sunshine

Hi: We'll be flying into MN from San Diego on Sun Country Airlines in early July. How soon do we need to book the flight, hotel & rental car? I can't believe how much the flight is. We paid less when we flew to Maui last year. We haven't figured out yet if it's best to book the flight, car, hotel separately or through a package. Any suggestions on where to stay would be appreciated; hopefully in the Shakopee area. Thanks in advance.

knute

I recently booked the opposite--MSP to San Diego. I waited months for airfare to drop, only to see all the seats fill up, so I had to book on Northwest at another ridiculous fare. Travel "experts" here say the fares are here to stay.

TheWeasel

Sun Country has limited flights to most destinations - I'm guessing maybe two a day at most from San Diego to MSP. If you haven't booked already, I highly doubt the price is going to drop.

I'd check into package deals. Price the individual components separately first, and then compare to the package price. Are you limited to flying Sun Country for some reason? If not, you'll have a better chance of finding something cheaper and at more convenient times.

Cali

I would book the airfare, car and hotel now. We fly to Mpls. very often and the flights do get filled quickly (especially in the summer) and we also find we sometimes have trouble getting the hotel we want or the car we want. There are lots of people who go to MN in the summer. If you are unsure of the hotels and car rental now, still do the airfare as I don't think it will go down. Early July is not that far away. Have fun!!

sunshine

Thanks guys. From San Diego, our choice of direct flights is either with Sun Country or Northwest. Sun Country is a little bit cheaper. I guess we'll be busy this weekend booking the flight and/or hotel and car rental. If anyone can recommend a decent hotel, please post. Thanks again.

wantsomesun

I'd suggest calling the airlines that service MN and asking what the lowest fare is between the 2 cities and how you qualify for that fare.

Also check out the travel sites like www.hotel.com, www.orbitz.com, www.expedia.com and other travel agency sites and even a local travel agency so you can compare prices. Often travel agencies can come up with package deals that are better than booking directly yourself.

Cali

I have not stayed in the Shakopee Area so maybe someone else can help you but we do stay in Eden Prairie and Bloomington and if you are interested in those areas I would be happy to give you some ideas there. We have also used Priceline in those areas and gotten some great deals. Don't know what is available in Shakopee tho so hope others will give you some ideas. Are you planning to stay in Shakopee to visit family/friends? If not, you might want to try the Bloomington/Mall of America and Eden Prairie Areas as think there are more choices.

sunshine

Cali, yes the trip is to visit my husband's family. I'd love recommendations for places to stay in Eden Prairie & Bloomington too. Thanks to everyone who posted.

Cali

We frequently stay at Hotel Softiel in Bloomington and always enjoy staying there. Their restaurants are very good for hotel restaurants too. Have heard they have had great rates on priceline recently but I have not used Priceline for Mpls. for a while so don't know if this is just right now or if it is for a while. We also like the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomington. On several trips we needed a suite type room in the Eden Prairie Area and stayed at Springhill Suites and liked it very much too. The staff was very accomodating and it is close to the Eden Prairie Mall and lots of restaurants as well as cub foods. WE like Country Inn and Suites and Embassy Suites in Bloomington near Mall of America. We have also stayed at Holiday Inn Select and have liked that. A note if you use Priceline: I would not bid below a 3* in MOA Area as you might get the Holiday Inn on 94th on 35 W. if you bid 2-1/2*. Some people like it but it is not my favorite. Not near anything and kind of a Commercial Area. I am also not crazy about the Marriott near MOA. Just seems we were always given a back room about 2 miles from the front desk and ice machines, etc. And we didn't book this on Pricleine. Oh, another one I forgot but we like is Staybridge Suites in Bloomington near the Hilton Garden Inn on I-494 & Hwy 100. There is also a Country Inn and Suites near this location but we have not stayed there. When we stay downtown, we like the Marquette Hotel and Radisson Plaza so we are right downtown Mpls. and right on the Nicollet Mall. The other hotel we like but it is farther down the mall is The Millenium. Hope this helps. Have a great trip.

Gretchen

Have you looked on Hotwire or Priceline?

PamT

I bid on priceline for a downtown Minneapolis hotel back in March and got the Hyatt. Very nice hotel right on the Nicollet Mall and within walking distance to many restaurants and of course shopping. I think I got it for $58 including all taxes and fees. Then we paid the $18.50 for parking as well. Still a great price for a very nice hotel. Pam

kakalena

I've had trouble booking into MSP too. There is very little competition with non-stop service into the Twin Cities and when you try to go through the hub of Chicago (especially on weekends) you can be shut out by shoppers taking daytrips to the Mall of America. I tried to get an earlier flight once and ended up taking my original reservation because the flights were so full.

AuntAnnie

Northwest Airlines is holding our fair state hostage. We pay more to fly out of here, too. Our tax $$ went to corporate bailouts after 9/11 and it just goes on...

tracys2cents

Book early this summer. The airlines are following the gasoline companies lead. They are creating a false under-supply situation in order to gradually raise the price of airline tickets. This summer there just aren't as many flights as last summer. Seats are at a premium and people will soon get used to higher prices, the airlines hope that these higher prices will become the accepted norm and then people will be willing to continue to pay them next year when they start to fly more planes again.

Oh, and the fuel prices don't help things either.

Well, it worked for Mobil and Exxon, right? Doesn't $1.99 a gallon sound pretty good right now, when just a year and a half ago it was outrageous? Unfortunately, pretty soon $400 airfares cross country are gonna sound good. ouch