BidonTravel Travel Updates, Tips, & Commentary

Regular Southwest travelers have this revised procedure down pat, but if you haven't flown with Southwest for awhile, this advice is for you:

If you're traveling on Southwest, definately check in online as close to 24 hours prior to departure as you can. This is your best chance to get a good seat—not a specific seat assignment, but instead the priority to board early to select a good seat. Also, for excellent priority, check in online on Southwest even if you can't access a printer. You can then print out your priority boarding pass at the airport.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 01:46 PM | Permalink

You’d think that with all the news of airport delays and canceled flights that travelers would be more cautious when they make airline connections to cruises, but sadly that is often not the case.

You still find passengers missing their cruise departures because their flights are delayed or canceled.

This creates two very significant problems.

First, there is the matter of the last-minute airfare to reach the ship’s first port of call. That will be high.

Second, when is that first port of call? Often it’s on the third day because cruise ships tend to have a full day at sea on the second day. That means a delayed passenger will miss one evening and then one full day and another evening of her or his cruise.

Especially for winter travel and even more so if you depart from or connect through a city that has a harsh winter climate, spend a night in a hotel at your departure port prior to your cruise. Think of this extra expense as an insurance policy, as you enjoy the sun by the hotel’s pool.

We urge the hotel overnight even for summer travel, but if that is not possible, then at least allow lots of extra time to reach your ship from the airport.

Cruise companies may delay a departure for a large group they’ve booked from a major airport, but they are far less likely to delay a departure for just a few people.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 11:52 AM | Permalink

Priceline "Name your own price" bids for airfares are working well now, especially for last-minute trips and discounts on less competitive routes where regular fares tend to be high.

Even with the economic slowdown, the airfare bid acceptance rate is a bit surprising considering the continued reduction in the number of domestic flights.

As nearly always, hotel and car rental bids are working exceptionally well.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 04:00 PM | Permalink

Got to watch Nebraska versus No. 1 USC on Tom Osborne Field in Lincoln last Saturday. What an awesome experience in that exciting and historic venue.

There were lessons to be learned by everyone. You stay number 1 by hard work and focus. You become number 1 by hard work, focus—and patience.

SC fans had an important travel lesson too: That using alternative airports can sometimes save you money--big money.

Last-minute travelers who unthinkably flew into Lincoln Airport from Los Angeles probably paid 2 or 3 times or more than what those who used Omaha Airport paid. Yet, Omaha is less than 60 miles away.

Why? Omaha has more airline competition. Importantly, it has budget airline competition, with service by Southwest and Frontier. This brings the prices of all airlines down.

Look for these situations when you travel.

For example, everyone has heard of London Heathrow and Gatwick.

But, have you heard of London’s Luton and Stansted airports? These usually have the cheapest fares, especially to points in Europe.

There are dozens of metro areas in the U.S. with similar situations.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 12:09 AM | Permalink

Priceline has extended its airfare sale through Labor Day.

That means special discounts on its "Name your own price" tickets, as well as no booking fees for travelers who prefer to choose their airlines and departure times.

With flights so full this summer, airfare bargains have been hard to find.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 07:41 PM | Permalink

Priceline eliminated all booking fees for all domestic and international airline tickets booked and purchased by July 4th, except for its "Name your own price" tickets. You can travel up to 330 days from the date of purchase.

That means that, for the duration of the summer sale, priceline.com customers will pay less for their airline tickets than they would at any other major online travel reservation service, including Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, and Cheap Tickets.

Travelers choosing priceline.com for their airline tickets will enjoy other significant benefits besides no booking fees.

In addition to round-trips on the same airline, priceline.com allows customers to "mix-and-match" their flights, choosing one airline and itinerary for the outbound leg of their trip and another for the return.

Combining airlines can improve itineraries and savings, which is why approximately 20% of priceline.com's retail tickets now sold include two carriers. Even smaller so-called "screen-scrapers" such as Kayak and Sidestep only offer this feature with a booking fee attached.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 09:04 PM | Permalink

JetBlue is doing it again!

Launching new routes from Long Beach (Los Angeles) to Chicago O'Hare and from New York/Kennedy to Chicago/O'Hare, JetBlue is offering $36 fares each way, with no roundtrip purchase required. Service starts January 4th.

Although this fare has to be purchased TODAY, October 27th, other low fares will be available during the weeks leading up to this new service. The $36 fare does not include taxes and security fees.

Purchase at JetBlue.com. (Opens in new window.)

Posted by Don Nadeau at 02:50 AM | Permalink

British counter terrorism and police forces have allegedly foiled a plot to bring down 20 aircraft flying between the UK and U.S. points. At this time, all plotters may not have been arrested.

Travelers between the UK and the U.S. face major disruptions. You can expect extra security at airports in both countries. Both British and U.S. authorities have banned liquids from being carried on flights. In addition, British authorities have banned nearly all other carry on items, including all electronics.

"Critical" is the highest terror warning in the United Kingdom. In addition, U.S. Homeland Security has raised the terror threat to incoming flights from the United Kingdom to "Red," the highest level. A number of European airlines have already cancelled all their flights into the UK.

For up-to-date information, we urge you to check the Sky News website and your airline.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 02:55 AM | Permalink

We may become so focused on saving money on airfares that we overlook booking prudent flight connections that help us have smooth and pleasant trips.

I've posted several tips for booking connecting flights that should be helpful even for Hotwire and Priceline "Name your own price" customers, who usually don't get to choose their connecting times for the lowest fares.

Check out the link above.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 03:21 PM | Permalink

Coming off his first two quarterly loses, JetBlue CEO David Neeleman plans cutting capacity on some routes in a move to increase the average fare. This has been happening throughout the industry in the United States.

Until now, Jetblue has been packing them in with many flights more than 90% full. During the first three months of 2006, the average one-way fare was just $105.

JetBlue will remain a budget airline, but it becomes more important to book early, if you expect the lowest fares.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 06:09 AM | Permalink

With a new plane in its fleet every 10 days during 2006, JetBlue's the airline to watch for introductory specials on new routes.

Check out Long Beach to Sacramento starting on May 3rd, Burbank to Orlando on June 30th, and Burbank to Las Vegas also on June 30th. Burbank airport is convenient to downtown Los Angeles, Universal City, Hollywood, and Pasadena.

We love this airline!

Posted by Don Nadeau at 04:32 PM | Permalink

If you’re a regular reader, you know that BidonTravel strongly emphasizes checking for values before deciding where to go.

You might call this “imitating the French”—checking out the quality and price of the food in the market before deciding what to eat, instead of arriving at the store with a list of items to buy, as do so many Americans.

When thinking of traveling, watch for new routes. You know these airlines are going to promote and that means introductory low prices for you.

This year, you’ll find no better airline to check than JetBlue, which is adding a new plane to its fleet every 10 days.

Check out these new nonstop services on JetBlue. Introductory fares start at $54 each way, or perhaps less, if other airlines match.

Boston to Phoenix starts May 3rd
Boston to Richmond, VA April 6th
New York/JFK to Bermuda starts on May 4th.
New York/JFK to Portland, ME May 23rd.
New York/LaGuardia to Orlando May 3rd
New York/JFK to Richmond, VA March 31st
Orlando to Aquadilla May 3rd
Orlando to San Juan May 3rd
Washington/Dulles to Las Vegas May 3rd

Also, keep an eye on Southwest for continued aggressive expansion from Denver and elsewhere, and watch for traditional airlines like American and United to expand their international routes, where they face much less competition from budget carriers. Be the first to book and enjoy a bargain.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Subject to U.S. government approval, expect Virgin Nigeria to start nonstop service between Lagos, Nigeria, and either JFK or Newark airport as early as May 2006.

Britain's Virgin Atlantic Airways holds a 49% stake in Virgin Nigeria.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 04:05 PM | Permalink

Virgin America, related to well-loved Virgin Atlantic, has garnered the financing needed to start service between U.S. cities in 2006. At this point, no routes have been announced.

Expect this new airline to keep fares low.

Because U.S. aviation rules prohibit predominately foreign-owed carriers from carrying passengers whose trips are solely between U.S. points, Virgin Atlantic CEO Richard Branson plans to hold a minority stake in the new airline.

With Branson involved, however, expect excitement. As you may remember, the first in-flight film on Virgin Atlantic was Airplane. Also expect outstanding service.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 05:47 AM | Permalink

The battle between American and Southwest airlines for Dallas is heating up, and that means lower fares for you.

Southwest received permission to serve Kansas City and St. Louis from Love Field, with service starting December 13th. This brings heavy competition between Dallas and Missouri for the first time in years.

Living up to its threat to add flights to Love Field if Southwest expands operations there, American Airlines said it would also start service between Love and Missouri.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 02:14 PM | Permalink

Taking "AAdvantage" of the range of its 777 fleet, American Airlines has launched non-stop service between Chicago and New Delhi. This is a tribute to India's increasing importance as an economic power and to the large population of Indian descent, which has settled in the Chicago area.

Eastbound, you reach Delhi in 14 hours and 25 minutes; westbound takes nearly 16 hours.

This route joins an increasing trend toward extremely long flights that save you time. However, be sure to drink pretty of water and to get as much exercise as possible during these flights, in order to feel as good as possible upon arrival.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 04:40 PM | Permalink

JetBlue starts service between Boston and Washington/Dulles on January 17th with an introductory one-way fare of $25, plus tax.

Glab this while you can! JetBlue.com (opens in new window)

Regular one-way fares on this route are expected to range between $55 - 140, plus tax.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 10:15 AM | Permalink

Today, Southwest Airlines released its initial schedule from Denver International Airport, with flights starting January 3, 2006. Tickets also went on sale today.

Initially, Southwest will serve Chicago/Midway, Las Vegas, and Phoenix with nonstop flights from Denver’s C Concourse, as well as other cities in its system with either direct (no change of plane) or connecting service. One-way fares start as low as $59 plus tax.

“These [nonstop] destinations are just the beginning for Southwest in Denver,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest’s CEO. To help ensure smooth operations, Southwest tends to ramp up service in increments.

Traditionally, other airlines match Southwest’s fares, which makes the airports Southwest serves the best values in the country.

Priceline does not use Southwest Airlines, but priceline customers using Denver airport will benefit immensely from this new competition.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 07:14 PM | Permalink

As you might expect with fuel costs up significantly this year, retail ticket prices are also significantly higher for the upcoming holiday period.

Priceline.com reports that average retail ticket prices for Thanksgiving are running about 12 - 15 percent more than last year and 15 - 25 percent higher for Christmas period tickets. (On the bright side, these increases run less than the increases in fuel prices.)

We suspect these increases also apply to priceline's "name your own price" airfares, where you bid for your fare.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 06:42 AM | Permalink

Priceline reports the following holiday travel day combinations are producing the lowest fares:

For Thanksgiving:
• Depart November 19, 21 or 22, and return November 25
• Depart November 21, and return November 26 or 27

For Christmas:
• Depart December 19, and return December 27 or 28.
• Depart December 20, and return December 28.
• Depart December 21, and return December 27 or 29.

For Thanksgiving, as is usual, Tuesday, November 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd are the heaviest travel days of the holiday, with more than 55 percent of all customers choosing to fly on those days.

For Christmas, December 21, 22, 23, 27 and 28 are currently the heaviest air travel days.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 06:31 AM | Permalink

While its routes and fares have not yet been announced, expect fares to drop substantially and the number of travelers at Denver International Airport to increase significantly, when Southwest Airlines service starts in early 2006.

Since the 1980's, Denver has been one of the few large cities in the western U.S. not served by Southwest.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 04:39 PM | Permalink

JetBlue's flights from Boston to New York/JFK start November 8th.

This service will use smaller regional jets, but you'll still get television plus something new--more than 100 channels of SM Satellite Radio!

JetBlue also plans to launch service from Boston to Austin, Nassau, and West Palm Beach within the next few months.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 04:12 PM | Permalink

Airlines—especially the older large ones like American—are currently canceling many flights due to high fuel costs.

Reconfirm your flight times two or three days prior to traveling, just in case you your airline has not been able to reach you about a change.

It’s far better to handle this type of situation now, instead of waiting until you are at the airport, when your options may be very limited.

If your airline has voluntarily transferred you (e.g., due to high fuel costs) to significantly less convenient flights, Department of Transportation regulations say you may be owed a refund even if you have a nonrefundable ticket.

We also urge you to reconfirm flights on the day of travel prior to going to the airport. You can easily do this via a link from most airline homepages. (For a list of websites, see BidonTravel's airline phonelist.)

Posted by Don Nadeau at 01:02 PM | Permalink

Apparently strapped by a bitter strike by its mechanics and maintenance workers, as well as charges (not proven) that it has become unsafe, bankrupt Northwest Airlines has been undercutting fares of other airlines on some routes, even during the peak Thanksgiving period.

These cut-rate fares are showing up on Travelocity.com Flights.

So far, we haven’t seen other airlines match these fares, as they’re apparently hoping that public uneasiness with Northwest will divert traffic.

Because priceline.com has not been ticketing on Northwest, it is possible that some Northwest fares may be cheaper than your priceline bid on some routes.

The choice of whether or not to use Northwest is yours.

Posted by Don Nadeau at 01:36 PM | Permalink