Flying our daughter home to Phoenix from Land O'Lakes for Thanksgiving. Have checked Rhinelander, Wausau, Appleton, and Duluth and it looks like the best deal taking into consideration driving times is Rhinelander, even though it means two plane changes. Will Frontier still be flying the Rhinelander shuttle in November? Does anyone know a better itinerary that I've overlooked? Flight dates are Nov. 17 to 23rd or 24th.

Skywest, operating as Delta Connection, has won the bid for Rhinelander and will take over flying there in the next handful of months. I'd say it's even money on if that change will be before or be after Thanksgiving. They have not announced it yet, but the DoT has made the award.

If you book the Frontier trip now and Delta ends up taking over, Frontier is required to work with the new carrier (Delta/Skywest) to rebook you. My only concern is tht I'm not 100% sure that you will be rebooked without any additional fee. I believe that's how it is supposed to be, but I am not absolutely certain.

So if you do book into Rhinelander, you're probably okay because either Frontier will still be flying it, or if Delta takes over by then they are required to rebook you. But again, I'm only about 85% sure that you would be rebooked wtihout any difference in fare due.

Have you checked Iron Mountain or Escanaba? I see Wausau for abot $420 round trip on those days on American and United.

One other option -- you could fly Allegiant into Appleton, nonstop from Phoenix/Mesa Airport (that's not Sky Harbor but the other one). It is not a daily service so you'd need to adjust dates a little, but it might be worth the nonstop flight and cost savings:

Flights from Phoenix/Mesa to Appleton in mid November
15th $80.80
18th $140.80

Flights from Appleton to Phoenix/Mesa in late November
21st $120.80
25th $186.80

So these dates have round trips anywhere between $201.60 and $327.60. Be aware with these guys, however, that there are fees for everything including $10 for booking online, around $15-30 for a carryon bag, and even $4 for using a credit card instead of a debit card when you pay. So just be aware your fare could creep up some.

Just remembered Allegiant flies to Duluth, too.

Flights from Phoenix/Mesa to Duluth in mid November
16th $60.80
19th $120.80
20th $80.80

Flights from Duluth to Phoenix/Mesa in late November
24th $120.80

These dates might work even better than Appleton's.

Thanks for the info on the change at Rhinelander!
She needs to fly the dates listed, so Allegiant won't work.

If it were me I'd stay away from Rhinelander for the moment; too much uncertainty.

I like Knope's idea about Allegiant; if that doesn't work I'd go with CWA or GRB. Keep in mind that the weather can get squirrely that time of year so I'd say it's best to avoid a double connect.

We went with Delta out of CWA (could have booked United but after all I've read on here about their problems we chose Delta). Next up is Christmas... will keep checking on the Frontier/Skywest change.

Looks like Frontier will be here through holidays

http://www.rhinelanderdailynews.com/...rticleID=53506

Thanks for the link and welcome to Flyertalk, mchjmtz.

Well, Delta from CWA to MSP to PHX on the 17th went smoothly for my daughter. Flights back were a different story! Flight leaving Phoenix was delayed (mechanical problems). Delta put her up overnight in Minneapolis and provided a food voucher. Then the first flight of the day to CWA was cancelled! And she reports that the GA at MSP were surly and not helpful.
She'll have to do it all over again at Christmas, so we hope she had several trips worth of delays and snafus this time.

MSP -> CWA Operated by Pinnacle Dba Delta Connection , there's your answer right there These characters stranded me once on 21 DEC in MSP due to lack of crew. Good luck. Believe it or not, when my Pinnacle flight was canceled the GAs dissapeared!

According to the Rhinelander Airport, new EAS service from RHI to MSP will be initiated 4 January and that carrier will be Skywest. So there is hope at RHI.

MKE-RHI discontinued 1/4/13.