Desperate, Very Newbie Needs Your Help- Please
 

I posted this message on another message board and have gotten no response. I'm thrilled to see that this board is active and I'm hoping that someone here can help me.

Hi! My name is Dianna. My husband, daughter and I relocated to Georgia because we lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. I am now trying to make travel arrangements to get back home for the holidays.

Prior to the hurricane, we traveled out of the Louisiana/Mississippi area only three times- always to Florida, by car. It has been extremely overwhelming to see all of the sites out there offering "deals." Can someone please lend me some direction on where to start or suggestions on articles I can read, what sites are reputable, etc. I have scoped out many, but, like I wrote, it's pretty overwhelming. We are on a very limited budget and are willing to use any means of travel that we can afford (air, tran, bus).

Also, I have tons of other questions since we will now, hopefully, be regular travelers between Atlanta and New Orleans / Gulfport-Biloxi. Is this the appropriate board to post them on?

Thanks so, so much for your help. I look forward to getting to know you all as we begin our lives as frequent travelers.

Dianna

Welcome to FlyerTalk, Mom2SofiaIsabella. I am sorry to hear of your loss as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Thankfully, it seems as though you and your family are healthy, alive and well. That is what is important.

I used to travel frequently between Atlanta and Gulfport/Biloxi, but mostly by car, as airfares usually are not inexpensive. My last trip was to help victims of the aftermath of the hurricane. The only flights between Atlanta and Gulfport/Biloxi are operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines (operating as Delta Connection) and AirTran. Sometimes the fares are as little as US$59.00 each way, before taxes and fees. I do not know if this fits into your budget, but if it does, keep a lookout for these sale fares.

Also look for sale fares into New Orleans, Mobile, and even Pensacola, if you are able to secure ground transportation from any of these airports. I have seen Pensacola fares at times to be less expensive than the other three Gulf Coast airports mentioned.

If you do intend to fly, join the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and the AirTran A+ Rewards frequent flier programs. You will at least earn miles or points towards free flights in the future, and that reduces the overall cost of transportation between Atlanta and the Gulf Coast even more.

I know nothing about train or bus fares between Atlanta and the Gulf Coast, but I would not expect them to be considerably less expensive than air travel.

One other thing that could be considered to be arranged is a “car pool” with anyone else driving down to the Gulf Coast from Atlanta.

When the casinos were open for business, they used to have special package rates which included transportation. These rates were relatively inexpensive. I do not know when the first casino will re-open on the Gulf Coast, but when this happens, look in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper, as there should be special introductory “welcome back” rates.

Anyway, I hope someone else comes up with better suggestions than me. I wish I could have been of more assistance to you. Please post the other questions you have pertaining to traveling between Atlanta and the Gulf Coast so that we may assist you in any way we can.

I am sorry to hear about your loss during the hurricane. I hope you are enjoying Georgia for the time being. Air Tran flies between Atlanta and New Orleans and Gulf Port. They actually have a sale going on now, but do have some black out dates. It might be worth calling the airline to see if they are offering any type of discount to Katrina victims.
Amtrack also goes between the two. From what I could see it is about $58 one way per person.
I hope you can find a deal!!
Julie

Thank you sooooo much......
 

I am "devouring" every piece of advice you have given me. Your ideas are awesome!!!!!!! Delta- Airtran- Amtrak- I will definitely look into, as well as car pooling. I looked on Greyhound earlier and learned that a round trip ticket to New Orleans is almost $250.00--- Yikes!!!!!!!!

I will keep you updated on what types of deals I am able to find. Thanks again so very much for all of your help!!!!!!!! Never in my life could I have imagined how much my world would change in just a few short months. It's great to know that there are people out there who will lend advice to help us get back home to our family.

I would forget Greyhound. You could spend less than US$250.00 on airfare and get to the Gulf Coast more quickly and more comfortably.

I forgot to mention that there is no charge or fee to join the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and the AirTran A+ Rewards frequent flier programs. Simply sign up now by clicking here for Delta Air Lines SkyMiles or clicking here for AirTran A+ Rewards.

Also wanted to point out AirTran currently has a promotion running with Wendy's. You can read all the rules at www.airtran.com
Buy 32 Drinks = FREE 1-Way Ticket For a free one way coach ticket on AirTran Airways, you only need eight (8) A+ Reward credits, or thirty-two (32) proofs of purchase/flight coupons.

Buy 64 Drinks = FREE Round-Trip Ticket
You can earn a free round-trip ticket with just sixteen (16) A+ Rewards credits, or sixty-four (64) proofs of purchase/flight coupons.

Air-wise, it'll be hard to beat sale fares with AirTran (matched by Delta, usually) and booking direct. Also note that Birmingham gets very frequent specials of around $98+ RT out of there because of the WN route.

Duplicate - did not edit!

Hi Dianna -

I don't know when you will be traveling, or exactly to where.

If you would be traveling from Atlanta and New Orleans between November 29 and December 17, Amtrak is offering a "weekly special" fare of $30.90 each way! :D

If your plans include just 1 day in this time frame, you could use this fare one-way, and the "regular" fare the other way. (Example - if your trip is from Dec 15-27, you could use the "weekly special on the way down, and a "regular fare" on the way back.)

Another idea is to check the "Amtrak Guest Rewards" subforum, under "Miles and Points" on FT. At the top, you'll find discount codes that can be used to reduce your Amtrak fare. (Some discount codes are 2 for 1! :D )

Due to extensive damage, there is no Amtrak service between New Orleans and Jacksonville. This service will not resume until next spring - at the earliest.

Sorry for your loss. At least you are safe and sound! :)

Welcome to FT! I wish it was under better circumstances! We on FT will be glad to give you all the help we can! ;)