I Need Help on Airline Tickets

**forHISglory** · 01-19-2008, 04:01 PM

We would like to fly to California in June for my niece's wedding. But the ticket prices are scary! We're on a fixed income and I'm not sure we can handle almost $1000 for the round trip flight ( would be two of us from St Louis to Oakland and back).

I've never purchased airline tickets online. If you have, how did you go about it? What sites did you visit? Any advice? Maybe your wisdom and knowledge can offset my ignorance.

Thanks

**CYork** · 01-19-2008, 04:30 PM

Try Kayak.com to see what the lowest fare will be. Be sure to check southwest.com separately if they fly between the two cities since southwest's fares do not show up on Kayak. After I look to see which airline is cheaper, I go to the airline's own web site to book directly with them.

**PrairieRose** · 01-19-2008, 04:37 PM

Another thing if you do decide to fly southwest be sure to sign up for their frequent flyer program. After so many flights you get one free

We always check Expedia before we book anything too.

**Missy** · 01-19-2008, 04:39 PM

www.expedia.com
www.travelocity.com
www.hotwire.com

**frugal-fannie** · 01-19-2008, 04:43 PM

I have used expedia for hotels not sure if I have ever purchased airline tickets. I think Northwest main hub city is St Louis, so I would also check their web site. Southwest, america west are also cheaper options. You could check Sky bus but they might not offer that route.I have purchased quite a few online and you can print your tickets at the airport or have them mailed to you. I almost always buy direct from the airlines, only for free flights from our credit card we have to book thru their travel agent. It should be beautiful that time of year in Oakland.

**leezza** · 01-19-2008, 05:34 PM

Also you may want to check out this:

Where ever you are located go from the largest airport and complete your travel in the largest airport of your destination.

Going from large city airports to small city airports is where the price really gets you.

JMHO,
leezza

**frugal-fannie** · 01-19-2008, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by leezza

Also you may want to check out this:

Where ever you are located go from the largest airport and complete your travel in the largest airport of your destination.

Going from large city airports to small city airports is where the price really gets you.

JMHO,
leezza

Good point, years ago before Columbus, OH had many routes, I would get the cheapest flight going into Cleveland. It was an additional hour of drive time but it sometimes saved me almost $100 as they had a bigger airport and more specials. My friend just flew Virgin and they are having some specials now.

**Mom23boys** · 01-19-2008, 06:16 PM

I usually find all flight prices on http://www.mobissimo.com/search_airfare.php Once I found the flight I am willing to pay for, I go directly to the airline's website and book it straight from them, thus eliminating the middle man. The prices are the same on the airline's website as they are on Mobissino. I just like to use Mobissimo to compare all airline prices at once. They find the lowest fares and post them on the site.

**HappyMama** · 01-19-2008, 07:47 PM

If you could book at ticket with skybus for 10.00 to 35.00 you can fly from Columbus Ohio to San Fransisco. I know you would have to drive to Columbus, get someone to pick you up in San Fran instead of Oakland but thought I might throw it out there. You can usually put these scenarios on frugal boards...

as a suggestion and not seem to out there...LOL My family has used them a couple of times.

**Jamauk** · 01-19-2008, 09:20 PM

One word about SkyBus - there is no complimentary ANYTHING and you can't bring your own food. You have to pay for beverages, food, pillows, etc....and you can't bring your own.

Ok, I'm going to go against what some of the other posters said and tell you to find a smaller airport you're willing to drive to and try the flights there. Larger airports have larger terminal fees (ie, it costs Delta a heckuva lot more to rent gates/terminals at Atlanta than it does at say Dayton, OH-who do you think pays for the expensive gates?).

My mom lives in the Cincinnati area and she always flies out here from Dayton-for way cheaper.

**wulong32** · 01-19-2008, 10:15 PM

I use cheaptickets.com

**Dave'sGirl** · 01-20-2008, 07:05 AM

We wanted to visit my sister in South Dakota this summer. We went to all the online sites and looked for the prices from the three airports we could drive to in NY thinking we could get cheaper rates, to no avail. I called my sister and told her we couldn't afford $800 apiece so it was a no go. She called the next day and told me to try booking a flight to an airport 6 hrs from her home. They were cheaper...then I thought to go to the actual website of the airline...we are flying out there for $280 apiece!!! Try the airlines website...and also try airports a little out of the way, you might be surprised!!!

**SSGWilkesWife** · 01-20-2008, 09:51 AM

www.southwestairlines.com is offering "wanna get away" prices ranging from $135-$305 each way. If you book now you may be able to get $135 each way for a total of $270 plus fees and such. Check it out. Southwest always has great prices and specials. I have used the online booking but the flights are usually red eye, try going directly to the airline especially online there are tons of web specials.

**forHISglory** · 01-20-2008, 06:09 PM

Thanks for all your replies. I've been manuvering thru your advice and Southwest seems to be the cheapest. Now I've got to figure out all the ins and outs of ordering on-line. I soooooo belong to the no-tech generation!

I thought Skybus was very interesting! It's a great concept, and I hope that it grows to include more cities. If it was available here, that's the one I think I would try.

Thanks again, folks. I am appreciating Frugal Village more every day.