hiho322

We're planning to fly mid-June NYC to SXM and we're not seeing any fluctuation in airfare throughout the year. Has anyone flown in June and are there typically sales? Every airline is charging the same price, which seems ridiculous. Also, we're trying to use Continental miles for one seat and though we can use them going, there's nothing offered after the 2nd week of June for the return trip. Does anyone know if and when they typically open up?

Thanks so much!

doug_stallings

There may be sales, but airfares this year are pretty high in general. You might also find a better deal through an air/hotel package.

I'm sorry, but I have no advice whatsover regarding use of miles, but if you are looking for a seat on another airline, Jetblue prices their flights in a more equitable manner (though they can still be expensive ... so I can't guarantee a bargain).

hiho322

Thanks, but an air/hotel package won't work because we're very particular about where we want to stay, and it's a residence hotel, so nothing fancy and no special deals attached to it. Right now, flights to Europe are dirt cheap, so I'm hoping that maybe we're looking for airfare just a tad early. I'm also praying that the problems in the Middle East right now won't impact oil prices and thus airfares.

doug_stallings

You should expect to see fuel surcharges within the next 30 to 60 days. I'm afraid it's just going to be a fact of life. If the situation in Libya stabilizes, they may go away by the end of the summer, but I've been reading that the airlines didn't hedge properly for the cost of fuel, so this is going to be a problem for the summer and early fall.

Funny, I'm not seeing "dirt cheap" airfares to anywhere in Europe except in a few last-minute deals. Rates in early summer (May and June) are actually extraordinarily high.

Dukey1

Why do you think the fact that every airline charges the same price is "ridiculous?" THAT'S the way it works in ANY airfare market

blamona

Airfares to the Caribbean haven't really lowered much in the last year--I have found very few sales. I have found they've condensed flights and they always seem to be full, especially in the Caribbean since it's the "it" place to go now.

Most people (including myself) tend to have the mentality of, "if it's a shorter distance (Caribbean), then why does it cost more than to longer distances (Europe)." Unfortunately it has more to do with supply and demand instead of distance. Last summer I didn't see much difference in airline prices to most places in Caribbean except they were much higher Christmas/New Years.

There might be a sale, but chances are with increases in oil the prices are only going to get higher. If you can get $500-$600 per person, then that's pretty reasonable to St. Martin.

Most sales seem to appear where the "masses" of tourists go--Dominican Republic, Mexico, for example.

As for cashing in points, every year they get harder and harder to do. I doubt they will release any more point seats if you're talking about June, meaning you'll just have to use different dates.

DavidSXM

It is NOT true - as suggested - that "every airline charges the same price".

For example you can check the CURRENT return fares from JFK to SXM using American Airlines website, and you will find that the cheapest fare quoted for departure on March 1st with return on March 31st is $698 including tax.

Check the same dates with Continental from Newark (EWR) and you will find a price today, including tax, of $714, but only yesterday the same flight was $613 including tax !

It pays to be flexible with dates, and to do your homework.

DavidSXM

It is NOT true - as suggested - that "every airline charges the same price".

For example you can check the CURRENT return fares from JFK to SXM using American Airlines website, and you will find that the cheapest fare quoted for departure on March 1st with return on March 31st is $698 including tax.

Check the same dates with Continental from Newark (EWR) and you will find a price today, including tax, of $714, but only yesterday the same flight was $613 including tax !

It pays to be flexible with dates, and to do your homework.

DavidSXM

It is NOT true - as suggested - that "every airline charges the same price".

For example you can check the CURRENT return fares from JFK to SXM using American Airlines website, and you will find that the cheapest fare quoted for departure on March 1st with return on March 31st is $698 including tax.

Check the same dates with Continental from Newark (EWR) and you will find a price today, including tax, of $714, but only yesterday the same flight was $613 including tax !

It pays to be flexible with dates, and to do your homework.

DavidSXM

I have just checked Jet Blue's return fare from JFK for the same dates, and it is $824 including tax !

Who is spreading the story that "all airlines charge the same" ?

hiho322

This is not looking good...

DavidSXM

Remember that we are now at the height of the season, and also the Heiniken Regatta (one of the big annual events) takes place next week.

The fares in mid June may well be lower, as the 'season' will have drawn to a close by then.

hiho322

@DavidSXM: from your mouth to God's ears

DavidSXM

hiho322

For your information, a friend of mine has just booked a return flight to SXM with Continental, non stop out of Newark, leaving on June 15th, returning on June 29th. The fare (including taxes) was $593.95 for the round trip.

hiho322

Thanks, David, just booked our flight on Jet Blue today for $470/pp including taxes! And using Chase Sapphire points, it's $222/pp RT total, so we did really well.