Budget Travel - Desperately in need of advice

A bit of the backstory: I am 26 and putting myself through graduate school. I don't mind eating Ramen for the most part, but situations like the one I am in now really make me realize what a tight spot I am in financially. Three days ago I received a call from an estranged relative who informed me that my uncle--who had essentially taken the place of my father after my parents died--had passed away. I have flown to see him (he was in Houston, I am in Tallahassee) a few times in the past but mostly when he was able to buy the ticket for me or on the rare occasion when I could afford one on my own, such as over the summer when SW had some incredible deals.

So I am in a serious pinch. The memorial is on Saturday and I have to manage to get from Tallahassee to Houston for less than $300 (including taxes, fees, etc.) as I need enough for a hotel and a rental car as well. I am willing to fly out of Panama City, as they are now a SW hub, or Jacksonville but would have to account for parking/gas. In the past, I have flown into HOU, but IAH is obviously an option as well.

Do any of you know the best way to approach this? Right now the fares are around $500 at the cheapest and even though I read the best day to buy is on Tuesday, I am only afraid they are going to go up. I have considered the name your own price route but I've heard some pretty awful horror stories and by not being able to choose when I arrive and leave, I would have to book an extra night at a hotel and extend my rental for another day.

I know you guys get this sort of request a lot but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tallahassee to Houston is about 706 miles each way. Does it make sense for you to drive, staying in a motel in one direction or the other, depending on timing?

I would drive it, especially if you need a rental car in Houston.

I've done the drive in one day before and it's not too terrible.

I would drive it. 12 hrs max since it is mostly freeways.

When I was around your age, I drove (twice) from central TX to Southern CA without staying in a motel. Took 27 hrs but I was young & drank coffee. Stopped for breaks, gas & meals. This was in the day when the speed limit was 55. :td:

If you flew, you may end up with having to change planes (unless you flew CO which IAH is a large hub). Between security, times to/from both airports, etc, driving may make more sense.

If your car is older (like mine were for years!), I would rent a car for a 4 day weekend (Thursday evening to Monday evening) or for a week. I would find a neighborhood rental place so you don't have to pay alot of taxes/fees for renting at an airport. Hertz has alot of neighborhood rental places along with Enterprise. Personally, I like Hertz better.

If you do the rental car route, read the car rental threads on FT and use coupons & corporate discounts to book your reservation. Check with your car insurance company to see if your car insurance can be used for the rental. Especially the collision/comp part so you don't have to pay for "damage" waiver, which can be quite costly.

Bottom line: It can be difficult to find a low airfare to attend a funeral. I always had frequent flier miles (25K-50K--back in the day when 25K was enough for a FF ticket) in at least several programs. (Northwest, United, Continental, US Airways, Delta, etc).

Now one should have at least 50K (60K with Delta) in an FF account. I had to fly to several funerals in the last 10 years and I always used FF miles.

One crazy trip I was on was in 1990. One of my friends rented a full size car ($107ai) for one week and we drive (3 of us) from Orange County, CA to SEA & beyond to Vancouver and back. All within a week. Crazy? YES!

I have to manage to get from Tallahassee to Houston for less than $300 (including taxes, fees, etc.).

Sorry for your loss.

I would drive it, especially if you need a rental car in Houston.

I've done the drive in one day before and it's not too terrible.

I would drive it. 12 hrs max since it is mostly freeways.

Some good advice here. Unless you can get a bereavement fare (CO has them, not sure uncle would qualify. Southwest not so much - they claim their prices are already low), no way you will come close to your target price.

I've driven Mobile-Galveston in one sitting - not much shorter than your itin, and very doable.

So your best bet is to drive.

EmailKid

ooh-koo

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, and I hope that you will be able to find a reasonably inexpensive way to get to the funeral. I agree with the others. I think you'll have better luck driving than flying.

Another possibility might be the bus (for example, if you don't want to drive that far on your own or need to study en route). You could also take Greyhound - a regular fare is around $250 return and takes 16-20 hours. You could probably get a lower fare as a student.

As for accommodation when you get there, is there any kind of connection through your university that might be able to help you find a couch to surf on in Houston?

Best of luck.

Hotwire and Priceline won't force you to depart or return a different day other than what you have choosen. However, you have no control over the times, routing, or airline. So chances are you may need an additional night in a hotel depending on what time you leave/arrive and times for the memorial service.

You can also use Hotwire or Priceline for hotel and car rentals. Hotwire will show you the price (click through to the next page for the total with taxes) while Priceline you make a bid (which will be before taxes but the total shown on the next page). Both allow you to specify the area (zone) you want to stay in and car type. Hotwire will tell you if there is a complimentary airport shuttle. Hotels on the weekends at airports tend to be cheaper.

I'd try this before but again remember you won't have any say on flight times. Also, everything is non refundable.

ddddddddd