Budget Travel - Travelling to Hawaii in May, need help

I was looking to travel to Kauai Island, HI (LIH) from DC/Baltimore/Newark in late May but much to my dismay, unless I complete my travel before May 19, the fares jump a few hundred dollars. I thought that off season in Hawaii lasted till Mid-June and checking on Travelocity, the seats on the flights are largely empty.

I guess my question is that should I wait for better deals to pop up or swallow the $700 per person airfare. *GULP*

Any input would be great, thanks!

Well, end of May is hitting a holiday... so you may be getting caught up in that.

I also believe that the off season for Hawaii does end in mid-May.

LIH is just going to be expensive to get to... I would probably lock in the ticket... and hope I could get a refare/voucher if the fare goes down.

Can you share your exact dates so we can check for options?

Well, end of May is hitting a holiday... so you may be getting caught up in that.

I also believe that the off season for Hawaii does end in mid-May.

LIH is just going to be expensive to get to... I would probably lock in the ticket... and hope I could get a refare/voucher if the fare goes down.

Can you share your exact dates so we can check for options?

Thank you for your reply. Looking for 20-31 of May. Eep, am I outta luck?

I was looking specifically to include 20-27 for my trip since I have a free place to stay during those dates.

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If you don't care about the FF miles, consider putting in a bid on Priceline.

If you don't care about the FF miles ...

Bite your tongue !!!

Oh, OK, we're in the Budget Forum. Still .....

It was my work trip to HON plus DEQM that made me 1K :D Not that I get to take advantage of it at the moment :mad:

First trip of the year on *A tomorrow :(

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Try Kayak.com, you can search for flexible dates. I did find a $675 US Air flight BWI-LIH, leaving on 5/19, returning on 5/27. I'm not sure you're going to do much better, and it will probably go up as we get closer. As was mentioned before, you're running into Memorial Day Weekend on your return.

I am finding $542 RT flights to HNL during your time period, with $88 RT flights from HNL to LIH. You might consider doing something like that to save $170 or so.

Try Kayak.com, you can search for flexible dates. I did find a $675 US Air flight BWI-LIH, leaving on 5/19, returning on 5/27. I'm not sure you're going to do much better, and it will probably go up as we get closer. As was mentioned before, you're running into Memorial Day Weekend on your return.

I am finding $542 RT flights to HNL during your time period, with $88 RT flights from HNL to LIH. You might consider doing something like that to save $170 or so.

That's what I was afraid of.

Thanks BLI-Flyer. At this rate I think I'll just fly earlier. For ~$1400 for two, I can book five nights at a 4-star resort plus airfare for two people. I think I'd rather just do that.

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, in years past the "window" was something like April 20-May 15-ish. Hawaii has really taken it on the chin from service reductions and complete shutdowns of some players. In the new environment the "sales" may well be just from a few gateways to HNL. Demand is down but so are seats. Would also suspect more people are trying to redeem miles rather than spend cash.

Yeah, in years past the "window" was something like April 20-May 15-ish. Hawaii has really taken it on the chin from service reductions and complete shutdowns of some players. In the new environment the "sales" may well be just from a few gateways to HNL. Demand is down but so are seats. Would also suspect more people are trying to redeem miles rather than spend cash.

Yeah, I've heard Hawaii is being hit hard and the sky high fares probably aren't helping either. I don't fly enough to redeem miles, prefer road trips. But once I'm out of school I will try to take full advantage of Frequent Flyer programs.

Indeed, I remember way back when airlines would treat Hawaii flights as special, with costumed FAs, special menus, souvenir bumpf, etc. They knew people were excited to go and used to to make an impression for the airline.

Nowadays the mainland-Hawaii flights are dreaded cattle-car experiences, treated as domestic for service levels but international for upgrades (worst of both worlds). Fares from ATL are typically high with sales infrequent. Classic cartel-like behavior (limiting supply to push up rates) and treating the routes as cash cows. Figuratively, many people are paying steak prices and getting hamburger.

My typical Hawaii trip is as a stopover on an award-travel Asia itin. Sometimes takes booking acrobatics to do, but then sometimes the paid Hawaii tickets from ATL are as much as the paid Asia ones.

Indeed, I remember way back when airlines would treat Hawaii flights as special, with costumed FAs, special menus, souvenir bumpf, etc. They knew people were excited to go and used to to make an impression for the airline.

Nowadays the mainland-Hawaii flights are dreaded cattle-car experiences, treated as domestic for service levels but international for upgrades (worst of both worlds). Fares from ATL are typically high with sales infrequent. Classic cartel-like behavior (limiting supply to push up rates) and treating the routes as cash cows. Figuratively, many people are paying steak prices and getting hamburger.

My typical Hawaii trip is as a stopover on an award-travel Asia itin. Sometimes takes booking acrobatics to do, but then sometimes the paid Hawaii tickets from ATL are as much as the paid Asia ones.

I'm dreading the flight as well. And for half the price, why not fly to the Caribbean instead? I understand tourism in Hawaii is down 10% or so from last year, owing to the economy and high airfare.

http://www.gadling.com/2009/02/27/a-grim-outlook-for-hawaii-tourism/

I'm dreading the flight as well. And for half the price, why not fly to the Caribbean instead? I understand tourism in Hawaii is down 10% or so from last year, owing to the economy and high airfare.

http://www.gadling.com/2009/02/27/a-grim-outlook-for-hawaii-tourism/

It's certainly a mystery to me. Igo four or five times a year (family), but even though I keep hearing how badly tourism has suffered, the fares still seem quite high. Not sure who's filling up all those seats or if it's just that the number of flights has been reduced.

Ain't just Lihue that's pricy, Hilo is completely unreasonable right now.

It's certainly a mystery to me. Igo four or five times a year (family), but even though I keep hearing how badly tourism has suffered, the fares still seem quite high. Not sure who's filling up all those seats or if it's just that the number of flights has been reduced.

I think it's the flight cuts. Losing Aloha and ATA certainly didn't help, and other airlines have been trimming. It hasn't been good for hotels or others over there dependent on the traffic (though I would say that hotel rates had been going up quite a bit & might've needed some air taken out of them).

I think it's the flight cuts. Losing Aloha and ATA certainly didn't help, and other airlines have been trimming. It hasn't been good for hotels or others over there dependent on the traffic (though I would say that hotel rates had been going up quite a bit & might've needed some air taken out of them).

Agreed, hotel prices have dropped and I hope the difference will make up for the higher airfare. Hawaii also remains a luxury destination for many and perhaps airlines don't feel pressured to lower the prices. I remember sub-$300 flights from the East Coast to Honolulu and Lihue late last year. I'm hoping for similar prices for May, but I'd rather play it safe and book the $500 fare while I can.