Showing posts in category Airfares
By Don Nadeau, on November 1, 2008, in Airfares
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.
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By Don Nadeau, on October 29, 2008, in Airfares
You’d think that with all the news of airport delays, canceled flights, and winter "storms of the century" 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.
I 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. Do not assume that you will arrive during the minimum connecting times suggested by cruise lines.
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. Or, for a departure that you've booked yourself.
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By Don Nadeau, on October 24, 2008, in Airfares
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.
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By Don Nadeau, on September 20, 2007, in Airfares
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.
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By Don Nadeau, on August 9, 2007, in Airfares
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.
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By Don Nadeau, on June 19, 2007, in Airfares
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.
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By Don Nadeau, on October 27, 2006, in Airfares
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.)
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By Don Nadeau, on August 10, 2006, in Airfares
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.
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By Don Nadeau, on July 3, 2006, in Airfares
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.
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By Don Nadeau, on April 28, 2006, in Airfares
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.
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