Air Travel - How To Find Bargins

[chords]

Looking for tips or ideas on how to get lowest airfare. I rarely travel.

Planning a trip for April 5 - 11 Detroit to Phoenix. We are flexible on days and departure times - so we dont have to leave exactly on those dates or certain time, but thats what we are shooting for. And dont want to hang around doing a standby or anything - would like to make a known reservation. And not looking for a package with Hotels. We will stay with relatives and maybe a nite or 2 at hotel. If we need one we'll just find one.

I know SWest offers their "DING" specials, but that requires downloading something on my PC and dont want to go there. Maybe worth it ?
I am aware of Travelocity & Expedient of whatever but dont know thing about them.

Should I just keep checking on SW.com (I heard Tue is a bargin day ?)

Thanks

 

[yamahauler]

try travelocity, expedia, hotwire, and if you find something on there book it, they are legit.

Keep checking on the airline websites, ya never know.

If you are a risk taker, try waiting til the last minute and you can usually find some killer deals but you can also be screwed as well if nothing is available.

If you don't care about the carrier, try JetBlue or an off name like that if they fly out of Detroit.

 

[yamahauler]

It can't hurt to check a travel agency either. Flew to Hawaii once and they were cheaper after all fees by $75/person.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

The above mentioned Travelocity and Expedia are good to work with. Very easy to book, just pick your day and time and they'll give you a series of flights to choose from. Try to stay clear of Mondays & Fridays as they're heavy Business Travel days and usually the fares are higher. Cheaper fares are usually on mutliple leg trips (stops and tranfers along the way) The non stops are the higher priced fares, you may also find a bargain by flying at night or on weekends.

Have your credit card handy as you'll need that when you first sign in, it'll take a little while to work through all the info that they require but once you're signed in it's really easy to book your flight. Just show up at the airport with your receipt (which you'll print out at home) and check in.

Good luck and travel safely!

 

[700classic]

Don't know where you are located in MI. but try flying out of local airport( Flint,Lansing,Grand Rapids, etc.). Sometimes cheaper, usually much easier with quicker check in and security.

 

[polarisrider1]

Don't know where you are located in MI. but try flying out of local airport( Flint,Lansing,Grand Rapids, etc.). Sometimes cheaper, usually much easier with quicker check in and security.

Flying out of GR is expensive. Flying out of Muskegon or lansing much less. But then again what you going to spend in parking and gas to get to the best rate airport?

 

[MZEMS2]

Don't rule out going to a travel agent. These days I think they're doing everything they can for business, so you may get a decent pkg that way. Might save you a lot of dinkin around. Otherwise, the above mentioned are good too. I've used Expedia several times without any issues at all.

 

[mjkaliszak]

I like flying out of the small town " ho-dunk " airport. They might cost more but for a couple of hunded... no 1.5 hr car drive, then traffic, then security, ect... I will also check for complaints if looking at a small unknown carrier ( like Rip Off Report ). Some people luck out others pay the price for the small carriers. You have to do your homework. Actually ... I like flying 20 years ago way better than the cattle shippers nowadays...
It is always somewhat annoying when stuffed into a tube shaped pop can with 200 people. Just plain " sucks ". Worse if there are multiple stops and your a smoker.... a real black sheep I'll tell ya. Then you fly enough to be upgraded and the arse next to you in 1st class pops off his shoes and the entire front of the plane pays.....LOL

I dont like sitting elbow to elbow with anyone.

Barring a snowmobilier !

 

[scott_l]

If you have the time take a look at flying into Las Vegas and then drive to Phoenix (straight drive about 5-6 hrs).

Again if you have time maybe spend one night in Vegas, maybe stop at Hoover Dam, maybe take a detour and go to the Grand Canyon (the southern rim would be more in line for your drive), maybe go north east out of Vegas and there is a big national park.

I personally enjoy driving/sight seeing, but not for all!

I also have family in AZ and we do this all the time.

Flights and car rental are usually cheaper in and out of Vegas compared to Phoenix

good luck

 

[chords]

All good ideas. Been scrolling thru and clicking away. Its so confusing, almost like I should be taking notes (I havnt) After 13 windows opened Buddy. com - Kayak.com .......... I said enough and hit the off button.

Someone mentioned flying out of small/local. I'm going to check Bishop from Flint. I read a built in fee for flights out of Detroit Metro include a "Hub" charge that jack up the price. Want a non-stop.

 

[alonzamiller]

I think you don't need to bargain if you go for cheap flights or a cheap travel package. Air travel is not so cheap that is why every one look for cheap flights or try to bargain on the cost. Which can also helpful for you for travel cost saving.

villas majorca pollensa | villas pals

 

[cuzzinolaf]

I use Kayak

 

[dcsnomo]

Remember, Travelocity, Orbitz, and the rest are travel agents. They get paid on a commission just like a travel agent in a store front office.

You will go nuts if you continue shopping all the sites. Check the airline sites, and download whatever SW wants to put on your pc. Then check the trip sites.

Here's what I know
Delta site $520
Orbitz $520
SW $320
AirTran is $252 (Whoops just went to $303)

So, AirTran charges baggage fees, SW does not. Overall, is $320 roundtrip including bags to PHX a good price? Your call..

 

[motor_slut]

I use Kayak

x2 www.kayak.com

 

[chords]

I agree, trying to check them all is tough. I ended up on SWest.com as it seemed the easiest. I found what I thought was a good price on SWest and then the next day the price shot up. So I went to Priceline and found the same Flights at the original SW lower price. Side by side seats for 2 were getting harder to find so I picked out specific seats and " Booked 'Em " $350 per person - non stop - round trip - on Delta with good departure/arrival times.

I understand I can print off boarding passes at home 24 hrs prior ? or from an airport kiosak ?

 

[dcsnomo]

I agree, trying to check them all is tough. I ended up on SWest.com as it seemed the easiest. I found what I thought was a good price on SWest and then the next day the price shot up. So I went to Priceline and found the same Flights at the original SW lower price. Side by side seats for 2 were getting harder to find so I picked out specific seats and " Booked 'Em " $350 per person - non stop - round trip - on Delta with good departure/arrival times.

I understand I can print off boarding passes at home 24 hrs prior ? or from an airport kiosak ?

You done good! Print the passes at home, make copies if you can.