trying to get to DCA on a good fare
Jun 9, 2019, 11:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: WI
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 631
trying to get to DCA on a good fare
Got a last minute plea for some babysitting help in July. I just really prefer to fly Delta rather than American but the prices are very different. My route is LSE-DCA. Right now the fare difference is $200+. If Delta would have a sale would it start on Sunday or middle week? Using other airports is not going to work this time. Looking at the seats for the time period it looks like there are many open. I read in other posts Delta will fly with open seats rather than lower the price. I am about a month out from when I would like to travel but I have flexibility. I use the flexible days chart. Any hope for me?
Jun 9, 2019, 12:05 pm
#2
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
Well, you can either save money and fly AA probably through ORD, or pay a premium, connect through MSP and fly Delta. There isn't much of a chance prices will go down. So it will come down to preference and willingness to pay.
Jun 9, 2019, 12:47 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It's always possible that fares will drop close in, but that is rare. Especially to DCA in the summer.
Given that you are looking at 2 short flights, I would focus on price & convenience and not on the carrier.
Given that you are looking at 2 short flights, I would focus on price & convenience and not on the carrier.
Jun 9, 2019, 1:20 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,775
Does it have to be DCA? Have you looked at fares into IAD or BWI?
I wouldn’t expect to see any sales or deals into DCA during the summer months. Almost every flight is always full.
The higher fare may also be attributed to your originating airport.
I wouldn’t expect to see any sales or deals into DCA during the summer months. Almost every flight is always full.
The higher fare may also be attributed to your originating airport.
Jun 9, 2019, 1:48 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,062
It's peak summer seasonal travel. There won't be any sales. WN just had their regular anniversary sale last week, but it was only good for travel from Aug 20th - Dec 18th. No $49 fares for when the kids are out of school and demand is at it's peak. Looking at a seat map a month out is irrelevant. Most seats are sold closer in than that (especially to a destination like DCA).
Jun 9, 2019, 2:00 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,040
Got a last minute plea for some babysitting help in July. I just really prefer to fly Delta rather than American but the prices are very different. My route is LSE-DCA. Right now the fare difference is $200+. If Delta would have a sale would it start on Sunday or middle week? Using other airports is not going to work this time. Looking at the seats for the time period it looks like there are many open. I read in other posts Delta will fly with open seats rather than lower the price. I am about a month out from when I would like to travel but I have flexibility. I use the flexible days chart. Any hope for me?
Jun 9, 2019, 3:16 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: WI
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 631
It is a 2 1/2 hour drive plus motel and parking to MSP. I did check IAD and the fares are a little better. Going through IAD is another story
Thanks to a previous poster who suggested that idea.
Thanks to a previous poster who suggested that idea.
Jun 12, 2019, 3:20 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: WI
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 631
I did find a fare I could live with on Delta going to IAD. Returning both planes are CRJ (what a grandparent won't do) I have 50 minutes in Detroit so I am wondering if it is likely if my connection will be in the same concourse since both flights are on the smaller plane? I guess even if I have to change concourses most can be walked in about 20 minutes. This will be only my second time in Detroit so I am asking.
Jun 12, 2019, 4:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,775
I did find a fare I could live with on Delta going to IAD. Returning both planes are CRJ (what a grandparent won't do) I have 50 minutes in Detroit so I am wondering if it is likely if my connection will be in the same concourse since both flights are on the smaller plane? I guess even if I have to change concourses most can be walked in about 20 minutes. This will be only my second time in Detroit so I am asking.
Is your flight from DCA-DTW an RJ? This route is typically flown with an Airbus or CRJ7/9. In the past two years all of my DCA-DTW flights have gone into A. If you're on a CRJ200 to your final destination it will likely be in B/C. You'll need to walk the tunnel to the other concourse, but it's still doable.
Jun 12, 2019, 6:42 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,775
Jun 12, 2019, 9:31 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,062