If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Non-traveler needing air travel advice
For a first time traveler or even an experienced traveler, your best bet is a seasoned travel agent. Sound advice -- especially as we come up on the traditionally very busy Thanksgiving travel rush. My (mis)understanding is that domestic bereavement or compassionate fares have to some extent fallen by the wayside in the increasingly hard-nosed and low-margin world of air travel. But a good travel agent would know -- and as others have pointed out, would also have access to insider knowledge about any other special deals that might be available. You might also have access to some of this kind of service through one of your credit cards or the auto club. Speaking of which, is driving a possibility for you? It's one long day or two easy ones, and if you have a reliable car that gets good highway mileage (or can get a deal on an unlimited-mileage weeklong rental), the cost could be fairly competitive with air travel. For calibration purposes: A round trip in the mid $300 range is not bad for short-notice purchase at a busy time of year. I'd be happy to get a thousand-mile domestic flight for $200 RT even with substantial advance purchase or some sort of special sale. Expect to be locked into dates and times if you go for a deep-discount fare -- airlines are happy to give you all the flexibility you're willing to pay for. With sympathies and best wishes, --Joe |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Non-traveler needing air travel advice
On Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:51:56 -0800, SMS wrote:
Peetie Wheatstraw wrote: On Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:01:09 -0800, SMS wrote: Sidestep is about the best you can do. Hmmmm. However remember that Southwest flies from St. Louis to Tampa, and they don't appear on Sidestep, so check them separately. I did. What I got(depart 11-16-08 return 11-19-08): US Airways - $355 (via Sidestep) SW with all (?) fees - $590 But the Sidestep/USA quote doesn't include Gawd-knows-what-all BS fees? How does one compare? The hard part is the three days notice. I know, I know. :-( Southwest can sometimes be much cheaper, but it is often no bargain. SW has fares as low as $89 each way for that route, but not with 3 days notice. So US Air is $235 cheaper than SW. This is ~40% cheaper. Such differentials are common? Are outfits like Orbitz and US Air reliable? Any Gotcha's?? I know about baggage fees (maybe $15). I recently went from the SF Bay Area to Las Vegas for a trade show, on 1 days notice, and U.S. Air was the cheapest by far. I had no checked bags, and I didn't buy one of their drinks. If water's still free, that's all I'll be drinking. :-) Thx, Peetie |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Non-traveler needing air travel advice
Peetie Wheatstraw wrote:
If water's still free, that's all I'll be drinking. :-) I don't think they have free water. You can buy bottled water. I take a Nalgene bottle, or a stainless steel thermos, empty, through security, then fill it up at the water fountain past security. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Non-traveler needing air travel advice
On Nov 14, 11:51*am, Peetie Wheatstraw
wrote: On Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:51:56 -0800, SMS wrote: Peetie Wheatstraw wrote: On Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:01:09 -0800, SMS wrote: Sidestep is about the best you can do. Hmmmm. However remember that Southwest flies from St. Louis to Tampa, and they don't appear on Sidestep, so check them separately. I did. What I got(depart 11-16-08 return 11-19-08): US Airways - $355 (via Sidestep) SW with all (?) fees - $590 But the Sidestep/USA quote doesn't include Gawd-knows-what-all BS fees? How does one compare? The hard part is the three days notice. I know, I know. :-( Southwest can sometimes be much cheaper, but it is often no bargain. SW has fares as low as $89 each way for that route, but not with 3 days notice. So US Air is $235 cheaper than SW. This is ~40% cheaper. Such differentials are common? Are outfits like Orbitz and US Air reliable? Any Gotcha's?? I know about baggage fees (maybe $15). I recently went from the SF Bay Area to Las Vegas for a trade show, on 1 days notice, and U.S. Air was the cheapest by far. I had no checked bags, and I didn't buy one of their drinks. If water's still free, that's all I'll be drinking. :-) * Thx, * Peetie- Southwest still gives out free non alcoholic drinks and a bag of pretzels. Don't know about US Air. How do you mean reliable? |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
is a seasoned travel agent. Travel bots can't take the time to listen to your specific needs. They can't help you out if you show up at the hotel or car rental finding out they have no reservation for you and everything is booked. |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
Non-traveler needing air travel advice
I can't avoid it any longer. Dear relative is dying. I must arrange
round-trip St. Louis - Tampa, FL, hotel, car, etc on perhaps 3 day notice, You are going to take a "hit" by booking less tha7/14 days ahead. Have you considered a visit BEFORE the event ? That said, I ve been getting the best fares to TPA ( from AZ) on www.continental.com You could also check www.southwest.com or www.orbitz.com |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
Non-traveler needing air travel advice
I can't avoid it any longer. Dear relative is dying. I must
arrange round-trip St. Louis - Tampa, FL, hotel, car, etc. on perhaps 3 day notice, ---------------- Just saw this and want to say that... Last Summer, I got word that my Aunt was on the way out, but we did not wait for it to happen. We booked our flights 40 days out, saving enuff on airfare that both my wife and I could go and say our good-byes. She passed away as we we heading back to the airport. I am much happier that we did it that way, even though we could not stay for services. If attending the funeral is more important, a few airlines still offer berevement fares. What I would do is go to the STL airport website or a meta-search engine www.kayak.com, get the names of all the airlines that fly that route and then check their websites or call them to see if they do and how to book. |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
southwest is great! i've flown them before! i'd definitely recommend it!! |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
Non-traveler needing air travel advice
Agents don't get commission for booking airfare.
I was under the impression that most agents now charge a fee for booking flights. James |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Amateur Traveler - Episode 107 - Solo Travel as a Woman | chris2x[_2_] | Travel - anything else not covered | 0 | September 23rd, 2007 05:18 AM |
10 Travel tips for the International Traveler | Anitha | Backpacking and Budget travel | 1 | January 17th, 2006 05:47 PM |
FA: frustrated writer/traveller needing professional help? | wcmoore | Travel Marketplace | 0 | February 16th, 2005 10:57 PM |
Advice for a first time traveler to Phuket please | Lord Wayne | Asia | 3 | October 28th, 2004 12:54 PM |
For anyone needing a pre-cruise hotel in NOLA | Jean O'Boyle | Cruises | 4 | March 20th, 2004 07:11 AM |