Hello,

Due to another (sigh) death in the family I need to get my wife from Pittsburgh to El Paso, pronto. I'm USAirways Chairman's Preferred (USAirways doesnt fly there) and American Platinum (American does, but I don't have enough miles). My wife is USAirways' Gold Preferred. She would like to leave tomorrow (Fri) or Sat, and return on Tuesday.

It would be nice to be able to use my half million US miles for the AA trip but that requires at least 3 days advance notice so that's out. I haven't called around for bereavement fares yet (do you have to call each airline directly?) as I know that's not going to be cheap since the Y fare is $1500 or so.

So far I've constructed this iterinary: use the esaver PIT-PHX R/T for $270, and then add a Southwest PHX-ELP R/T inside for $200. Total of under $500. Not bad, but my wife doesn't like nesting the trips. Anyone got any ideas to do better?

I'm just starting my search now so I still have to go through all the various search engines and a few travel agencies I know. Any tips are appreciated either posted here or to [email protected]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss pitflyer. I understand the urgency to try to find the cheapest fare, as I was in a similar situation last year.

It sounds like price is a deciding factor for you, so I checked out Hotwire. Fri-Tues was outrageously expensive ($1591), but Sat-Tues was much less. By selecting 0-1 connection, jet, and no to off-peak, the fare quoted was $583.00. Changing to max. 2 connections, and jet or propeller option, the fare lowered to $480.

I realize that Hotwire doesn't top the list of options for you (i.e. not knowing flight times or carrier), but thought that I would share the option anyway. Priceline might also save you $$$ (especially with the $50 bonus money link on Sheryl's board). Best of luck in finding a reasonable ticket on such short notice.

Free US tkt on US RT PIT-IAH...or buy this weeks e-fare RT of $ 189.00(PIT-IAH).

Then CO e-fare of $29.00 plus 12,500 CO miles
or buy this portion for $ 139.00(IAH-ELP).

So your options include:

1. free US plus $ 29.00 = $29 total(plus the $40 US expedite fee).

2.Buy US plus the $ 29.00 = $ 218.00.

3.Or buy both = $328.00

Any freebie available seats on CO for 20,000? (pitflyer has 20K on CO).Call CO at 800-621-7467 to find out!

Hope this helps!



[This message has been edited by tvl4free (edited 01-18-2001).]

tvl4free -- guess I was on the right track, trying to combine e-savers.. Thanks for the heads up. I found a good itinerary at a reasonable price -- just gotta make sure the times are good for my wife.

Thanks again! I also noticed hotwire was a lot cheaper Sat-Tue so I used that as my marker (ie around $500) to gauge other deals. If the timing works out I know I can't beat tvl4free's combinations.

tvl4free; Thanks, it did all work out. I just went and bought both tickets (since then my wife could upgrade on the USAirways part and get miles on a good deal through Continental).

Thanks!!!!!