Learned a lesson, the easy way
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: MSP //Formerly ABE, SCE, PDX//
Programs: former NW Plat & HH Diamond, NA Executive Elite - now just a DL Gold sitting in the back of the plan
Posts: 294
Learned a lesson, the easy way
So I learned a lesson today. Fortunately, it wasn't the hard which is the norm. The lesson? Always check other sources ...
So here's the deal ... I learned today that tomorrow I need to fly from PDX to CLT, then on Thursday go from CLT to ALB, then return from ALB to PDX on Friday, getting back to PDX before my fiance does, who is visiting this weekend from MSP.
So I did a quick search on travelocity and orbitz, and the best fares that came up were a little over $1900 (minus the taxes of course). Well, it's a business trip, so its not like it matters that much, but I'm always trying to save my client a penny when I can. So I put a similar search through on nwa and it spit out a fare of $1850, which had a indicating a promo fare. Cool! Then, for kicks, I called NW Reservations, and she repeated the same search, came up with the exact same routes, and she quoted me at $1802!!! Booked right then and there with her. The best part of the deal? I'm on the same flight as my fiance from MSP to PDX.
Remember: regardless of your preferred metal, always check multiple sources, you just never know.
So here's the deal ... I learned today that tomorrow I need to fly from PDX to CLT, then on Thursday go from CLT to ALB, then return from ALB to PDX on Friday, getting back to PDX before my fiance does, who is visiting this weekend from MSP.
So I did a quick search on travelocity and orbitz, and the best fares that came up were a little over $1900 (minus the taxes of course). Well, it's a business trip, so its not like it matters that much, but I'm always trying to save my client a penny when I can. So I put a similar search through on nwa and it spit out a fare of $1850, which had a indicating a promo fare. Cool! Then, for kicks, I called NW Reservations, and she repeated the same search, came up with the exact same routes, and she quoted me at $1802!!! Booked right then and there with her. The best part of the deal? I'm on the same flight as my fiance from MSP to PDX.
Remember: regardless of your preferred metal, always check multiple sources, you just never know.
#4
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Always makes sense to check more than one source, particularly if you're looking for a sale fare. I checked London fares in September for a friend that wants to vacation over there, and found fares in the low $700 range which sounded decent. I went to the AA site to see what was offered there, and the cheapest fare was over $5,000RT. It's not always the best site to check for sales.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: York, UK
Programs: KLM Gold Elite (You can guess how long ago I lost this status!), LH Senator
Posts: 247
I agree with the above. I always fly UK to YVR during my February Break to ski for a week. I start checking fares around about june/july time and find fares vary from 260 to 600 pounds for a restricted economy ticket.
Keep checking from as early as possible, know what you would expect to pay and when it gets close snap it up.
Keep checking from as early as possible, know what you would expect to pay and when it gets close snap it up.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,236
There have been quite a few threads about this. My own experience was a fare of $1,046 BOS-SIN on NW I found on Expedia a couple of years back. The best AA, my preferred airline, could do was $4,100. The best NW itself could do, either on the Web or by phone call when given the exact itinerary, was over $3,000. By the time I got back to Expedia to book the ticket it had gone to $1,246, but I took it anyway.
Anyone who looks for logic in air fare pricing is in for a long day.
Anyone who looks for logic in air fare pricing is in for a long day.