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#1
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
Howdy Campers,
I'm currently planning a visit to Canada/US based to spend Christmas with a friend and New Years at Times Square based on the rough itinerary; 22nd Dec - Sydney to L.A. 23rd Dec - L.A. to Vancouver 29th Dec - Vancouver to New York 4th Jan - New York to Las Vegas 7th Jan - Las Vegas to Sydney (Via L.A.?) Having never really booked a trip with stop-overs, can anyone advise whether I'm likely to be better off trying to book a multi-city flight plan with the stopovers - or just buying a normal return or one way ticket to L.A. and then just organising the other legs (and return flight) separately? Obviously, it's not exactly cheap season, so I'm trying to keep the price as reasonable as possible and I've got a good deal on the table for the first leg to L.A. that I'd like to book if it's the best way? Can any seasoned travellers throughout the US recommend whether I should lock it in and set about looking online for the other legs, or is buying the one multi-stop ticket usually more cost-effective. Likewise, what timeframe (ie one week before, three months before etc) is generally the best time to book the cheapest flights? Finally, can anyone recommend any decent websites for domestic flights throughout US and Canada? Any and all help is appreciated. |
#2
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
Hi,
I would use a service like Kayak (www.kayak.com) to compare the rates you can get online and the rates you can get through a travel agent. I would separate the ticket to Sydney-LA-Sydney and the domestic flights. Gadi "Joey Hoffnaagle" wrote in message ... Howdy Campers, I'm currently planning a visit to Canada/US based to spend Christmas with a friend and New Years at Times Square based on the rough itinerary; 22nd Dec - Sydney to L.A. 23rd Dec - L.A. to Vancouver 29th Dec - Vancouver to New York 4th Jan - New York to Las Vegas 7th Jan - Las Vegas to Sydney (Via L.A.?) Having never really booked a trip with stop-overs, can anyone advise whether I'm likely to be better off trying to book a multi-city flight plan with the stopovers - or just buying a normal return or one way ticket to L.A. and then just organising the other legs (and return flight) separately? Obviously, it's not exactly cheap season, so I'm trying to keep the price as reasonable as possible and I've got a good deal on the table for the first leg to L.A. that I'd like to book if it's the best way? Can any seasoned travellers throughout the US recommend whether I should lock it in and set about looking online for the other legs, or is buying the one multi-stop ticket usually more cost-effective. Likewise, what timeframe (ie one week before, three months before etc) is generally the best time to book the cheapest flights? Finally, can anyone recommend any decent websites for domestic flights throughout US and Canada? Any and all help is appreciated. |
#3
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
On Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:00:38 +1100, Joey Hoffnaagle wrote:
Howdy Campers, I'm currently planning a visit to Canada/US based to spend Christmas with a friend and New Years at Times Square based on the rough itinerary; 22nd Dec - Sydney to L.A. 23rd Dec - L.A. to Vancouver 29th Dec - Vancouver to New York 4th Jan - New York to Las Vegas 7th Jan - Las Vegas to Sydney (Via L.A.?) Having never really booked a trip with stop-overs, can anyone advise whether I'm likely to be better off trying to book a multi-city flight plan with the stopovers - or just buying a normal return or one way ticket to L.A. and then just organising the other legs (and return flight) separately? Obviously, it's not exactly cheap season, so I'm trying to keep the price as reasonable as possible and I've got a good deal on the table for the first leg to L.A. that I'd like to book if it's the best way? Can any seasoned travellers throughout the US recommend whether I should lock it in and set about looking online for the other legs, or is buying the one multi-stop ticket usually more cost-effective. Likewise, what timeframe (ie one week before, three months before etc) is generally the best time to book the cheapest flights? Finally, can anyone recommend any decent websites for domestic flights throughout US and Canada? Any and all help is appreciated. It's generally best to book it all at once, multi-stop as you called it. Usually best prices are available if you buy at least 30 days prior to flying. Some sites for tickets: http://www.expedia.com http://www.cheaptickets.com http://www.travelocity.com -- "Ubuntu" -- an African word, meaning "Slackware is too hard for me". "Bother!" said Pooh, as he garotted another passing Liberal. Usenet Improvement Project: http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/ |
#4
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
On Nov 8, 2:00*am, "Joey Hoffnaagle" wrote:
Howdy Campers, I'm currently planning a visit to Canada/US based to spend Christmas with a friend and New Years at Times Square based on the rough itinerary; 22nd Dec - Sydney to L.A. 23rd Dec - L.A. to Vancouver 29th Dec - Vancouver to New York 4th Jan - New York to Las Vegas 7th Jan - Las Vegas to Sydney (Via L.A.?) Having never really booked a trip with stop-overs, can anyone advise whether I'm likely to be better off trying to book a multi-city flight plan with the stopovers - or just buying a normal return or one way ticket to L.A. and then just organising the other legs (and return flight) separately? Obviously, it's not exactly cheap season, so I'm trying to keep the price as reasonable as possible and I've got a good deal on the table for the first leg to L.A. that I'd like to book if it's the best way? Can any seasoned travellers throughout the US recommend whether I should lock it in and set about looking online for the other legs, or is buying the one multi-stop ticket usually more cost-effective. Likewise, what timeframe (ie one week before, three months before etc) is generally the best time to book the cheapest flights? Finally, can anyone recommend any decent websites for domestic flights throughout US and Canada? Any and all help is appreciated. Sometimes (like what you are doing, stopping at two different countries) it's best to use a travel agent. |
#5
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
I'm currently planning a visit to Canada/US based to spend Christmas with a
friend and New Years at Times Square based on the rough itinerary; 22nd Dec - Sydney to L.A. 23rd Dec - L.A. to Vancouver 29th Dec - Vancouver to New York 4th Jan - New York to Las Vegas 7th Jan - Las Vegas to Sydney (Via L.A.?) I concur with the advice that if you want to do this trip, you should book promptly because fares will increase and flights will sell out. First, I would make sure you really want to spend that much time on airplanes. Vancouver to N.Y. is 4000 km and N.Y. to Vegas is 3600 km, which for comparision is about the same as Perth to Brisbane. If that what you want to do, I would first get my round trip from Sydney to North America. The only cities with service to Sydney are L.A., San Francisco, and Vancouver, so if you want to fly back from Vegas, you'll have to change in S.F. or L.A., and will probably need a separate ticket for that. For the flights within the US, there are Visit USA (VUSA) tickets available only to non-residents that must be booked abroad, e.g. http://www2.usairways.com/en-US/spec...rams/vusa.html They'd probably be a good deal for this itinerary. Some VUSA programs include Vancouver, but you'll probably fly through Seattle anyway, since there is only one nonstop flight a day to N.Y., the tail end of a Cathay Flight from Hong Kong. If you are visiting friends in Vancouver, they might be willing to take you to SEA, particularly since the C$ is very strong relative to the US$ so it'd give them a chance to do some shopping. If you do that, you might reorganize your trip to fly directly to Vancouver on a split United/Air Canada ticket. If you can find a good agent locally, this is the kind of trip where they can really provide value, checking the various VUSA tickets against normal fares, looking at some of the low fare airlines that don't show up in the regular computers (notably Westjet in Canada, Southwest and Jetblue in the US), and figuring out the best overall fares and routes for you. R's, John |
#6
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
"Joey Hoffnaagle" wrote in message ... Howdy Campers, I'm currently planning a visit to Canada/US based to spend Christmas with a friend and New Years at Times Square based on the rough itinerary; 22nd Dec - Sydney to L.A. 23rd Dec - L.A. to Vancouver 29th Dec - Vancouver to New York 4th Jan - New York to Las Vegas 7th Jan - Las Vegas to Sydney (Via L.A.?) Having never really booked a trip with stop-overs, can anyone advise whether I'm likely to be better off trying to book a multi-city flight plan with the stopovers - or just buying a normal return or one way ticket to L.A. and then just organising the other legs (and return flight) separately? Obviously, it's not exactly cheap season, so I'm trying to keep the price as reasonable as possible and I've got a good deal on the table for the first leg to L.A. that I'd like to book if it's the best way? Can any seasoned travellers throughout the US recommend whether I should lock it in and set about looking online for the other legs, or is buying the one multi-stop ticket usually more cost-effective. Likewise, what timeframe (ie one week before, three months before etc) is generally the best time to book the cheapest flights? Finally, can anyone recommend any decent websites for domestic flights throughout US and Canada? Any and all help is appreciated. Don't rely on the web. You need to use the services of an agency so you talk through your options. Try http://www.trailfinders.com.au/travel-centre/syd or http://www.flightcentre.com.au/. Talking doesn't stop you using the web later when you're better informed. Couple of comments. Crossing the border to Canada by air might have a surprising (negative) effect on price. Investigate flying to Seattle and taking Amtrak or Greyhound across the border. US rules relating to international air fares seem to often permit a "free" stopover at your gateway (e.g. Los Angeles) of up to 24 hours. So arrive from Sydney at 1100 and depart at or before 1059 and you may simply pay the fare to Vancouver (or Seattle!). I've certainly done that by catching the last flight from Denver to Chicago arriving after the last London flight had left, and catching the second (of 3) flights back to London. |
#7
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
Joey I would strongly recommend that you visit your nearest Flight Centre or
STA office. There are many pitfalls in multi city booking over the net when you are not experienced - you could inadvertently cost yourself much time (and money). Unfortunately the times you are looking to book are super peak times in and out of Australia. Fares on the USA - Aust routes have been very cheap (still are) but not after Christmas. Are you aware of how much time you will be spending in the air covering those huge distances. Sydney to LA can take up to 19 hours (depending on the routing). LA to Vancouver; Vancouver to NYC; NYC to Las Vegas - all are loooong flights "Joey Hoffnaagle" wrote in message ... Howdy Campers, I'm currently planning a visit to Canada/US based to spend Christmas with a friend and New Years at Times Square based on the rough itinerary; 22nd Dec - Sydney to L.A. 23rd Dec - L.A. to Vancouver 29th Dec - Vancouver to New York 4th Jan - New York to Las Vegas 7th Jan - Las Vegas to Sydney (Via L.A.?) Having never really booked a trip with stop-overs, can anyone advise whether I'm likely to be better off trying to book a multi-city flight plan with the stopovers - or just buying a normal return or one way ticket to L.A. and then just organising the other legs (and return flight) separately? Obviously, it's not exactly cheap season, so I'm trying to keep the price as reasonable as possible and I've got a good deal on the table for the first leg to L.A. that I'd like to book if it's the best way? Can any seasoned travellers throughout the US recommend whether I should lock it in and set about looking online for the other legs, or is buying the one multi-stop ticket usually more cost-effective. Likewise, what timeframe (ie one week before, three months before etc) is generally the best time to book the cheapest flights? Finally, can anyone recommend any decent websites for domestic flights throughout US and Canada? Any and all help is appreciated. |
#8
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:23:11 +1000, A Mate wrote:
Are you aware of how much time you will be spending in the air covering those huge distances. Sydney to LA can take up to 19 hours (depending on the routing). LA to Vancouver; Vancouver to NYC; NYC to Las Vegas - all are loooong flights How would you suggest he shorten those distances...? -- "Ubuntu" -- an African word, meaning "Slackware is too hard for me". "Bother!" said Pooh, as he garotted another passing Liberal. Usenet Improvement Project: http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/ |
#9
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
The degree to which your itinerary involves Canada lets out some of
the discount airlines. If ground transportation to/from Vancouver works for you, the Seattle airport might open up more such options. southwest.com, jetblue.com, usairways.com (a major that seems to have absorbed America West, and which serves Vancouver), alaskaair.com, and frontierairlines.com are among the sites worth a glance at their route map for at least part of your trip, in addition to the major international airlines you know about. A possibility to keep in mind is the use of secondary airports near your destination (possibly nearER your actual ground destination!), like Islip, Long Island for NYC or perhaps Burbank, Long Beach, Orange County, etc. for the LA area. Some of these airlines have software apps (like Southwest's "Ding!") or mailing lists for the bargain hunter. Two or three weeks in advance will often do -- especially if it is feasible for you to come a bit earlier (you're probably staying long enough into January) so as to miss the peak of holiday travel, when (a) it's always a zoo and (b) the airlines don't have to offer bargains. You might want to use these resources to get an idea of the possibilities and then consult a travel agent who's familiar with the US. Enjoy your trip, --Joe |
#10
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Best way to book flights to/in the US?
Joey Hoffnaagle wrote:
Howdy Campers, I'm currently planning a visit to Canada/US based to spend Christmas with a friend and New Years at Times Square based on the rough itinerary; 22nd Dec - Sydney to L.A. 23rd Dec - L.A. to Vancouver 29th Dec - Vancouver to New York 4th Jan - New York to Las Vegas 7th Jan - Las Vegas to Sydney (Via L.A.?) Book the Sydney to L.A. round trip and then book the flights in North America separately. You might look into renting a car for Seattle to Vancouver and back if your objective is to save money. The flights to/from Canada are likely to be very pricey. There are also buses for about $55 each way. Check out JetBlue who prices each segment of their flights separately and doesn't charge extra for non-round trips. The downside of JetBlue is if they cancel your flight and can't book you on another one of their flights, they refund your money for the segment and leave you to purchase a full fare, no-advance purchase, ticket on another airline. Happened to my mother, and happens to quite a few people apparently. |
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