if you pack light and dont care about comfort

[Jake]

Just bit on a deal. American Airlines from MEM to ORD to BMI (Bloomington-Normal which is closer to me than Chicago). $144 + 5% cash back on my Chase Freedom Card. I don't know why it hadn't shown me this flight before, but it was unbelievably cheap and I bought it right away. She'll probably end up paying $25 to check a bag, but who cares. So happy I don't have to spend my entire XMas gift fund on this damn flight, lol. Thanks for the help guys.

Edited November 14, 2012 by Jake

[StrangeSox]

how long is she going to be in town for? I've fit a week and a half's worth of outdoor cold weather work clothes, boots, hardhat, laptop and tools into a carry-on and backpack before.

[Jake]

how long is she going to be in town for? I've fit a week and a half's worth of outdoor cold weather work clothes, boots, hardhat, laptop and tools into a carry-on and backpack before.

 

Until the 8th IIRC. She's a dainty one, she'll probably have a bag dedicated to just makeup, hair straightener, face wash, lotion, yadda yadda