Airfares suck

[beachreader]

I really really really should have done this all a month ago when I meant to, but I've been dilly-dallying.

I wanted to use frequent flier miles for my early December trip, but nothing good is coming up and I don't want to spend too many miles.

I can get a very decent non-stop flight on Continental leaving Sunday the 30th of November and returning Monday the 8th of December for a total of $540.50 (the base price is $443). They also had a Saturday night flight, arriving at 9:30 p.m., but I don't love the idea of that long drive at night. Of course, waking up in the morning fully there would be nice...

I'm wondering if I should just jump on it even though I don't really have a plan at this point.

Or maybe I'll re-look at my earlier-in-the-month plans and try that again.

I'm guessing there's no way on earth that fares are going to get any lower the way things are going these days, and they have a little note saying "only 5 tickets left at this price", but $540 is a chunk of change.

[kimba]

Have you tried using Kayak for fare comparison for those dates? If you are paying cash and not using miles then it's worth checking out. Also if you can be flexible on your days ... Maybe Dec 1 might be cheaper?

(I've got an easy to reach Kayak form on the story link in my sig).

[beachreader]

I checked your Kayak link (thanks), and they basically came up with the same flight, same price. I think Continental has one of those "use our site for the cheapest flights" thing.

The flights are non-stop and at good times of day, so maybe I should just assign the convenience factor a price of $100 (I really hate connections) and call it a deal.

[Gale in KY]

Ditto..they suck big time. :confused:

I have noticed in checking the charter airlines, via the travel sites (The big red fruit, Worry Free, V. Express etc) that they run some pretty good sales to sell out the charter seats about a month before the flight..if you feel lucky..sigh. Out of CVG right now, direct flight is almost $800! connecting flights are edging in on $700

I like airfarewatchdog dot com.
It shows you sales from your city of departure. Hotwire sometimes has a few dollars less on same fares. No good prices to be had out of this area..except Indy, and it's still $200 more than I paid in 2006. and a two hour drive.

Want to go back to Vieques BR? I can get there, direct flight from here for $193 roundtrip!;)

[beachreader]

Wow, that's a great rate to Vieques (or is that just to San Juan?). I really liked Vieques, but because you have to drive to get to the good beaches, I don't really feel any compulsion to go back.

If you've never seen a true bio-luminescent bay, though, you should definitely go. It's one of the last in the world, and development is encroaching even there.

[Lynnette]

I don't see fares going lower. We missed our flight home last week (long story involving car breakdown) and United wanted $375.00 each one way USING the tickets we had already purchased. Luckily my BIL works for United and got us home confirmed standby. There were still a lot of empty seats, and I'm thinking with people unable to afford the exorbitant airfare, the planes might not be flying full, so standby just might be the way to go.

[pepper]

Out of Dallas, it's $600-800-900/person times a family of four and that equals no vacation for Pepper and family this summer. And that $600 is on a charter...usually my ace in the hole...not so much this year.

I'm keeping my eye on the Worry Free specials that come out on Tues or Wed and told my husband be ready to get approved vacation time within a day so we can catch a reasonable fare. The specials are in the $300-400 range. Last year's specials were just below $200.

[irishgirl]

Beachreader...I'm not nearly as "seasoned" as most of you about booking airfare to Mexico (this was my first time) but I played the watch game with a flight from Cleveland to CUN on USA 3000 for months and ended up getting robbed. When I first looked it was $840 for 2 of us non-stop. Ended up paying (BF paid) $1200 and that was after they had come down from $1600!!! Crazy but still way more reasonable than any other airline and non-stop. After my experience I'd be afraid to wait....Best of luck. Tracy

[minniemex]

I booked my flight last Tuesday ~ fare dropped to $417PP from Mpls with 1 stop coming and going ~non stop was almost $1000PP:eek:. We had credit from our missed flight last December, so only had to pay $260 a ticket. Didn't hurt so bad. I don't think the prices will get any better:mad:

[Gale in KY]

For those who can possibly fly out of Indy, I am seeing fares below $500, a steal..compared to the other airports I can get to in 2 hrs time.

BR..That's to San Juan of course, then you gotta rent the car (or take a taxi) to Fajardo, then pay the ferry fee..to get to Vieques, where as you said, you have to have a vehicle to explore..and the place I stay, Teds has gone up in price, still a good deal but with the food expense, it will end up being close to the same cost of Tulum for me.

So, it's back to The Yucatan! I will always love Vieques, My first real snorkeling experience was in the Bio Bay and it was such fun to explore the beaches..finding them was the real adventure..lol.

Here's another idea if you can make it work..Orlando has consistenly reasonable fares to Cancun..if you can find a cheap seat to Orlando and make that your connection, then book out of Orlando to Cancun yourself, you might be able to save a few $$$

Same with Austin..with that cheap little airline there that Doug flies..if you can make Austin your connection at a reasonable price, hey, it's worth a shot..unfortunately, I can't get to Austin for less than $400, so it doesn't work for me..But, Pepper...it might work for you!

[austxdan]

Out of Dallas, it's $600-800-900/person times a family of four and that equals no vacation for Pepper and family this summer. And that $600 is on a charter...usually my ace in the hole...not so much this year.


Hey Pepper,

Have you considered trying Doug's travel route? Drive on down here to Austin and catch a flight on Viva Aerobus from the Austin South Terminal. I think with taxes and all it's around $300-ish/pp. Worth a shot for ya.


Good luck,
Dan

[james]

the new hybrid hydrogen fuel-cell electric airplanes will solve everything

[Lynnette]

I just did some calculations for USA3000. Our fare to PV in October has gone up $460...I'm so glad we booked last fall. I also calculated prices for the same time to Cancun and the fares have gone up $150 over what we usually pay....$934.00 RT non-stop for two, and fall is usually a bargain time for fares. I agree, I don't think prices will drop. It looks like we'll be lucky to manage one vacation per year to Mexico now, with prices being so high. Tourist areas will be hard hit as many people just can't afford to fly anymore.

[MakinHay]

We bought ours back in April for :dollarsign:390.00 (two months after we got back). Glad we did! I figured prices was going to sky-rocket. But I hope the price comes down for you guys:crossfingers:

[AdGuy]

There were still a lot of empty seats, and I'm thinking with people unable to afford the exorbitant airfare, the planes might not be flying full, so standby just might be the way to go.

I remember one day in Macro Economics 201 (that was the day I didn't fall asleep) they were talking about this thing called "Supply and Demand". As prices increased, demand decreased. In theory, Lynette, you're correct to believe there will be empty seats on planes in the future. The reality is that the Supply is also dropping as airlines are decreasing their inventory by ridding themselves of older, less fuel-efficient planes. I read somewhere that approximately 8% of the entire fleet has been grounded (and no additional planes have been added as the industry is in pretty bad shape financially right now) making future empty seats on planes as rare an in-flight meal.

That said, beachreader, I agree with everyone else and recommend buying tickets sooner rather than later. Gale's right about Orlando. I usually try to fly out of there rather than Jacksonville, Gainesville or Tampa. If you decide to connect through Florida you should look into Spirit Airlines (either out of Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, or Tampa) as they have pretty affordable flights to Cancun.

If you do decide to go with Continental (or any major airline), you may want to book your flight through Expedia by using this Mr. Rebates link: http://www.mrrebates.com?refid=124105

By doing so, you'll get the exact same pricing/ticket but receive a 2% rebate, which will buy a margarita or two! :)

[pepper]

Thanks Gale and Dan -

Austin is a possiblity. I'll have to see what they offer.
Houston (DH lives there anyway) is also possible - Continental has some direct flights that may be doable....but crikey!!...guess I've gotten spoiled having something reasonable 30 minutes away. Now I'd have to drive 3-4 hours to catch a flight!!

[beachreader]

OK, I guess maybe I should just jump on this one, but I will check Spirit. They fly out of Atlantic City around here, which isn't too far away, but given their one-way pricing, it's always ended up more expensive overall.

I'll check USA3000 too, and Jet Blue.

After using frequent-flier miles year after year, it hurts to have to actually pay for a ticket, but I think in the long run I've done pretty well.

[Lynnette]

You're right, Lee. My BIL said United is laying off 1600 employees this week and cutting back flights. I don't mind flying standby for spur of the moment travel, but not on a vacation that I've been planning for a long time.

BR....Spirit has been running a lot of specials for specific dates. Spirit and USA3000 are still offering lower fares than the major airlines.

[FITZ]

This weekend, hopefully, we're going to make our reservations using our United miles. I don't want to wait. I soo don't trust what is going on with the airlines. Between fuel costs, ridding of older planes, and the last minute "surprises" from many airlines lately, I figure just do it now, screw trying to save a few pesos. I was under the impression I couldn't use the miles for specials. I've even had thoughts that United miles might be questionable in November.

Anywho...We should (better) be there at the last week of November through the first week of December. Time to start planning a Tulum party!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[miguel]

"Supply and Demand". As prices increased, demand decreased.Unless it's price elastic...

[beachreader]

Anywho...We should (better) be there at the last week of November through the first week of December. Time to start planning a Tulum party!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Hey, Fitz! Maybe we'll end up down there together after all! Those are the dates I'm looking at. 11/29-12/8, I think, but I haven't booked yet.

[beachreader]

%$^$#^%@!!!!!


Damn it! I just lost $40 by not booking the flight last night.

I really wanted to wait another couple of days to hear back from my friend, but this is crazy. I can't believe there are any lower fares available for non-stop flights. Every other airline I've checked might have slightly lower fares, but all would involve layovers or other difficulties.

But there goes $40 of my holiday fund. I know, not much, but it just pisses me off that I could have done this yesterday.

If they didn't have such godawful cancellation policies, I could have booked it two weeks ago, but they make you pay through the nose to make changes after a flight is booked.

Yup, airlines suck.

I know, tough business, yadda yadda yadda, but they still suck.

[ilovewyoming]

the new hybrid hydrogen fuel-cell electric airplanes will solve everything

Very funny in a sick way....the whole gas price thing along with rising costs..pretty scary..we are about to go back to the old days when you just didnt fly etc because only the UPPER CLASS did...sad to say, but really: i think quite realisitc.. Not only do normal class people suffer, but what about the vendors/retailers/grocers..etc?

[Lynnette]

I've signed up for daily alerts and hope to snag a deal that way. It will prove interesting, to say the least, how many airlines survive. United just followed American's lead and are now charging $30 rt per checked bag, and I think it was US Air is not offering free beverages. Combine that with the xtra $$ for an aisle, exit row or extra leg room seat as well as a charge for "choosing" a specific seat.....that's jacking up the fares even more. :mad:

I'm so unhappy with airlines right now, that I had to post this on two threads.

[AdGuy]

I've signed up for daily alerts and hope to snag a deal that way. It will prove interesting, to say the least, how many airlines survive. United just followed American's lead and are now charging $30 rt per checked bag, and I think it was US Air is not offering free beverages. Combine that with the xtra $$ for an aisle, exit row or extra leg room seat as well as a charge for "choosing" a specific seat.....that's jacking up the fares even more. :mad:

I'm so unhappy with airlines right now, that I had to post this on two threads.


When we flew on Ted (United's now defunct airline) last month, they had an 85 year old woman in the emergency row. When asked if she could lift the 65 pound door she said "no" and was moved. I, being in the row behind her asked if I could take her place and was told "only if you exit the aircraft, pay $50 for a premium seat, and bring your receipt back to me. As you can guess, I declined and the seat sat empty.

I'm convinced we'll soon be weighed as we enter the plane and charged a fare based on some fuel/energy formula. Gone are the days of even a remote hint of luxury associated with air travel. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_38.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[rockgeek]

Mexicana just cancelled our route from Portland to Guadalajara (to Cancun)!! I got a great deal from Portland to Cancun for ~$360 each (in mid Feb 2009). Now we have reservations at La Luna etc and not sure we can afford any more to get there! Any help or tips would be appreciated... we were really skimming the bottom of the barrel for this trip!

[kimba]

I'm taking the bus next time.

[DougSR]

No one wants to hear of my good fortune again but I'm still sitting on the $146 RT flight from Austin. It's no frills but you know what? I don't ever want frills again! I want courtesy instead. Just be nice to me. Get me where I want to go and bring me a cold beer for a reasonable price sometime between Texas and Mexico. That's it! These big American airlines have had it to good to long. The only one that has managed themself decently is Southwest. I think I read SW is the only airline that somehow locked in the price of gas.

[Lynnette]

That's horrible, Rockgeek....I'm so sorry. After your experience, I wonder if we'll be seeing more airlines cancel flights, and routes. I guess that makes trip insurance a must.

[pepper]

No one wants to hear of my good fortune again but I'm still sitting on the $146 RT flight from Austin. It's no frills but you know what? I don't ever want frills again! I want courtesy instead. Just be nice to me. Get me where I want to go and bring me a cold beer for a reasonable price sometime between Texas and Mexico. That's it! These big American airlines have had it to good to long. The only one that has managed themself decently is Southwest. I think I read SW is the only airline that somehow locked in the price of gas.

Alright, Doug...you made me look. There are some sweet deals at Viva Aerobus. If we're going to do it, this is the only way it's gonna happen. Hotwire a hotel overnight at the Austin airport and take off the next morning....

[MakinHay]

No one wants to hear of my good fortune again but I'm still sitting on the $146 RT flight from Austin. It's no frills but you know what? I don't ever want frills again! I want courtesy instead. Just be nice to me. Get me where I want to go and bring me a cold beer for a reasonable price sometime between Texas and Mexico. That's it! These big American airlines have had it to good to long. The only one that has managed themself decently is Southwest. I think I read SW is the only airline that somehow locked in the price of gas.

Try to get that price for February? Is it possible?

[Lynnette]

Maybe we should buy our tickets through Orbitz. They are offering to refund the difference if the fare drops (for the same date/time) AFTER you have booked, and paid a higher price.

http://www.orbitz.com/App/PerformMDLPDealsContent?deal_id=orbitz-price-assurance&cnt=OVI

[Lynnette]

Just for kicks I checked to see what USA3000 was charging for our flights in April '09.....already sold out (Apple) and I'll bet they don't add another flight. Spirit wants about $1000/ea. We might be going back to Siesta Key and skipping Tulum with rising air & accommodation costs. We used to go twice/year and now once in 12 months is looking iffy. :(

[AdGuy]

We might be going back to Siesta Key and skipping Tulum with rising air & accommodation costs. We used to go twice/year and now once in 12 months is looking iffy. :(


YYEEEESSSSS...HEAD BACK TO FFFFLLLLOOORRRRIIIIDDDDAA! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_5_4.gif (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smileycentral. com%2F%3Fpartner%3DZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[Lynnette]

YYEEEESSSSS...HEAD BACK TO FFFFLLLLOOORRRRIIIIDDDDAA! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_5_4.gif (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smileycentral. com%2F%3Fpartner%3DZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)


LOL BTW, Lee......A manatee swam within 5 feet of us in the gulf. I was told that isn't a common sight....what a thrill. We'll be back to SK again & again.

Sorry for the hijack.

[rockgeek]

Since Mexicana canceled our route to Cancun (and our cheap reservations!) I'm looking to do some research into whether there is any chance that airfares will get any better in the next 6 months :crossfingers: (we're planning on going in mid Feb)... I'm sure that's tough to predict. I'd like to figure out whether to cancel our La Luna reservations or not.

Anybody know of a helpful air travel discussion board?

[minniemex]

Rockgeek ~ have you signed up for "Buzz" on Kayak?? Check out this thread ~
http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1377&highlight=buzz+kayak

Might be of some help to you.

[beachreader]

OK, thanks to a heads-up from Minniemex, I re-checked my potential flights and fares have dropped back to where they were a month or so ago (i.e., base price of $418, total $515) for non-stops out of my local airport with Continental. I can go either 10/26-11/3 or 11/30-12/8 (and I know the Fitzes will be there then).

So I'm somewhat relieved and thinking I might go that route after I check a few more places.

And of course now my family is talking about Christmas with my brother in Nevada, and that will be another chunk of change.

Sigh. Don't these people realize I have priorities on where I spend my money on overpriced airfare? :rolleyes:

[Gale in KY]

I have entertained the idea of a different destination..I even thought about doing something I never thought I would do and head back to Florida..St. Augustine is a sweet little town..but I really can't stand the idea of not seeing Tulum again..so I am hoping the airfare insanity ends with the fall prices. One can hope right?

With all the instability in airlines right now, I will wait to book my fall airfare last ninute..hopefully that's less chance for the airline to go under and stop operating before I board a flight to Cancun..lol.

Looks like we will miss each other BR..we are arriving the 13th-20th.

[TnTWalter]

Planning our next family vacation and Lee your smiley worked!

LOL.

We're DRIVING and staying at WDW for a week and then heading to Anna Maria Island for a week. I'm excited. This will be our first off-site visit to WDW. I do love it!! Such a fun family vacation. And we're staying across the street from the beach at AMI so it should be great fun and relaxing. TWO WEEKS. I've never taken more than 6 day vacations. Woo Hoo. Of course I'll have the kids so not so much vacation. LOL.

14 hour drive though.:eek:

Although I'm still dreaming of a return to Tulum...some day.....

Forgot to add the useful part to this post...duh...

two great websites for searching flexible international airfare:

www.itasoftware.com (http://www.itasoftware.com)

www.zuji.com (http://www.zuji.com) [travelocity international version]

don't book through them but can search for cheaper airfare.




:beerchug:

[beachreader]

Looks like we will miss each other BR..we are arriving the 13th-20th.


Figures, right? The only time you take a full week! :)

Actually, I'm at sales conference in Denver the week of the 10th, but one of the things I'm going to check is on airfares out of Denver (where conference is). If they're super cheap from there I might try to run down and meet up with you guys. Problem is I really shouldn't be away from my cat for two full weeks, but I'll figure something.

[Gale in KY]

We haven't booked our air yet, so we can adjust this a bit..the only solid thing I have right now is being at Dan's place 15th-18th. We could easily tack our remaining days ont he end of the visit, but I hate arriving on a Saturday, two hour visits at the airport are not in my plans..lol.

If we do that, we will be there the 15th-22nd and we really could take an extra day and not depart until the 23rd.

Would love to meet up with you again! check Worry Free for airfares, they have been running some major sales..making me wish I was close to anywhere they fly out of!

[minniemex]

Gale, don't be so envious of those "worryfree" flights ~ I just checked last week for fares and they are not flying (as of right now) to Cancun from here (Mpls) from August until Dec 20th. They always took off late August to early Oct but are now not flying an additional 2 months.:confused:

Beachreader ~ I feel for your cat, I really do, but we would like to see you more than she/he does.

[beachreader]

Airfares out of Denver were even worse than I was getting from home, so I'm all set now.

I am actually arriving on a Saturday (hate it) and leaving on a Sunday (hate that more) but I scheduled it that way because it would give my friend a better chance at joining me.

11/29-12/7, so Fitz, I'll be looking for you along the beach road!

[DougSR]

Airfares out of Denver were even worse than I was getting from home, so I'm all set now.

I am actually arriving on a Saturday (hate it) and leaving on a Sunday (hate that more) but I scheduled it that way because it would give my friend a better chance at joining me.

11/29-12/7, so Fitz, I'll be looking for you along the beach road!

With really cheap airfares from Austin ($146 RT) I can go twice a year. But I think those days are finished. I may be back to once every other year now.

[Lynnette]

Not only do they suck, flights are being canceled. Here is a quote from a PV newspaper. "Stay alert concerning airlines. Flights are being canceled to Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta, so keep double-checking." So far, we're good to go in October.

[susan]

This is what happened to me. We were all set to go to Zihua- Barra de Potosi. Had made all of our reservations and then Frontier cancelled 90% of their flights. They would not make arrangements for us on another airline until 30 days in advance of our departure or give us a guarantee that we could even get to Zihua so I took my money back instead. Lucky for me though as we discovered Tulum.

[Lynnette]

This is what happened to me. We were all set to go to Zihua- Barra de Potosi. Had made all of our reservations and then Frontier cancelled 90% of their flights. They would not make arrangements for us on another airline until 30 days in advance of our departure or give us a guarantee that we could even get to Zihua so I took my money back instead. Lucky for me though as we discovered Tulum.

Sometimes fate gives you a gift. We discovered Akumal/Tulum after being displaced by a hurricane that rendered our accommodations uninhabitable on Isla Mujeres. :)

[beachreader]

That's funny. I discovered Tulum after my favorite place, Kailuum, closed. I'd heard other guests talking about Tulum, that it had the funky vibe we all liked, so when KL closed, off I went!

[DougSR]

You know, I always heard "Strike while the iron is hot." The Viva Aerobus fares have provided me with two getaways this year at around $150 RT.

I'm not bragging. I'm just acknowledging the fact that I may never be able to do 3 Mexico trips in 13 months again. But this has been an extremely fortunate vacationing time for me. The Mayan gods have certainly smiled on me. :)

[sctx]

You know, I always heard "Strike while the iron is hot." The Viva Aerobus fares have provided me with two getaways this year at around $150 RT.

I'm not bragging. I'm just acknowledging the fact that I may never be able to do 3 Mexico trips in 13 months again. But this has been an extremely fortunate vacationing time for me. The Mayan gods have certainly smiled on me. :)

I checked a few days ago and Monday flights are still $29.99..... so, about $160 RT ???

[susan]

That's funny. I discovered Tulum after my favorite place, Kailuum, closed. I'd heard other guests talking about Tulum, that it had the funky vibe we all liked, so when KL closed, off I went!

Lynette- "Sometimes fate gives you a gift. We discovered Akumal/Tulum after being displaced by a hurricane that rendered our accommodations uninhabitable on Isla Mujeres

Yes at the time I was pretty upset but I now consider myself blessed- as Louis Armstrong said "and I think to myself what a wonderful world"

[DougSR]

I checked a few days ago and Monday flights are still $29.99..... so, about $160 RT ???

Yeah Scott. Prolly between $160 and $180 without insurance.

[sctx]

Yeah Scott. Prolly between $160 and $180 without insurance.

I've got a party w/ margo penciled in for next May :)