Cheap Tickets

DZHBrown · #1 08-05-2003, 11:20 AM

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get cheap plane tickets other than places like orbitz.com, cheaptickets.com, etc.?

chicagoagd · #2 08-05-2003, 11:45 AM

Try these two:

Expedia
Travelocity

CrimsonTide4 · #3 08-05-2003, 11:50 AM

depending on your departure and arrival cities, www.airtran.com is a great affordable airline.

AlphaSigOU · #4 08-05-2003, 11:53 AM

Ticket prices are really dependent on how far in advance you purchase -- at least 3 weeks in advance for the cheapest, non-refundable coach fare. In most cases, if you can't make the trip, you can use the funds from the unused trip to pay for the later trip, and pay the difference, if any. For most airlines, a change in itinerary on cheap fares can cost as much as $100.

Cheapest tickets are on the low-fare carriers such as Southwest, AirTran or JetBlue. Southwest flies out of Nashville (and it appears to be a major connecting point for them, even though they technically are a point-to-point airline - Southwest and JetBlue do not have a traditional 'hub and spoke' route system like the other majors.)

You could try Priceline.com or Hotwire.com, but it's a total crapshoot since you bid on what you want to pay for a ticket and hafta put down your payment information before you find out if the airline will honor that price.

Depending on where you are going, the major airlines have fare sales to certain destinations, especially if they have heavy competition.

AlphaSigOU · #5 08-05-2003, 12:00 PM

Here's my usual Tuesday fare sale e-mail I get from Southwest:

================================================== ===============
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES' CLICK 'N SAVE E-MAIL UPDATE - AUGUST 5, 2003
================================================== ===============

southwest.com NEWS ON THE FLY:

1. southwest.com(R) Systemwide Internet Specials:
Travel between select markets for $39 to $99 one-way with
14-day advance purchase.
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares...ml?src=e080503

2. This week's Featured Destination: San Antonio, TX.
Air Fare Specials from $34 to $94 one-way with 21-day
advance purchase, plus great deals on rental cars and hotels.
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares3.shtml?src=e080503

3. The Midwest for Less only on southwest.com!
Travel between select Midwest cities for $39 one-way with
14-day advance purchase.
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares...ml?src=e080503

4. Record Summer Lows to Florida only on southwest.com!
Travel between Florida and select cities for $39 to $79
one-way with 14-day advance purchase.
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares...ml?src=e080503

5. Texas-sized Specials, Oklahoma Sooner-Than-Later Savings, and
Big Little Rock Deals only on southwest.com!
Travel between select cities for $34 or $60 one-way with
14-day advance purchase.
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares...ml?src=e080503

6. Sign up for EarthLink and take advantage of a limited-time
offer of 8 Rapid Rewards credits!
http://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewar...ml?src=e080503

7. Security Checkpoint Requirements.

8. Subscriber Information.

We are currently accepting reservations for travel through
January 16, 2004.

================================================== ===============
1. southwest.com SYSTEMWIDE INTERNET SPECIALS
================================================== ===============
Fly anywhere Southwest Airlines flies*, Tuesday, Wednesday, or
Saturday for $39 to $99 one-way with a 14-day advance purchase!

Looking for our list of weekly Internet Specials?
This week's Internet Specials are available Systemwide on
published, scheduled service. In fact, there are so many specials,
we couldn't list them all in one e-mail! Visit Reservations on
http://www.southwest.com to find Internet Specials to your
destination.

*Available only on southwest.com.
*14-day advance purchase required.
*Fares shown are one-way and do not include federal
excise tax of $3.00 for each flight segment.
(a segment is defined as a takeoff and landing)
*Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility
charges (PFC) of up to $9.00.
*Purchase through August 28, 2003, midnight Pacific Time.
*Travel August 19, 2003 through January 16, 2004.
*$39 to $99 one-way for travel Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
*$44 to $139 one-way for travel on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and
Sunday.
*Available on published, scheduled service.
*Orange County, CA is not included in this sale.

For more details, please visit:
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares...ml?src=e080503

================================================== ===============
2. FEATURED DESTINATION - SAN ANTONIO, TX
================================================== ===============
Sponsored by the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Air Fare Specials from $34 to $94 one-way with 21-day advance
purchase, plus great deals on rental cars and hotels!

Air Fare Specials:
*21-day advance purchase required.
*Fares shown are one-way and do not include federal excise tax
of $3.00 for each flight segment. A flight segment is defined
as a takeoff and a landing.
*Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges
(PFC) of up to $9.00.
*Purchase through August 7, 2003, midnight Pacific Time.
*Travel August 26, 2003, through January 16, 2004.
*Available on published, scheduled service.

For more information, including a complete list of air fare
specials to/from San Antonio, TX please visit:
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares3.shtml?src=e080503

================================================== ===============
3. THE MIDWEST FOR LESS ONLY ON SOUTHWEST.COM
================================================== ===============
Travel between select Midwest cities for $39 one-way with 14-day
advance purchase.

*Available only on southwest.com.
*14-day advance purchase required.
*Travel August 19, 2003 through end of schedule.
*Purchase through August 28, 2003, midnight Pacific Time.
*Internet Specials are available one-way or can be combined with
other fare types.
*Fares shown are one-way and do not include federal excise tax
of up to $3.00 for each flight segment. A flight segment is
defined as a takeoff and landing.
*Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility
charges (PFC) of up to $9.00.
*Most restrictive rules of combined fares will apply.
*Available on published, scheduled service.

For more information, including a complete list of air fare
specials to/from all the qualified destinations, please visit:
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares...ml?src=e080503

================================================== ===============
4. RECORD SUMMER LOWS TO FLORIDA ONLY ON SOUTHWEST.COM
================================================== ===============
Travel between Florida and select cities for $39 to $79 one-way
with 14-day advance purchase.

*Available only on southwest.com.
*14-day advance purchase required.
*Travel August 19 through September 28, 2003.
*Purchase through August 28, 2003, midnight Pacific Time.
*Internet Specials are available one-way or can be combined
with other fare types.
*Fares shown are one-way and do not include federal excise tax
of up to $3.00 for each flight segment. A flight segment is
defined as a takeoff and a landing.
*Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility
charges (PFC) of up to $9.00.
*Available on published, scheduled service.
*Houston Intercontinental, TX and Orange County, CA are not
included in this sale.

For more information, including a complete list of air fare
specials to/from all the qualified destinations, please visit:
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares...ml?src=e080503

================================================== ===============
5. TEXAS-SIZED SPECIALS, OKLAHOMA SOONER-THAN-LATER, AND
BIG LITTLE ROCK DEALS ONLY ON SOUTHWEST.COM
================================================== ===============
Travel between select cities for $34 or $60 one-way with 14-day
advance purchase.

*Available only on southwest.com.
*14-day advance purchase required.
*Travel August 19 through September 28, 2003.
*Purchase through August 28, 2003 midnight Pacific Time.
*Internet Specials are available one-way or can be combined with
other fare types.
*Fares shown are one-way and do not include federal excise tax
of up to $3.00 for each flight segment. A flight segment is
defined as a takeoff and a landing.
*Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges
(PFC) of up to $9.00.
*Available on published, scheduled service.

For more information, including a complete list of air fare
specials to/from all the qualified destinations, please visit:
http://www.southwest.com/jp/hotfares...ml?src=e080503

================================================== ===============
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
================================================== ===============
Additional information you need to know about all of our
air fare specials:

*Fares are nonrefundable, but (except for tickets
purchased through our Group Tickets Program)
may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines.
*Ticketless Travel may be purchased online using either
a credit card or by utilizing funds from a previously
unused or cancelled Ticketless Travel reservation(s).
Funds from up to four cancelled or unused Ticketless Travel
reservation records can be combined to purchase a new
Ticketless Travel reservation record. Southwest Airlines
travel credit (travel vouchers, gift certificates,
and discount coupons) may not be used as forms of payment
for Ticketless Travel Online.
*Unused funds may be applied toward future travel on
Southwest Airlines within one year of the original purchase date.
*Seats are limited and won't be available on some flights that
operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods.
*Standby travel requires an upgrade to the full unrestricted fare.

================================================== ===============
6. EARTHLINK
================================================== ===============
Sign up for EarthLink's reliable dial-up or blazing fast high
speed Internet, and take advantage of a limited-time offer
of 8 Rapid Rewards credits!

For more information, please visit:
http://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewar...ml?src=e080503

================================================== ===============
7. SECURITY CHECKPOINT REQUIREMENTS
================================================== ===============
To proceed through the security checkpoint, you will need your
government-issued photo ID* and either a Boarding Pass or
Security Document. Boarding Passes are available at the skycap
podium, ticket counter, or RAPID CHECK-IN kiosks.

Customers checking luggage will be issued a Boarding Pass at the
time luggage is checked.

Customers not checking luggage may Retrieve/Print their
Security Document beginning 6:00 AM one day prior to their flight.
To Retrieve/Print your Security Document and for important
information needed prior to traveling, visit the Travel Center at:
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center?src=e080503

*Customers under 18 years of age are not required to show
government-issued photo ID.

================================================== ===============
8. SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION
================================================== ===============
Please pass this great news on to your friends.
To subscribe to Southwest Airlines Click 'n Save E-mail Updates,
please visit:
http://www.southwest.com/email/email...ml?src=e080503
================================================== ===============

AchtungBaby80 · #6 08-05-2003, 12:59 PM

It's possible to get very cheap airline tickets--I'm talking $400 for a flight to Europe in the middle of summer--at www.skyauction.com. However, and this is a big issue for me, you have to bid on your tickets which means you have to watch the website like a hawk. Most of airlines on there are lesser-known ones like Air India, etc., but if you're really serious about saving bucks, I'd try it out.

chicagoagd · #7 08-05-2003, 01:04 PM

Be very careful though, if you miss your flight, you will pay through the nose to buy a one way flight out. A friend of mine got stuck in traffic in Toronto on her way to the airport, missed her flight, the airline said she'd have to pay $700 to get back, she ended up being on a bus for 24 hours.

ZTAMich · #8 08-05-2003, 04:42 PM

I'm on a flight Thursday from NYC (LGA) to DC to Orlando one way for under $100 on United. I found it through Orbitz. Only got it about a week before the flight. For the last 4 years I've been flying a lot and found it's all hit or miss what you can find with airlines.

Super Shuttle to the airport....now THAT is a different story!

GeekyPenguin · #9 08-05-2003, 05:17 PM

Student Universe

If you're a student or faculty member (you have to have a @School.edu email address) you can get some great fares on here - thanks GPhiBLtColonel for finding it for me!

Munchkin03 · #10 08-05-2003, 05:47 PM

Sometimes it's a good idea just to call the airline (CALL, not go on their website). A week or so before the flight, they are so willing to have a full flight (the only way they can really break even) that they will sell it at the lowest possible price in order to do that.

I have a lot of experience with flying and getting reasonable tickets--between living about 2,000 miles from my school, being in a long-distance relationship, and studying abroad, I've had my share of good and bad cheap fare hunts.

ZetaMelOU · #11 08-05-2003, 09:23 PM

I flew airtran the other day and they were pretty good. Southwest airlines also offers some great promotional fares. Go to www.southwest.com. I also installed a program that has helped me find good fares called Side Step which works in the same way Kazaa does to find music. Another place that's good is Student Universe which offers some great roundtrip fares.

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
depending on your departure and arrival cities, www.airtran.com is a great affordable airline.

tnxbutterfly · #12 08-05-2003, 11:03 PM

I am in the process of looking for a cheap plane ticket for my convention in Sept. I want to fly Southwest, being that I am in Dallas and all, but stupid Southwest doesn't fly from Dallas to Orlando

AlphaSigOU · #13 08-05-2003, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tnxbutterfly
I am in the process of looking for a cheap plane ticket for my convention in Sept. I want to fly Southwest, being that I am in Dallas and all, but stupid Southwest doesn't fly from Dallas to Orlando

There is a way of getting around the stupid Wright/Shelby Amendment (enacted by former Speaker of the House Jim Wright in order to protect DFW airport). Basically, the Wright Amendment prohibits airlines with aircraft having more than 58 seats from flying from Dallas Love Field to any state outside Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

You will have to do the 'Southwest Shuffle' by purchasing a ticket from Dallas Love to Houston or San Antonio; these cities do not have the Wright Amendment restrictions. You will also need to buy a ticket from Houston or San Antonio to your final destination. Allow yourself at least 1-2 hours between the two connections, because you will need to claim your bags in Houston and recheck them for the flight to Orlando. Pain in the ass, but it's doable.

Best thing about it is if you book online and you are a Rapid Rewards member, you get double credit for each round trip, you need 16 to get a free ticket anywhere Southwest flies. (Free tickets on the other hand, are not affected by the Wright Amendment.) So for both round trips, you get 8 credits, halfway to a free ticket!

Munchkin03 · #14 08-05-2003, 11:56 PM

There are flights from Austin to Orlando on SW. I guess that's an option if you can fly from Dallas to Austin, and then onto Orlando.

ZetaMelOU · #15 08-06-2003, 01:14 AM

Hey!

I'm from Fort Worth so I feel your pain at times with that silly amendment. Try AirTran...they're pretty cheap and they go from Dallas (DFW) to Orlando with a connection in Atlanta. It's possible that they might have a direct flight now. Also, taking Southwest to either Houston or Oklahoma City can get you to Orlando. My ex is from Orlando and he was able to get a direct flight from OKC to Orlando on SWA.