Posted on 07/18/2009 6:46:29 PM PDT by don-o
Yes. I know how to use the internet and am doing so. I also know that FReepers have seemingly unlimited knowledge about just about everything.
My Marine (see tagline) will have ten days leave the second week of September. I'd like to help him find his best buy.
Any tips and suggestions are appreciated.
The marines may cover his flight cost.
don-o
All the major Airlines are out of San Diego International
Airport.
For best fare, check Southwest and JetBlue
ditto’s on Kayak.com to help narrow airlines offering best fair and timing and nearby airports.
I’ve used bookingbuddy.com 3 or 4 times and have had good results.
mark
www.kayak.com
Just learned something interesting about military pricing. See bottom of advice for graduating recruit. Apparently the benefit lets them change plans if orders change.
FWIW, my son is DI on Parris Island.
I always check Expedia.com first, then check Travelocity.com. In addition to those, I also check the relevant airlines that serve the cities I want to visit. Sometimes there are flights at the airlines’ websites that might night show up at the clearinghouse websites.
I'm doubting that, but, I'll mention it next time we talk. And my thanks to your son for his service. Best of the best, the P.I. DI's! They did an amazing work on my Ben.
I stopped using Expedia and other services when I found out that they were charging a number of fees, sometimes hidden. Sure, they may give you a low airfare, but by the time you added in the fees, your ticket may cost you more than what the airline offers.
The cost often is affected by such things as the season, how long between arrival and return, and whether you are willing to stay over a Saturday. A flexible travel schedule may yield a better deal.
Check online with whatever airline serves your area. And as was suggested, contact the airline and ask aboout military discounts. In fact, I’ve had experiences when I’ve obtained an online fare, then telephoned the airline and negotiated a better deal. You could try that. The worst they could do is say no.
One last thing: A non-direct flight may be cheaper than a direct or non-stop. But be sure that the flight stops off at a city in line with where you are going. I once took advantage of a discount fare that required me to travel from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, then to Las Vegas. In other words, I was travelling east before heading west. A major pain in the you know what. I vowed never to do that again.
Where can that advice be found?
And many thanks to all who have helped me out.
sidestep.com
Give you the prices from all the travel sites. Good luck.
www.sidestep.com
Searches all airline sites except Southwest. Does the big 3rd parties too - Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia and the others.
I typically find the cheapest fare there. If you can find the cheapest fare on Orbitz and the price goes down a certain amount you get a refund automatically.
Also www.yapta.com will search and let you follow your flight’s pricing. If the price goes down they will email you and let you know when you can get a refund of the difference in cost.
I’m in the biz so I’ve had much experience w/this.
Sorry Hildy - didn’t see your post before I posted.
No problemo...it’s so good it needed to be posted twice!!! ;)
It was announced on Fox News that Southwest Arilines will be running the best deal ever for this fall as long as you book now...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.