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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jan 28, 2008 9:44:03 GMT -5
There will be so many choices of airlines for that route that even though it would leave part of your schedule unfinished, I would suggest waiting until very close to the date unless you see a spectactular fare in the interim - often, you can get a good deal last minute especially at a relatively off-time (which that would be). Also, don't forget that as with trains in Europe, a lot of times you will get a better fare by booking a round trip ticket and throwing away the second half. (In fact, you might do best by watching for the cheap last minute weekend fares on an airline you don't normally use - so they can't "punish" you in some way - and just doing that.)
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Post by Penny on Jan 28, 2008 12:04:29 GMT -5
 when I'm having a bad case of "I want to be there so bad" I wander through the travel sites to see what fares are going for. I recently found a good fare from St. Louis on Air Canada from yamama (or similar name) however it is one of the sites where you have to go through the entire booking process ( >:(and then close the site and start all over) to find the exact fare with taxes and surcharges. So does anyone know how these surcharges and taxes are determined? I've found some sites that show airport surcharge at a very low amount but if able to find entire fare it's about two hundred more than fare shown before taxes, etc. Second: Air Canada has a stop over in Toronto. Does anyone know if you have to go through Canadian Customs in Toronto? I don't think you stay on same plane but have not really researched further. And lastly has anyone flown Air Canada?
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Post by Darcy on Jan 28, 2008 23:20:16 GMT -5
If you are flying from the US to Toronto to Europe, you will have to clear customs in Toronto. When I visit my dad, I can fly Charlotte/Toronto/Vancouver or Charlotte/SFO/Vancouver. I always choose the latter so I don't have to go through customs in the middle of my flight which is always such a hassle. Honestly, I've never understood all the discussion about which airline is better, I think they're all the same and Air Canada is no better or no worse than any other airline I've flown on. Airports, on the other hand, are another story entirely.  |
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Post by joan1 on Feb 1, 2008 12:17:21 GMT -5
Another point, I never look at prices of tickets once I have purchased mine, I think that could be painful, once I have my ticket I am happy and I refuse to let anything bring me down, like seeing the price drop 100 dollars , LOL
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Post by willow on Feb 26, 2008 18:08:57 GMT -5
Will I find a fair any cheaper than $582 for Dec.26-Jan.4?
It is on NW airlines, with a stop in Minnesota, and then onwards to Paris.
I found it today on Massimo, and it is the lowest as of the last weeks.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Feb 26, 2008 20:55:01 GMT -5
I don't think you could possibly do better than that, especially at that time of year - I say, grab it and don't look back (Joan is right about that!).
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Post by willow on Feb 26, 2008 21:13:38 GMT -5
I may just do that.
I just need to call my friend up to make sure she is ready to make the purchase.
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Post by rssilverandlight on Feb 27, 2008 0:28:00 GMT -5
We have given up looking for prices on airline tickets this year. We are cashing in 100,000 miles round trip each on frequent flyer. BTW, many airlines, beginning in May, are going to be charging for a second bag each that is checked. Someone has suggested that you fill it with money because you will need it once you get there.  |
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Post by susanb on Feb 27, 2008 1:18:22 GMT -5
I wonder if you could just fit your smaller one inside it being careful of wt. restrictions , and then put all your French goodies in on the way home. Then, you are only charged 1 time. For me, it would be worth a try.
sb
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Feb 27, 2008 1:51:41 GMT -5
Susan, I always take a lightweight foldable duffel bag packed in a regular suitcase, for exactly that reason (if nothing else, I can use it for the laundry and shoes, and pack the goodies in the "real" suitcase coming home).
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Post by Happygoin on Feb 27, 2008 8:25:31 GMT -5
I've done both. I've put my smaller (weekender) inside my larger one and I've also taken a folding duffel. All this was after years of having to go to a store and buy another piece of luggage to get all my purchases home, lol. I can't tell you how many (small) pieces of luggage I have purchased in Paris  . So do one or the other. I guess it depends on how much "stuff" you plan on buying. Every trip, I swear I'm going to keep my buying under control; and every trip I load up, especially at Bon Marche's Grand Epicerie. Now, I just think of it as grocery shopping . |
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Post by holger on Feb 27, 2008 8:43:29 GMT -5
;D
Willow,
That seems like an excellent proce for the tickets. Just make sure what it includes. If it does not include taxes and fees, it could add quite a bit to the ticket.
Have a great trip.
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Post by cybee on Feb 27, 2008 9:25:48 GMT -5
Yes, I would consider that a good price, Willow! Not to be Debbie Downer, but I heard on the news that the conversion factor is now 1.5 dollars to the euro~ ! Yikes! So good to cut costs where one can, especially with the airline ticket! |
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Post by willow on Feb 27, 2008 9:35:32 GMT -5
My tax return is going towards this trip, and the new additional refund. So I already have that set aside and in addition I am pulling 10 bucks out of each paycheck for a Paris spending fund into my BofA checking account. So even with the nasty conversion rate I have plenty of time to save, I hope!
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Post by Shoesy on Feb 27, 2008 9:42:51 GMT -5
Willow - I'm sure you'll find a way to save enough to have adequate spending money in Paris. Hey...... Just make sure that you don't skimp when it comes to buying food for cutie-pie Tarzan. I'm sure that big baby has a healthy appetite. ;D
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Post by willow on Feb 27, 2008 10:03:47 GMT -5
Willow - I'm sure you'll find a way to save enough to have adequate spending money in Paris. Hey...... Just make sure that you don't skimp when it comes to buying food for cutie-pie Tarzan. I'm sure that big baby has a healthy appetite. ;D Haha..he wouldn't let me skimp if I wanted to! Poor beastie is going to the vet on Saturday so he gets weighed in, and believe me he has not been watching his figure! |
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Post by susanb on Feb 27, 2008 10:20:52 GMT -5
Happy. A duffel is a little more flexable, and you can sure fit more grocerys in, suitcase has wheels easier to pull, heavier. Difficult decision. Becky, duffel good idea for shoes and laundry. Hmm....
whats a girl to do? Both excellent ideas! How difficult do airlines plan on making it for travelers?
sb
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Post by travelingprofessor on May 10, 2008 8:39:32 GMT -5
I use a site www.itasoftware.com. I understand it is the underlying search engine for expedia and orbitz. It gives you a lot of options such as being able to search for the least expensive flight within a custom timeframe, i.e., 10, 20, 30 days. |
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Post by GitteK on Jul 10, 2008 3:42:41 GMT -5
For my springtime voyage 30 April till 11 May 2009 1.182 DKK = 249 USD for airplane ticket 500 € = 786 USD for 11 nights in a petit studio This is the studio. Studio PigalleLocation Rue Frochot |
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Post by mez on Jul 10, 2008 6:01:46 GMT -5
Gitte...how could you??
Seriously, that is a great deal. Well done, bargain-hunter!
xxxxxx
For a comparison, I just priced a return ticket Sydney-Paris return for the same time and came up with approximate amoutns of AUD2700. Boooooo!!!!
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when I'm having a bad case of "I want to be there so bad" I wander through the travel sites to see what fares are going for.
. So do one or the other. I guess it depends on how much "stuff" you plan on buying. Every trip, I swear I'm going to keep my buying under control; and every trip I load up, especially at Bon Marche's Grand Epicerie. Now, I just think of it as grocery shopping 
hahahha