Honeymoon panic - worst possible time
Jun 25, 2015, 6:25 pm
#16
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http://www.skygreece.com
New greek airline, YYZ-ATH, traditional greek hospitality on board, check it out. The only thing is they only have a couple of planes and they are new.
New greek airline, YYZ-ATH, traditional greek hospitality on board, check it out. The only thing is they only have a couple of planes and they are new.
Jun 25, 2015, 7:14 pm
#17
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^^^ People tend to freak out about the cost of airfare because they see it in one amount. Add up your hotels over time and put them in one lump sum. Do the same for meals, events, sight-seeing, etc. That will put the cost of airfare into proper perspective.
+/- $200 on a 3 week honeymoon in Europe falls under the category of "don't sweat the small stuff".
+/- $200 on a 3 week honeymoon in Europe falls under the category of "don't sweat the small stuff".
Jun 25, 2015, 8:45 pm
#18
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^^^ People tend to freak out about the cost of airfare because they see it in one amount. Add up your hotels over time and put them in one lump sum. Do the same for meals, events, sight-seeing, etc. That will put the cost of airfare into proper perspective.
+/- $200 on a 3 week honeymoon in Europe falls under the category of "don't sweat the small stuff".
+/- $200 on a 3 week honeymoon in Europe falls under the category of "don't sweat the small stuff".
Always assume your trip will cost 50% more than you expect. In that context, a $100-200 difference in airfare on an international trip shouldn't throw your budget out of whack.
Jun 25, 2015, 10:27 pm
#19
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Yup. Don't forget to budget for the things you don't know. And even more importantly for the things that you don't know that you don't know.
Jun 26, 2015, 1:44 am
#20
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I am rather ignorant about points etc but I have a question. I understand a mileage run but for what purpose do you want it here. To obtain status for your daughter to get an upgrade or for more points to buy honeymoon tickets etc?
Just wondering.
Just wondering.
Jun 26, 2015, 1:52 am
#21
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He didn't want a mileage run, just a really cheap ticket like someone might use for a mileage run. (He decided just to grab the reasonably priced non-stop tickets rather than futz around trying to save $50 here and there with awkward connections.)
Jun 26, 2015, 1:55 am
#22
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Thanks for the update Doc!!
Jun 26, 2015, 2:12 am
#23
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Just chiming in with those who say that $200 in the context of a three-week holiday/honeymoon in Europe is a rounding error. Sorry, I don't mean to freely deal with other people's money, but this is the cost of a nice dinner in Athens, or a hotel night, so choose the most convenient and reliable flights (none of this new-startup business, have you read about what's going on in Greece currently?) and enjoy the honeymoon.
Jun 26, 2015, 7:26 am
#26
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Nicely done. I still think you did quite well for a July TATL fare with 1 month advance purchase. ^
Jun 26, 2015, 10:48 am
#27
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Agree with above. It will only be more difficult to save once you get there and that is how you dig an even bigger hole. The sentiment becomes 'this is our honeymoon, put it on the credit card'. You want to be able to enjoy the trip and sounds like things will be tight when they get there if airfare is an issue.
Not judging but I definitely wouldn't want to start a new life together officially as husband and wife with a cloud over our heads.
If there's anything you can cut from the wedding budget it would probably help. Or start a honeymoon registry instead of regular gifts.
Not judging but I definitely wouldn't want to start a new life together officially as husband and wife with a cloud over our heads.
If there's anything you can cut from the wedding budget it would probably help. Or start a honeymoon registry instead of regular gifts.
Jun 26, 2015, 12:02 pm
#28
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I don't know...when I was young, I was very capable of traveling in Europe on a pretty tight budget. We took a 1 month honeymoon, Hawaii and Europe, and didn't break the bank. Miles and hotel points were absolutely a requirement for Hawaii, but they weren't for Europe: we just stayed in pensiones and (low end) B&B's that most FTers wouldn't be caught dead in.
A few years before that, we spent a month in Europe doing the full-on backpacker thing, staying in hostels when we weren't sleeping on overnight trains, eating streetfood, and finding the student-centric bars/clubs in each city. Awesome trip...only minor regret is that we didn't do 2 or 3 months.
It's possible that this couple is seeking to do something like that as opposed to a luxury trip. In that case, I won't condemn them for going...it frankly sounds like a pretty cool honeymoon, even if it entails spartan accommodations. They've picked a region where that's certainly possible.
A few years before that, we spent a month in Europe doing the full-on backpacker thing, staying in hostels when we weren't sleeping on overnight trains, eating streetfood, and finding the student-centric bars/clubs in each city. Awesome trip...only minor regret is that we didn't do 2 or 3 months.
It's possible that this couple is seeking to do something like that as opposed to a luxury trip. In that case, I won't condemn them for going...it frankly sounds like a pretty cool honeymoon, even if it entails spartan accommodations. They've picked a region where that's certainly possible.
Jun 26, 2015, 12:48 pm
#29
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I agree with pinniped; you don't have to break the bank. For example, this hotel in Athens is perfectly fine, excellent service and breakfast, too, for only about $60 a night.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ns_Attica.html
Walking distance to almost everything.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ns_Attica.html
Walking distance to almost everything.
Jun 29, 2015, 8:30 am
#30
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At this point, I would be more worried about the Greek economy problems than trying to save on airfare. I hope your daughter isn't planning on charging much to her credit card. Many merchants in Greece are starting to refuse them. While the problems may be resolved by the time she travels, they may not.
Suggest they carry plenty of cash.
Suggest they carry plenty of cash.