brotherleelove2004

Helen63-

One of the pitfalls of those "secret" fares is that you might get stuck with an extremely long layover somewhere along the way. If it's worth the risk to you and if you believe the fare is a good one, go for it.

P.S. I just checked with www.orbitz.com for Sept. 7 returning Sept 23, Chicago-Athens, and the price is $842 including all taxes and fees. Expedia offered $719 if purchased today and $836 as a normal fare. Layovers were minimum.

WillTravel

Depending on the information provided, you can often get a strong hint as to what flight it actually is. I would write to Expedia, though, and ask what the maximum guaranteed layover time is.

MichiganSt_grl

Helen..

From past experience - thats a good price. I've always tried to book my flights quite in advance in order to get a decent price and thats one of the cheapest "connecting" flights that I've seen in recent years.

In the past I've had to pay usually around $900.00 atleast for a connecting flight - but it can easily be much more expensive than that.

- when my parents flew out to see me while I was in Greece (when I was studying there) the cheapest they could get was $1300 apiece - which was too much for them so they ended up picking up 2 flights - one to London then one to Athens for a total of $1000.00. I've also done this at times since picking up 2 flights was much cheaper than the connecting flight.

Layovers are usually not so bad. If you can find a connecting flight off expedia in that price range then I would grab it - as they usually don't have too long of a layover (usually just 2-4 hrs at the most) and since Heathrow is a large airport 4 hrs isn't too long.

MichiganSt_grl

..oh and instead of getting a 'bargin fare' I would try to steer clear of those and instead try to get a "normal fare" (as brother... noted that some were available for a decent price above)

- although you may save a couple of bucks as others noted you may end up getting screwed - either with crappy flight times or long layovers ..

(btw.. i've always flown on BA)

Matrexx

Next question is which airline would you take?

I've flown Air Canada, Alitalia and Lufthansa before, both of which were very comfortable, good food and service. I've also flown charter (AirTransat, Canada 3000, Sterling), which was also fine by me.

Is Delta comparable to other mainstream carriers (ie non-charters)?

helen63

Thank you very much for all replies. Currently, there is Swiss Air flight from Chicago for about $836 for my September dates, so I guess I'll grab it
Helen

helen63

For anyone interested, I just would like to share that I just purchased tickets from Chicago to Athens leaving on September, 3 and coming back on September, 15 for $684. It is from Expedia.com, and it is a combination of Air India and Luftganza. Air India flight to Frankfurt, a few hours layover, and then a Luftganza flight to Athens. I know that Air India is not the best, but the price is right.
Helen

Matrexx

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for all your help. This weekend we went out to the Danforth (Greek area of town) to talk to the Greece travel experts. Turns out that they weren't able to find us anything better. The best she could do direct was leaving a day later (loosing us a tourist day) and was for CAD$1466 (including all surcharges and taxes).

On out own we were able to find a charter to London for $716 and then Easy jet for ~$300. Total was $1016. But there was changing airports in London and we'd have to leave a day early from Athens to catch the London - TOronto flight.

In the end we got the Delta flight through JFK for CAD$1290 (bought direct from Delta). Not the exactly what we were hoping to pay, but it gets us there with less fuss than the charter flight/ EasyJet combo. This became a serious factor given it's my boyfriend's first time to Europe and he gets gastrointestinal distress from travelling long distances.

Anyway, just wanted to share the outcome of all the searching. Now just keep your fingers crossed that my boss approves my vacation time as the Delta fare is non-refundable!

Bern_Lor

We are travelling to Greece in Sept. and I researched several alternatives before booking with BA for $1072 CDN (plus taxes it came to $2601.50 for two tickets). I'm glad to hear that this is a "reasonable" rate, although more than we budgeted for as well. I ended up booking through Butte travel in Edmonton, found on www.flyforless.ca There were some slightly less expensive fares on less well known airlines but I went with BA through Heathrow, seemed like the most reliable route and airline. Enjoy your trip!

Intrepid1

Matrexx, I am certain you made the right decision (and hopefully your boss will agree). Sometimes it is more than "worth it" to pay more for convenience and freedom from hassles as well as the extra time and peace of mind that comes with it.

You tried your best and you found the best thing..for you..and that's what matters the most.

Enjoy Greece...they don't say it was, "Chosen by the Gods" for nothing.