Finding the best prices on plane tickets
#1
Posted 05 May 2004 - 10:07 PM
Plane tickets prices are certainly moving targets. Checking in every day on certain trip ideas, I see a different fare every day. It seems my best approach is to
(1) Decide that I am going, dates, and destination;
(2) Select a price I'm willing to pay - kinda' like a Buy or Sell target on a Stock or Commodity;
(3) And when I see my target price, jump on it!
I've been watching for tickets to Tampa in July for my family of 4. $340, $350, $345, $230 - Bought!
Watching for cheaper prices to Raleigh NC in October: $345, $350, $226 - Bought!
And I'm seeing some offers on my LAX flights for the fall, but wrong airline and wrong time. Watching like a hawk.
At times, I'll find myself committed to a trip and not find my bargain before I get nervous that the price will start going up. Sometimes I give up and buy at a higher price, cutting loses as compared to my target price. Overall, though, it's working.
BTW: Like many travel shoppers, I watch Expedia prices, then go to the company's own site to buy...
Yeah I know: I've been branded a non-group person - doesn't play well with others. I am so upset. Let me know if you want to have some fun, without the drama - I'm good for that.
#2
Posted 05 May 2004 - 10:14 PM
Dr. Bill
#3
Posted 06 May 2004 - 06:04 AM
I understand priceline will now let you see options versus just making you take something you have no idea what it is. But I havent tried that yet.
I find travel agencies to have the worst deals so far.
Rich
Edited by RICHinNC, 06 May 2004 - 06:07 AM.
#4
Posted 06 May 2004 - 09:33 AM
Do you use one that supposedly watches for you and emails you when a good price pops, or just drop in from time to time...??I've used a couple of "best prices" search engines...
Yeah, I've tried others, and Expedia seems to work better than any other I've tried. I like the way it'll show you a comparison of different airline prices. If one major is charging $100 less than my airline, I expect my airline to consider matching the lower price. Sometimes they do, sometimes the cheaper goes back up, but still - a handy place to watch for trends.I will check a few sites....and find that Expedia is usually the best.
Like you fellas', I'll find the best price on Expedia, then go to the airline, car company, hotel, direct to see if I can do better. Very often do; even if it's the same price, I still enjoy benefits of booking direct, I think. This means that Expedia is working for me and not getting paid? I didn't develope the system; I'm just shopping.Once I have a price and airline from there I will CALL the airline and tell them I couldnt make on line res. will they help me and even give me a better price.
I need to try your approach of calling the airline direct for even better prices. I book online for the extra 1,000 FF-miles, but - $20 savinbgs is better.
Yeah I know: I've been branded a non-group person - doesn't play well with others. I am so upset. Let me know if you want to have some fun, without the drama - I'm good for that.
#5
Posted 06 May 2004 - 09:41 AM
Good tactic!! I get Orbitz & Travelzoo weekly & always look them over. (sigh) Someday I'll book that special deal to London.... :lam:I will check a few sites....and find that Expedia is usually the best. Once I have a price and airline from there I will CALL the airline and tell them I couldnt make on line res. will they help me and even give me a better price. By doing Ex first, I have at least a base knowledge what the airlines should offer and I have always saved at least $20 by calling.
I understand priceline will now let you see options versus just making you take something you have no idea what it is. But I havent tried that yet.
I find travel agencies to have the worst deals so far.
Rich
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C. S. Lewis
#6
Posted 06 May 2004 - 10:53 AM
Dr. B.
#7
Posted 06 May 2004 - 11:49 AM
~Jacques Cousteau
#8
Posted 06 May 2004 - 12:04 PM
Diverlady
What do you mean "it doesn't come in PINK"?!?!
#9
Posted 06 May 2004 - 12:59 PM
If you book with Expedia, and the airline's price goes down, I don't think you'll get money back.
Book with the airline, and if the prices goes down, and you call them on it, they'll give you a voucher for the difference.
Yeah I know: I've been branded a non-group person - doesn't play well with others. I am so upset. Let me know if you want to have some fun, without the drama - I'm good for that.
#10
Posted 06 May 2004 - 02:51 PM
They have some great deals, especially if you subscirbe to the weekly e-mail specials. A lot of them are last minute getaways, and often sell out quickly. But if you are fast and flexible, you can save some bucks.
Laura
#11
Posted 06 May 2004 - 03:34 PM
There's the key- I drool over their emails every week!!One of my fave's is www.travelzoo.com
They have some great deals, especially if you subscirbe to the weekly e-mail specials. A lot of them are last minute getaways, and often sell out quickly. But if you are fast and flexible, you can save some bucks.
Laura
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C. S. Lewis
#12
Posted 06 May 2004 - 04:20 PM
So now for my question...after we finish our 2004 and 2005 trip calendar which should be fairly soon...in fact we just set the prices for Roatan and will post that next...would you all like to see a travel service available just for SingleDivers.com??? It can help you to get bulk air on as few as 2 people traveling...group discounts for families and friends...hotel and land package discounts on non-dive travel as well as dive travel.
Let me know if I should explore this as a service to our divers!!! -ww
Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !
Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!
Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906
#13
Posted 06 May 2004 - 04:58 PM
I think that would be great! For as much flying/travelling as I have been doing the past few years, I'd definitely like to take advantage of bulk rates etc..!Well...as everyone knows you can't make money on air anymore due to great resources such as the ones you are all shopping in this thread. However you can still save money when we get bulk air to exotic and tropical places like Bonaire or Roatan from some locations!
So now for my question...after we finish our 2004 and 2005 trip calendar which should be fairly soon...in fact we just set the prices for Roatan and will post that next...would you all like to see a travel service available just for SingleDivers.com??? It can help you to get bulk air on as few as 2 people traveling...group discounts for families and friends...hotel and land package discounts on non-dive travel as well as dive travel.
Let me know if I should explore this as a service to our divers!!! -ww
WG
Edited by WisconsinGal, 06 May 2004 - 04:58 PM.
#14
Posted 06 May 2004 - 05:23 PM
#15
Posted 06 May 2004 - 05:25 PM
Man SD has to get on YOUR travel schedule!!! Did you send me your 2005 travel plans and wish list yet for dive trips? I know we have the b-day thing for you next year but I sure hope we can be some of those trips you take next year!!!It sounds like a good idea to me even though I do a lot of stuff solo. It's tough to find buddies who can take off for 3 or 4 months. Although that was more when I was self-employed. Of course once this economy turns around I'm outta this job and back to being my own boss.
Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !
Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!
Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906
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