What's a good site for airfare??

DarrylParsons · Jun 30, 2005

stomie said:
Incorrect Parsons, Southwest will always give you credit, I have done it may times.

I believe you. I know it isn't ALWAYS the case, that's why I said USUALLY. The deeper the discount, the more restricted it's likely to be, but there will always be exceptions of course. Anyway, my point was that there is no BIGGER catch than those, since that's what the original question was concerned about.

wolfie_cr · Jun 30, 2005

After watching a show on A&E called "Airline" .......where the guys of southwest don't let you board if they know you had a few beers......I think I will stick to the usual continental/american/delta ..................

Woody0 · Jun 30, 2005

When are you going? Last minute is generally expensive but I would try to find a New York consolidator and see if they have anything.

Also try phoning Olympic and see what they can offer. They list specials on the website, but it's difficult to navigate.

Woody0 · Jun 30, 2005

JFK to Athens Greece, about $1300 for next month. I'd try to find a consolidator, your friendly Greek travel agent should know one and hope to get a fare around $800.

redpimp · Jun 30, 2005

wolfie_cr said:
After watching a show on A&E called "Airline" .......where the guys of southwest don't let you board if they know you had a few beers......I think I will stick to the usual continental/american/delta ..................

No airline lets you fly when you are intoxicated and its obvious to the airline employees... (Matter of fact i think i might even be illegal to be intoxicated but i am not sure about this..)

Regardless, why would wanna first stop at a bar before getting onto your plane?

They do serve alcohol on the flights you know that right????

marc · Jun 30, 2005

there are forums out there geared to business people who do a lot of traveling, but need to accumulate extra miles in order to maintain their premier flying status. The posters on those forums are experts on how to travel cheaply. Those are the best places to look for traveling advice.

royalfan · Jun 30, 2005

stomie said:
Incorrect Parsons, Southwest will always give you credit, I have done it may times.

Not every time.

joeyfitzclick · Jun 30, 2005

http://www.cheaptickets.com/trs/cheaptickets/home/index_01.xsl

WildBill · Jun 30, 2005

Southwest gives credit which isnt anything close to a refund. Say you miss a flight cause you had too much fun in Vegas and overslept. They can and often do force you to pay full ride on the next flight. You get credit for the missed flight, but if you bought in advance it can cost you hundreds more.

I strongly disagree with saying no big deal on picking seats. If you think that you must not have sat in a middle seat on a long Southwest flight. It sucks. I fly Southwest a lot for convenience but I am always happier with assigned seats. Since I almost always buy in advance I get a good seat and don't have to race to the airport to get into prime seating position. Doesn't matter on hour flights but anything longer and I will take assigned seating every time.

agreeen · Jun 30, 2005

www.sidestep.com

hands down best site for travel!!!

wolfie_cr · Jun 30, 2005

"No airline lets you fly when you are intoxicated and its obvious to the airline employees... (Matter of fact i think i might even be illegal to be intoxicated but i am not sure about this..)

Regardless, why would wanna first stop at a bar before getting onto your plane?

They do serve alcohol on the flights you know that right????"

It just so happens that they do have bars at the airports. Not sure if you have seen them. Perhaps you haven't seen them............

Also it APPEARS that they dont issue standard boarding passes, meaning that you think you are in but you are not, lets add to that that I saw them on the air violating a FAA rule that has existed for a long time, if you don't fly your luggage doesn't fly , well this poor idiot was not let in the plane.......and they were about to take off with his suitcases

Nomad1951 · Jun 30, 2005

www.sidestep.com

kind of a search engine of search engines, both sites like Orbitz and airline sites. Read about it Wall St. Journal. Everyone at my biz now uses it.

TTinCO · Jun 30, 2005

redpimp said:
No airline lets you fly when you are intoxicated and its obvious to the airline employees...

Um, for the record, yes that is the official policy. In reality, I damn near had to be carried onto a flight in March and all I got was a "it's a good thing you're behaving".

That'll teach them to have 6am flights to Cancun with mandatory 4am check ins on a Saturday morning...there were about 15 of us that got tanked in the airport all night. It was a hoot!

wolfie_cr · Jun 30, 2005

the problem is when you have people having power trips on a little airport ................thats some of what they show on tv , sometimes the minimum thing........and then you have a 3.5 dollar/hr guy telling you "no sir you cant fly", on top of that the restrictions in luggage ......forget it .............unless you can afford NOT to be there when you have to .............then stick to flying major airlines AND cross your fingers cause even then .........

Objection · Jun 30, 2005

redpimp said:
I am a loyal southwest customer and fly with them every where i go. I wouldnt dream of using another airline....Its the only airline i know that has zero penalties...ie if you miss your flight you get another for free, you can change the flight for free without penalty etc etc...

They have had a special running this summer for 49 bucks round trip anywhere southwest flies to. (it might even be still running)

If you live on southwest routes and travel to their destinations, you would be a complete moron to use any other airline..

(And all that personalized sitting is over rated!!!!) There aint nothing wrong with travelling coach... You all get there at the same time and your seats are pretty much identical!!!

My only complaint with southwest is that at all airports i have been to, they are always situated out in the boonies...I dont if its because their flights are always fuller and normally have more planes but you always find yourself trekking to the furthest gate at the end of the earth!!!!

Everbody has their own preferences.I've taken 2 flights on Southwest in my life and now I would not ever accept a free ticket on them if offered one.

WildBill · Jul 1, 2005

Nomad1951 said:
www.sidestep.com

kind of a search engine of search engines, both sites like Orbitz and airline sites. Read about it Wall St. Journal. Everyone at my biz now uses it.

They don't pick up a number of airlines though, including Southwest, Jetblue and some others. Unfortunately there are no one-stop shops, the discounters and the full-fare guys just don't play together. Geez though, it takes 10-15 minutes to follow my instructions and I can almost guarantee you get the best going price for a domestic flight. International flights you might get a consolidator.

One other note, if your trip is between two Southwest cities and the cheapest fare you see is $400 or more, look into buying a Southwest voucher. Going rate on Craigslist is about $300-350. They are totally transferrable, you just have to work it out with the person you buy it from to make your reservations for you. This generally only comes up when you have some last minute trip to go on, but something to keep in mind. Or even better yet, do what I do. I ask around my circle and my office looking for someone willing to offload it. Usually end up paying $150-200. If you offer people you know $200 for a voucher, they often will take it.

Whoson1st · Jul 1, 2005

Objection said:
Everbody has their own preferences.I've taken 2 flights on Southwest in my life and now I would not ever accept a free ticket on them if offered one.

Can you tell us, why? I've never flown Southwest, so I have no idea. But my general idea is that there is very little difference from one major airlines to the next. (Of course, personalities differ ....but are their planes as safe as others?.
I hate flying...my #1 concern is safety, #2..did my luggage get to the same place. But that's just me)

Objection · Jul 1, 2005

Whoson1st said:
Can you tell us, why? I've never flown Southwest, so I have no idea. But my general idea is that there is very little difference from one major airlines to the next. (Of course, personalities differ ....but are their planes as safe as others?.
I hate flying...my #1 concern is safety, #2..did my luggage get to the same place. But that's just me)

I think Southwest is currently 3rd best in lost luggage complaints and I don't think they have ever had a fatal accident.Many people like Southwest,I'm not one of them.