RustyC
Jun 3, 08, 3:24 am
Been so hard to get a budget trip lately in the mold of the good ol' days (8+ years ago) that it can get downright discouraging. Finally got something in the ballpark yesterday where all the planets aligned.
Was to MCO on an ATL-MCO deal on Spirit Airlines for $39 a-i RT ($9 each way base fare). The great thing was that a Friday (6/13) and a Sunday were offered, which doesn't often happen; usually to get both legs of the $9 deals you've gotta fly 1-day turnaround weekdays or something like that.
Airport parking makes sense because of 2 companies that have entertainment coupons for 2 free days with a minimum of 3. That'll total about $11 a-i.
On the car rent a $10/day bid for an economy for 2 days went through on Priceline, totaling just over $34. Looks like it was a soft weekend. If it were a 3-day rent the Entertainment coupons might have done better, but lately so many cities have such ridiculous taxes that it marks up the cost by 70% or so. MCO is just mildly outrageous.
Hotel also went through in St. Petersburg (will be driving there) at $33 for 2-star, or $61.93 a-i for 2 nights after targeted bonus cash offer taken out (otherwise $82-83).
Granted, MCO/TPA can be one of the better hunting grounds, but it seems on other trips lately there's been at least one cost element a little out of whack because of the high rate of recent price/tax rises in one area or another. It's reassuring and a morale boost to get all 3 legs on the stool for once.
('Ceptin maybe for a fourth leg of usable miles, though I'm Somebody #80,000 or so on Spirit. Also, once landed, gas will still be $4 or so a gallon.)
Was to MCO on an ATL-MCO deal on Spirit Airlines for $39 a-i RT ($9 each way base fare). The great thing was that a Friday (6/13) and a Sunday were offered, which doesn't often happen; usually to get both legs of the $9 deals you've gotta fly 1-day turnaround weekdays or something like that.
Airport parking makes sense because of 2 companies that have entertainment coupons for 2 free days with a minimum of 3. That'll total about $11 a-i.
On the car rent a $10/day bid for an economy for 2 days went through on Priceline, totaling just over $34. Looks like it was a soft weekend. If it were a 3-day rent the Entertainment coupons might have done better, but lately so many cities have such ridiculous taxes that it marks up the cost by 70% or so. MCO is just mildly outrageous.
Hotel also went through in St. Petersburg (will be driving there) at $33 for 2-star, or $61.93 a-i for 2 nights after targeted bonus cash offer taken out (otherwise $82-83).
Granted, MCO/TPA can be one of the better hunting grounds, but it seems on other trips lately there's been at least one cost element a little out of whack because of the high rate of recent price/tax rises in one area or another. It's reassuring and a morale boost to get all 3 legs on the stool for once.
('Ceptin maybe for a fourth leg of usable miles, though I'm Somebody #80,000 or so on Spirit. Also, once landed, gas will still be $4 or so a gallon.)