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Post by willow on Dec 29, 2007 21:21:17 GMT -5
Well today one of my friends approached me with the idea of maybe traveling to Paris for a few days in 2008. Since I'm so obsessed with with Paris, she thought she's ask me to come with since she is not one to travel on her own. I am definitely contemplating the idea (obviously!!), but I want to see if it is in my budget. Since we are both out of school, we can travel in the off seasons so I'm looking at various time frames this trip would be possible.
Have any of you found certain time frames/months have better deals? My tickets last time were in the 950 range, and I really don't want to spend that much again so soon!
Any advice?
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Post by greyghost1 on Dec 29, 2007 22:02:23 GMT -5
BA and others' sales usually end March 31. Then begin again in November. We usually fly during the Feb/March timeframe and have gotten some good deals. That said many travel articles are warning that airfares are rising because fuel is rising.
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Post by Shoesy on Dec 29, 2007 23:17:28 GMT -5
Willow - I had a feeling you'd start planning another trip to Paris soon. I hope it works out for you.......no, I'm SURE you're going to make it work out. Good luck in finding good deals, and have fun with all your planning. ;D
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Dec 30, 2007 0:20:40 GMT -5
Your friend is likely to have the best luck if she can be flexible about going at the last moment, or going in winter. I'm seeing some ticket prices for the next couple of months in the range of $600 (which, these days, is a good deal - sad to say!). Try checking kayak.com and sites like that for ideas.
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Post by Truffaut on Dec 30, 2007 8:55:14 GMT -5
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Post by suzanne on Dec 30, 2007 11:20:38 GMT -5
We are going in January and I bought tickets in November on NW for $625.00. I find it hard to believe that it costs more to fly from Chicago than from LAX but it seems to be that way. I found my tickets using Kayak. I checked twice a day for weeks. I had resigned myself to paying around $700.00 so when I saw the lower fare on NW i went for it. I now get to worry about weather related problems since we stop over in detroit.
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Post by willow on Dec 30, 2007 12:11:57 GMT -5
Unfortunately due to the way the firms we work for schedule time off, taking a last minute trip is pretty much out of the question. But for now I will check out the websites recommended and do a little feasibility analysis. I hadn't really planned on taking another trip to Paris so soon, but if it can be done, I will do it! It won't be another 2 week trip, at most 5-7 days, but it's Paris!!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Dec 30, 2007 12:15:50 GMT -5
Anna, it's amazing how the priorities change once you've been to Paris! Have fun with the planning, and look forward to the day when your first response to the question of whether you want to return to Paris is not whether you want to go, but just "it depends on how much time can I get off work"!
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Post by willow on Dec 30, 2007 12:32:25 GMT -5
I definitely do look forward to that!!
Eventually one day wayyyy off in the future I dream of owning a little apartment in Paris, but that's after life gets settled here!
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Post by joan1 on Jan 1, 2008 1:44:40 GMT -5
Ah,, Willow, it is now that you begin to sense the depth of addiction. . You see, once addicted to Paris, you will wish to return, no matter what, and no matter when, and for no matter how long. Yes, it is true, I used to say to people, "who would fly all that way for such a short trip"... but, once addicted, even the thought of 4 or 5 days in Paris makes me willing to shell out thousands in airfare, hotel, and suffer jet lag ,, all for the " short trip". My last trip was my shortest ever, only 9 days, and it was worth every day of it, but, I still sigh and think "if only I had longer". The good part is, that once so addicted you will MAKE a return trip a priority , no matter what.
You are young, you do not need sleep, nor do you need any surgery, so therefore, there is no reason for you not to go, even for a short trip. You do not NEED new carpeting,or to pay the electricity bill, or even food in the fridge,, no you NEED to return to Paris! LOL
OK , so I am a little crazy tonight, I am on mega cold remedys, plus I am going to have a glass of champane in an hour, so I imagine as looped as I am now, I shall sleep soundly tonight!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jan 1, 2008 11:46:32 GMT -5
But, even through the cold remedies and champagne, Joan speaks TRUTH!! ;D
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Post by suzanne on Jan 1, 2008 12:37:50 GMT -5
Joan really hit the nail on the head. I said the heck with the kitchen remodel. We're going to Paris instead. I think if you are seriously considering a place of your own in Paris you should start planning now.
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Post by willow on Jan 1, 2008 12:57:26 GMT -5
Joan, I was like that too. I always thought people were silly to go across the ocean (in either direction) for less than 10 days, but now I am allowing myself to consider a very short stay in Paris. It is an obsession that hits you like a sack of bricks, and it really takes hold of the part of your brain where previously logic resided! I am definitely a full fledged devotee of our beautiful city of Paris, and now I just have to figure out ways to pay tribute to this idol. And suzanne, I can't really allow myself to dream about a Paris apartment for awhile. Not till I have my own Chicagoland home! With that at least, I am sticking to old priorities!  |
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jan 1, 2008 13:59:23 GMT -5
Anna - one New Years' resolution (if you don't already do this, that is) would be to get a credit and/or debit card tied to a mileage program for one of the major airlines (whichever one you have been using the most, and presumably already have a frequent flyer membership with). Then, focus on doing whatever is "reasonably" possible to accumulate more miles. It will take probably a year or two for enough miles to get a free ticket but once you start doing that you will have a lot more flexibility. (This is especially good if you do some travel for your job, which will let you also use hotel programs tied to mileage programs.)
That could mean, short term, not getting the rock bottom lowest ticket price without regard to which airline (because this strategy will work best if you also keep your flights to one airline), but as soon as you get a free ticket or two you will be well ahead of the game. (And, if you are disciplined enough to pay it off each month, you even can run your groceries, gasoline, etc., through your card - I have a debit card tied to American and always do that for groceries, just because it adds several hundred miles a month.)
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Post by Darcy on Jan 1, 2008 15:39:11 GMT -5
Good advice about the credit card, Becky. I put absolutely everything on my US Air credit card because that is the only airline that flies from my little town.
Willow, start planning now for your Paris pied a terre, and you will get it, I know you will!
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Post by Jody on Jan 1, 2008 16:47:19 GMT -5
Suzanne, you might be able to do the remodel and Paris. I did, thanks to American Express double miles and a lovely independent contractor!
He let me buy everything for my kitchen and bath remodel on my credit card, double miles at Home depot and Lowes. We went together, I got his contractor prices and charged it all to my account. Had enough miles for 2 free tickets, a new kitchen and my bathroom!
I have the same 5 dollar bill in my wallet that has been there for at least 6 moonths. I charge EVERYTHING, even a coffee at Burger King! We upgraded to business to London in NOV. and next month we are upgrading again to London. I'm getting a bit too old for coach...but if that was my only option , I'd grin and bear it!
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Post by willow on Jan 1, 2008 20:37:50 GMT -5
That is a very good idea about the credit card! I don't fly much at all for now, but that would be a great investment. I will have to research the credit cards to figure out what works best, but that is a great way to feed the obsession! Thank you Becky!
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Post by willow on Jan 1, 2008 20:39:09 GMT -5
Darcy, As soon as I have that pied a terre, I will be inviting my fellow Our Paris members for some a nice glass of wine!!
But you'll have to be patient, it may be awhile!
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Post by Anne on Jan 5, 2008 9:22:46 GMT -5
Ben mince alors ! This is much cheaper than the TGV ticket from my place to Paris   ! And how long will be your stay and where will you stay ? |
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Post by holger on Jan 5, 2008 9:42:31 GMT -5
;D
Gitte, you lucky Dane. Enjoy. Those of us here can only drool at flight prices and the short flight time.
Demarais, we are going to Britain in late July. Have to pay and go economy plus as despite all our miles there were no Business seats available and I have to be in Glasgow on set dates for my conference.
Will just have to save those miles for France. I start calling 330 days before expected flight and this has worked last two years for Paris. But BA was much tougher this trip than either U.S. Air or Air France last two.
I hate economy and will likely feel crippled for days following the flight. Like you age makes it hard to fly. But we shall see.
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! 
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha