Airfare, Priceline.com, etc. What's a fair fare ?

postaldoug · May 31, 2004

I'm looking into booking the travel to RX Bash .

Flying out of Hartford, CT preferably ! I'm coming up with R/T ticket prices of about $250 per. That seems fair enough, but I don't want to pay too much !

There's tons of sites offering travel deals, some don't tell you times until you purchase tickets, I'm not to cool with that, I like a bit more control !

Is it worth spending a lot of time with this ? I know I'm not getting this for $139 R/T !

How much can you really save over the basic internet rate ? I don't want to spend 5 hours, saving $25 , and wind up having to leave at 7 am.

There's Cheap Tickets, priceline, Orbitz, Sidestep, etc... to pick from.

I want to leave , ideally about in time to arrive noonish on Thurs. Aug 12th, and leave in time to arrive anywhere from 1a.m. to 3p.m. on Weds 8/18 in Hartford. I have a commitment on 7p.m. on wednesdays, for awhile.

I ask those that know, how this really works !

Also, has anybody seen a rate quote from G/N for staying past Sat nite ?

Thanks,

Doug

Chris@OlympicSports · May 31, 2004

Try JetBlue from JKF for fare

postaldoug · May 31, 2004

Chris: Getting to JFK, is a problem. I won't drive in NYC. That adds Conn limo charge to it.

Hartford is best, or Tweed New Haven. I won't go to even a Yankees game, unless by bus.I like small airports.

postaldoug · May 31, 2004

Chris: Jetblue has great prices, I'm seeing 156-176-196, but still problems.

How much more is parking , than Hartford, if wife even agrees to drive there ? Otherwise transportation, train ? , bus ( CT limo) etc. It may

be a false savings. The $156 flight had bad times, so the $176 flight is more like it, saving like $150, but costs are hidden. Perhaps my best option is to take that, and get a ride into New haven, pick up CT limo (bus, really), and depend on friends to get me back and forth to New Haven (about 20 miles from me ).

That's kind of what I was looking for, didn't show-up on common sites, which suggests they are somewhat bogus.

Thanks for suggestion !

Doug

Dante · May 31, 2004

Jet blue is a up and coming airline...they have alot of the comforts other bargain airlines do not have like Direct tv for each seat

postaldoug · May 31, 2004

IT still doesn't work ! CT. limo (glorified bus ) would cost about $150. Who knows what they charge for 5 days of parking at JFK.

I can't crunch the numbers right !

I feel like Kramer and Newman on "Seinfeld" trying to figure out how to get the cans to Michigan for 10 cents, instead of 5 cents !

Strong lean to Hartford.

Doug

WildBill · May 31, 2004

You can often sniff out who the Priceline or Hotwire fares will be. Just do an Orbitz search and figure out who are the lowest fare providers. See if they are offering times that won't work for you on those cheapest flights. If they are then go with the sure thing. If not, take a shot with Hotwire first, see what fare comes up. Often it is almost exactly the same as Orbitz. Then move onto Priceline. After their fees and all, bid about 15-20% under the Hotwire price and then cross your fingers. Your chances of getting an itinerary you didn't see in the 10 cheapest fares on Orbitz is very low.

Highdaddy · May 31, 2004

i always used Expedia or Travelocity to search for flights and rooms but would find the tickets cheaper just by going to the airline or hotel website...for me it was Northwest...so find the airline you want and the price at orbitz, expedia or whatever and then check the price at the airlines website.