IAD to SFO on a budget
Jul 14, 2015, 7:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 76
IAD to SFO on a budget
Here's my ideal itinerary:
Did the best I could (admittedly which may not be that good) on my usual sites (Kayak, Google Flights, Priceline, Orbitz, RouteHappy, Southwest).
Although I am open to other airports (DCA/BWI, OAK/SAC/SMF) but it gets really expensive with cab fares or rentals.
The only other option I can think of is to use AA miles. Curiously I'm seeing some decent Business MileSAAver availability for my dates (25k each way per person) but I was saving those miles for a family trip to Australia this winter.
Any advice is appreciated.
From: IAD To: SFO
Depart: 7/18 Return: 8/1
2 Adults 1 Infant in Lap
Does it get better than $860?Depart: 7/18 Return: 8/1
2 Adults 1 Infant in Lap
Did the best I could (admittedly which may not be that good) on my usual sites (Kayak, Google Flights, Priceline, Orbitz, RouteHappy, Southwest).
Although I am open to other airports (DCA/BWI, OAK/SAC/SMF) but it gets really expensive with cab fares or rentals.
The only other option I can think of is to use AA miles. Curiously I'm seeing some decent Business MileSAAver availability for my dates (25k each way per person) but I was saving those miles for a family trip to Australia this winter.
Any advice is appreciated.
Last edited by JuliusPIV; Jul 14, 2015 at 8:22 pm
Jul 14, 2015, 8:16 pm
#3
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
It's the height of summer tourist season, you are about to be inside 7 day advance purchase window, so at this point I believe there are NO good options. Prices are NOT likely to come down.
Try to see if you can get AA saver in coach, otherwise if you HAVE to go, you'll just have to bite the bullet @:-)
Try to see if you can get AA saver in coach, otherwise if you HAVE to go, you'll just have to bite the bullet @:-)
Jul 15, 2015, 3:47 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maui OGG Hoity-Toityville
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Rewards Silver,United Miles plus Hawaiian Air AirTran SWA
Posts: 579
IAD to SFO on a budget
SWA only has good fares more than 7 days out
Most good fares are 14+ days out
They gouge you at last minute
Most good fares are 14+ days out
They gouge you at last minute
Jul 15, 2015, 5:27 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,320
Here's my ideal itinerary:
Did the best I could (admittedly which may not be that good) on my usual sites (Kayak, Google Flights, Priceline, Orbitz, RouteHappy, Southwest).
Although I am open to other airports (DCA/BWI, OAK/SAC/SMF) but it gets really expensive with cab fares or rentals.
The only other option I can think of is to use AA miles. Curiously I'm seeing some decent Business MileSAAver availability for my dates (25k each way per person) but I was saving those miles for a family trip to Australia this winter.
Any advice is appreciated.
From: IAD To: SFO
Depart: 7/18 Return: 8/1
2 Adults 1 Infant in Lap
Does it get better than $860?Depart: 7/18 Return: 8/1
2 Adults 1 Infant in Lap
Did the best I could (admittedly which may not be that good) on my usual sites (Kayak, Google Flights, Priceline, Orbitz, RouteHappy, Southwest).
Although I am open to other airports (DCA/BWI, OAK/SAC/SMF) but it gets really expensive with cab fares or rentals.
The only other option I can think of is to use AA miles. Curiously I'm seeing some decent Business MileSAAver availability for my dates (25k each way per person) but I was saving those miles for a family trip to Australia this winter.
Any advice is appreciated.
If you're not flexible on dates or airports, Flyer talkers are not going to be able to come up with any fares different from the ones you're seeing. May they drop closer in? Sure. But BWI-SEA is a very different route so the comment about that isn't so helpful. They just as likely will go up.
Jul 15, 2015, 5:30 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Do not let yourself get inside the 7-day window. Sure, it is always possible that the bottom drops out of the market and some 100-person tour group cancels, thus opening dirt cheap fare buckets, but that's highly unlikely.
You are edging towards walk-up prices.
As you price things, look at the total. Not just airfare. If an UberX to DCA + airfare costs more than xIAD, IAD is a better deal and so on.
You are edging towards walk-up prices.
As you price things, look at the total. Not just airfare. If an UberX to DCA + airfare costs more than xIAD, IAD is a better deal and so on.
Jul 15, 2015, 8:46 am
#10
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
And others do it more so than WN.
Almost anytime I had to fly inside 7 days back when my work took me all over US my company would put me on WN, as they were (about 6 years ago) the cheapest.
And unless you need to take a ton of luggage, you can use public transport. Certainly available for BWI and DCA and all airports in SFO area, including OAK and SJC.
Jul 15, 2015, 11:13 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DCA IAD BWI
Programs: AS MVP, Hyatt Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry, Hertz 5*
Posts: 176
Jul 15, 2015, 12:07 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 76
Thank you everyone for the really helpful responses and I have a better understanding of what's going on.
Considering the urgent situation, I'm going to look at either buying some AA miles (while I can still advantage of the bonus) and get out that way or that ~$860 fare that gets me in super late.
Many thanks on the insight!
Considering the urgent situation, I'm going to look at either buying some AA miles (while I can still advantage of the bonus) and get out that way or that ~$860 fare that gets me in super late.
Many thanks on the insight!