cheap flights

[randy41]

i'm thinking of visiting my son in Oakland next month. i live in VA south of Roanoke.
i don't travel much (1999 is the last time i went anywhere by air).
how do i find cheap airfares? is it cheaper to book one way or round trip? i will be going there for just a couple of nights or so since i have a farm to run.

 

[Sigarms]

Go to travel websites like kayak.com or expedia, type in where you want to leave from, to where, and what dates. You can book everything online.

I did a quick search for next month on Kayak, looks like round trip from Roanoke to Oakland is in the $1,000 range. You can save $200 by driving to Greensboro, but the 2 hr drive and extended parking fee may not make it worth while.

If you have diffiuclty navigating the travel sites via computer, don't hesitate to ask your son if he's more computer savvy. I've booked my father on flights more than a couple of times when he calls asking me (he's pushing 85 and HATES computers lol)

Becuase I'm only a max 1.5 hour drive from Raleigh/Durham, Charlotte or Greensboro, I'll check all 3 airports where I'm departing from so see if something cheaper makes it worth the hassle of driving to one airport over the other.

Not sure what airport you could check from other than Roanoke?

I double checked expedia…

Expedia | Flights From ROA to OAK

Looks like if you can push it back to July, round trip for under $700 (scratch that, that's for a months stay LOL)

Generally, the more time you have to leave, the better rates you can find. Next month is coming up rather quick. Hindsight is perfect science, but if you wanted to leave in June, you might of wanted to start looking in Feb or March.

I do think if you push the flight back to July, you will save more due to the time frame.

 

[3930dave]

We don't fly much anymore either, but my wife uses TripAdvisor a lot for checking out cost and reviews on hotels and motels - it's been very useful for that.

You can search for flight info on Trip Advisor, and they also appear to have Ratings for the airlines themselves. Unfortunately, since '99 the airline "experience" has deteriorated, so it's probably worth doing the research to avoid the problem airlines today - there are worse things that can happen while travelling than paying a few dollars more, IMO..... (and, I'm on a tight budget).

I believe Reviews of Hotels, Flights and Vacation Rentals - TripAdvisor should work for you. (If I type that in at my end, it bounces me over to the tripadvisor.ca site).

Good luck, Rgds, D

 

[brin]

My wife and I just returned from a trip to Old San Juan , Puerto Rico....We flew Delta and booked it through Expedia...about $700 Round trip coach for the two of us....WE had not flown since the mid 1990's , I could not get over the process to even get on the plane...the security lines...We were prepared and had read all the regs so we had no problem but the crowds and shoes coming off etc...I was singled out to be scanned... The seats are really small now compared to what they used to be...I had a tall , 6'6" young guy in his 20's sitting in front of me and he slept the whole way with his head way back over the back of his seat so the back of his head was about 8 inches from my face most of the flight...I will try to never have to fly again....and back in the day I flew weekly for years....way different now...I found out even if you bring a carry on there is no assurance you won't have to check it...they board you by zones in coach so if you are toward the end of any zone they may make you check your carry on so be sure not to leave any meds or valuables in your carry on...Good Luck

 

[randy41]

i am a bit apprehensive about flying but it couldn't be any worse than the megabus. I live but 2 hours from Charlotte (Roanoke is 1 1/4 hours) and i found that its cheapest to fly from Charlotte to San Francisco. I guess they don't have stand by anymore and they don't pick up hitchhikers.

 

[aczlan]

Its generally cheaper to fly midweek, looks like a couple of options leaving in mid June are around $660-770 (I used KAYAK Search Results and set the "nights at destination" to 2-5)

Aaron Z

 

[randy41]

that kayak site is good. if you change it to charlotte and san francisco it gets into the $500-600 range.

 

[Sigarms]

i am a bit apprehensive about flying but it couldn't be any worse than the megabus. I live but 2 hours from Charlotte (Roanoke is 1 1/4 hours) and i found that its cheapest to fly from Charlotte to San Francisco. I guess they don't have stand by anymore and they don't pick up hitchhikers.

You flying one of those F15's out of Seymour down 220?. I was up in Roanoke last week from Greensboro and it took me 80 minutes on 220.

 

[randy41]

You flying one of those F15's out of Seymour down 220?. I was up in Roanoke last week from Greensboro and it took me 80 minutes on 220.

cept i don't live in roanoke but more than an hour south of it. 20 minutes to Hillsville and jump on 77. from here it takes about the same amount of time to get to greensboro as it does to charlotte.

 

[Sigarms]

cept i don't live in roanoke but more than an hour south of it. 20 minutes to Hillsville and jump on 77. from here it takes about the same amount of time to get to greensboro as it does to charlotte.

Sorry, makes sense now.

I have a office in Charlotte and Greensboro. The only problem with 77 is it's russian roulette with traffic depending on time of day (morning or afternoon), right around exit 23, Huntersville.

If it's no more than $150 out of Greensboro compared to Charlotte, I'd take that (Greensboro) airport anytime of the day over Charlotte, for both getting in and out speed wise. Only nice time getting out of the Charlotte airport IMO (coming home) is if you have a late flight in and you're on 77 north late evening. Have a flight in the morning out of Charlotte and you're on 77, you better give yourself PLENTY of time depending on traffic.

I was just out in Oklahoma from Greensboro. By the time I parked the car (at the airport) to the time I made the gate was no more than 35 minutes, and that was a 0900 flight.

 

[randy41]

i've picked up both of my sons at different times at that greensboro airport. easy to park and no traffic. i guess there's no real bargain fares. was worth a try to ask. now i just have to see how my farm sitter is going to work out. thanks for everyone's help.

 

[Sigarms]

Roundtrip around $780 straight to Oakland from Greensboro if you can wait till July. To San Francisco from Greensboro at $580 in July as well.

As mentioned, generally if you want the better deals, you have to plan out further than a month when you're looking.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Do not forget Southwest they will not show up on Kayak. Below are the dates for the month of June, picking the lower fares dates can safe you $$$. I fly a lot for work about 1week per month and I like Southwest 2 bags are free. Do not forget to look at baggage fees they can add another$100 to the total cost.

Southwest Airlines - Select Travel Day(s)

 

[RSKY]

There are several small airlines that will not show up on Kayak or other travel booking sites. Five of us flew from Louisville to Orlando right after Christmas. I would have saved $500 on tickets plus a shorter drive if I had flown Allegent Air from Evansville instead. I didn't know this until after we got home.

Check all airports you might fly from and look at the smaller airlines schedules.

 

[dmccarty]

We just took a trip out west and had to go by plane. Gawd but I hate to fly.... It is bad enough with the airlines nickle and diming and the cattle car seating but the Security Theater just adds to the PITA of the whole situation.

The wifey and I have only flown four times since the late 90's and only twice since September 11th. Just a PITA. Thankfully, it is cheaper and faster to drive for most of our trips.

Three of our four flights were overbooked by at least six seats and the airline was asking for volunteers to get off the flight. Thankfully, we did not have to sit next to someone on this series of flights that was large and/or smelled. BTDT. :shocked:

When comparing prices, try to compare the total cost of the flight. There were some no so obvious charges in the end that added to the cost of the tickets. I have heard, and you can likely find the answer on the Internet, that there are certain days/times during the work week to order the tickets. Also, check the various ticket sites as well as the airlines for prices. If you are a AAA member, do not forget to check them for ticket prices as well. I can remember when flying was fun...

Good Luck,
Dan

 

[randy41]

these are all great suggestions that are very much appreciated. I remember when i went to college at Northeastern Univ (just 1 year there) i would take the eastern shuttle from logan to laguardia to go home to visit. late 60's.
waiting for my daughter to give birth so I can go there overnight to see my new grandson and have a farm sitter trial run before i take this more extended trip to oakland. she's 5 days past due.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Yes flying sucks, been doing it for 35 years for business, it has gotten so bad since 911, long lines, planes packed,heck not even that terrible airline food anymore you are lucky to get a bag of peanuts. I now use 7 hours as a do I drive or fly, if I can get to where I need to go I prefer to drive. Try to get a direct flight because if you miss the connection you are most likely not going onto the next flight because it will be overbooked. The days of a plane that holds 250 people taking off with 50 on board are long gone! Only one more year till retirement, man I can not wait....

 

[dmccarty]

Yes flying sucks, been doing it for 35 years for business, it has gotten so bad since 911, long lines, planes packed,heck not even that terrible airline food anymore you are lucky to get a bag of peanuts. I now use 7 hours as a do I drive or fly, if I can get to where I need to go I prefer to drive. Try to get a direct flight because if you miss the connection you are most likely not going onto the next flight because it will be overbooked. The days of a plane that holds 250 people taking off with 50 on board are long gone! Only one more year till retirement, man I can not wait....

We were not even offered peanuts. :shocked: Which was fine since I brought my own! :laughing::laughing::laughing:

We were offered drinks both free and otherwise. I just bring an empty drinking bottle and fill it up after security.

On one flight, the plane was delayed and when we got to Chicago, we walked from one gate way down to the other gate. We wanted to go to the bathroom but I was insistent that we get to the gate for the next flight and see what was happening. The wifey was not happy with this but when we got to the gate they were already boarding so I am glad I insisted.

Later,
Dan

 

[mjarrels]

If possible, pick a non-US flagged airline. I like koren and thai airlines... good food and service and nice eye candy for flight attendence.

yellow dot

 

[EddieWalker]

Expedia is a good site to start with. Put in your information on where you want to fly out of and where you want to go along with your travel dates. Once you get that information, play around with the days you can travel. Tuesday is a great day to travel to save money, but you really never know until you try every day of the week on what the best day will be.

Lately I've found that Priceline has better prices then Expedia and more options. Multiple stops will sometimes give you a lower price, but it's up to you how long you want to sit around an airport. Round trip is always going to be cheaper then buying one way flights going in each direction.

The farther out you can buy the ticket, the lower the price. Flying next week or even next month means you are going to pay a premium because most of the seats are already taken.

Eddie