Puerto Rico or bust - cheap flights?
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:22 AM
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Puerto Rico or bust - cheap flights?
My husband and I would like to spend the Christmas holidays in Puerto Rico. Where can we find the best airfare from Philly, and how far in advance should we book? I know we can find cheaper fares out of NY/Newark, but would prefer to find the best deal we can out of Philly. Is our best bet dealing w/US Air directly, or through a site like Travelocity? Since it's also the high season to PR, am I insane for thinking we can find a reasonable fare even if we start looking now?
Jul 5th, 2006, 12:14 PM
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No one can predict what airline fares will be for next December with anymore accuracy than they can tell you if it will snow on Christmas. Your best bet is to start checking the airline and travel websites for prices regularily starting now so you can get some idea of what the general range of airfares are from Philly and/or NY/Newark (if you decide the savings is worth the trip to those airports. The prices will fluxuate between now and December. When you see a price for your planned dates of travel that you feel is a bargain do hesitate - that's when you should book your flight because the fare will probably change quickly.
As you already surmised fares for travelling around the Christmas Holidays are likely to be higher than non-holiday travel dates, but just how much different can only be determined by doing the research. You can often save money by having flexible travel dates (leaving a few days earlier and coming back a few days later than the "regular holiday crowds). Consider travelling on Christmas day, it's traditionally a light travel day and sometimes airlines offer lower fares for travel on that day. Since Christmas this year is on a Monday you may find higher fares on r/t flights that originate on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and slightly lower fares for flights starting on the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday before Christmas.
As you already surmised fares for travelling around the Christmas Holidays are likely to be higher than non-holiday travel dates, but just how much different can only be determined by doing the research. You can often save money by having flexible travel dates (leaving a few days earlier and coming back a few days later than the "regular holiday crowds). Consider travelling on Christmas day, it's traditionally a light travel day and sometimes airlines offer lower fares for travel on that day. Since Christmas this year is on a Monday you may find higher fares on r/t flights that originate on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and slightly lower fares for flights starting on the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday before Christmas.
Aug 1st, 2006, 01:07 PM
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Trying to find reasonable fares myself from Orlando to San Juan and the fares are ridiculous! It's only a 4 hour flight... and some want to route me thru Atlanta or Charlotte - what is up with that?!? Anyway, I'm still waiting for Jet Blue to post their fares for the rest of January, but if I don't find more reasonable fares, we may be cancelling our trip!
TinaLee (who remembers the old days when you could fly from MCO to SJU for $89 each way in January) Big Sigh
TinaLee (who remembers the old days when you could fly from MCO to SJU for $89 each way in January) Big Sigh
Aug 2nd, 2006, 11:30 AM
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GoTravel: I just checked on airfare from ATL (Atlanta,GA) to St. Thomas and it's coming at $360 through October and that's a nice direct flight. Try Travelocity. Citydweller: I've always had good luck on Travelocity and they now have a "Farechase" tool which will track down all the competitive sources for the flights you are seeking. Unfortunately, anything under $500 from the East Coast to the Caribbean is reasonable these days due to fuel costs. Not too long ago, we were able to fly from Connecticut to St. Thomas for less than $400.
