Cheapest Airfare to Paris?
Feb 17th, 2001, 06:13 PM
#1
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Cheapest Airfare to Paris?
My fiancee and I would REALLY like to go to Paris for our honeymoon in November. We are concerned about the cost of airfare to Paris (we live in New Orleans). In your experiences, was booking a trip through a travel agent less expensive (in regards to airfare and hotel price)? Also, as we are not frequent fliers, we have no idea what a "typical" flight should cost, so we have no idea what a "good price" is, either.
Feb 17th, 2001, 06:26 PM
#2
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Try Icelandair & Northwest/KLM. You should be able to get a really good price that time of year & I wouldn't rely on a TA to find it for you.
Go to several airline web sights & join their program (usually free), they will email their specials to you.
Here is one of the best web sites I have found for cheap airfare.
http://www.travelselect.com/us/econ-travel/index.html
~Icelandair "allows" you to have a layover of up to 3 days in Iceland with no extra air charges. How many people have been to Iceland for their honeymoon? They had a fair that ends or ended this month for 2 people to fly to europe for ~get ready~ $298.00 TOTAL!
Also, KLM flies out of Memphis. Northwest/KLM sends out discount travel certificates in those junk mail coupon packages that includes international rates.
Go to several airline web sights & join their program (usually free), they will email their specials to you.
Here is one of the best web sites I have found for cheap airfare.
http://www.travelselect.com/us/econ-travel/index.html
~Icelandair "allows" you to have a layover of up to 3 days in Iceland with no extra air charges. How many people have been to Iceland for their honeymoon? They had a fair that ends or ended this month for 2 people to fly to europe for ~get ready~ $298.00 TOTAL!
Also, KLM flies out of Memphis. Northwest/KLM sends out discount travel certificates in those junk mail coupon packages that includes international rates.
Feb 18th, 2001, 03:57 AM
#3
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Let me offer you a quick run-through of airfare-buying 101. The length of this answer requires that I post it in two parts. There are three basic ways of buying air travel:
1. The commonest - - buying from a travel agent, over the phone with the airlines, or from such "leading" web sites as www.expedia.com or www.travelocity.com - - any of these will produce you the lowest (if that's what you want, or the most direct, or whatever) "published" air fare. That doesn't mean that this will get you identical answers from all three sources, because air fares can literally change from minute to minute. But this will always be your starting point. You should get on Travelocity and Expedia, unless you absolutely hate doing things for yourself on the internet (but then, why would you have come here?) - - both require that you "register", and both are free. Travelocity has a relatively new feature that lets you see what is the lowest published fare you could get if dates are not an issue (and dates always ARE an issue - - indeed, they are almost everything). The lowest fares of the year are available right now - - for March - - but to your good fortune, November won't be much higher (barring major changes in the world - - war, et cetera). That price is $338 (US Airways) or $348 (everybody else). Note that these prices are excluding taxes which come to about $74 (as of today - - this also fluctuates, based on the exchange rate with the Euro). I arbitrarily plugged in dates of March 14 to 21, and though I couldn't find that rock bottom fare available, it was only off by $10 or so; this happens from time to time. Both Travelocity will send you periodic e-mails to "watch" the rise and fall of any city-pair (like New Orleans-Paris, also known as MSY-CDG or MSY-PAR - - "PAR" stands for "all Paris airports", and you probably already know that MSY is "Moissant Field" - - i.e., New Orleans International airport).
Expedia doesn't have the same "lowest price on any date" feature as Travelocity, but they have recently introduced package pricing "air plus hotel" which might appeal to you. Current package pricing for March 14-21 was about $750 per person. You could do better or you could do worse on hotel pricing. With both Travelocity or Expedia, you can also reserve and actually purchase the tickets, if you wish. There might be minor advantages from purchasing from a travel agent (discounted airport parking or shuttle service) or from the airline, over the phone (maybe some bonus frequent flyer miles).
continued...
1. The commonest - - buying from a travel agent, over the phone with the airlines, or from such "leading" web sites as www.expedia.com or www.travelocity.com - - any of these will produce you the lowest (if that's what you want, or the most direct, or whatever) "published" air fare. That doesn't mean that this will get you identical answers from all three sources, because air fares can literally change from minute to minute. But this will always be your starting point. You should get on Travelocity and Expedia, unless you absolutely hate doing things for yourself on the internet (but then, why would you have come here?) - - both require that you "register", and both are free. Travelocity has a relatively new feature that lets you see what is the lowest published fare you could get if dates are not an issue (and dates always ARE an issue - - indeed, they are almost everything). The lowest fares of the year are available right now - - for March - - but to your good fortune, November won't be much higher (barring major changes in the world - - war, et cetera). That price is $338 (US Airways) or $348 (everybody else). Note that these prices are excluding taxes which come to about $74 (as of today - - this also fluctuates, based on the exchange rate with the Euro). I arbitrarily plugged in dates of March 14 to 21, and though I couldn't find that rock bottom fare available, it was only off by $10 or so; this happens from time to time. Both Travelocity will send you periodic e-mails to "watch" the rise and fall of any city-pair (like New Orleans-Paris, also known as MSY-CDG or MSY-PAR - - "PAR" stands for "all Paris airports", and you probably already know that MSY is "Moissant Field" - - i.e., New Orleans International airport).
Expedia doesn't have the same "lowest price on any date" feature as Travelocity, but they have recently introduced package pricing "air plus hotel" which might appeal to you. Current package pricing for March 14-21 was about $750 per person. You could do better or you could do worse on hotel pricing. With both Travelocity or Expedia, you can also reserve and actually purchase the tickets, if you wish. There might be minor advantages from purchasing from a travel agent (discounted airport parking or shuttle service) or from the airline, over the phone (maybe some bonus frequent flyer miles).
continued...
Feb 18th, 2001, 03:58 AM
#4
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conclusion...
2. Next most likely to be cheaper is directly from the airlines OVER the INTERNET. Almost all airlines are now offering automated purchasing with a modest savings (like 5% off) if you book and buy over their site. They want to acquire your brand loyalty, and they do this with the idea that you might not comparison shop (whether now or in the future). This is a no-lose proposition, if you exhaust method 1 first, then actually book and buy from the cheapest airline this way.
3. Finally, there are "after-market" or consolidator, or web-auction sites. These are the garage sales or clearance stores of air fares. You might find a bargain, or you might screw up and buy a white elephant. I will let others describe these in detail; there are substantial differences between such services as priceline, skyauction, tiss, qixo and so on. If you hear tales of someone getting air travel at prices that sound too good to be true, it will probably be from one of these sources. In theory, the price for MSY-PAR might be found as low as $150-200 on such a source, but the chances are low that you will find such a bargain.
You will likely find the best prices (on any of the three avenues) for November, sometime between June 15 and October 1. I can't predict what you will find, nor when, any better than I can predict the price of tomatoes or a gallon of milk. In all three cases, the "product" is only good to you when you are ready to use it. You may or may not be able to buy ahead, and lock in the lowest price. Of course, a fundamental difference from groceries and airfare is that buying ON the date of use is virtually never the best price.
Best wishes,
Rex
2. Next most likely to be cheaper is directly from the airlines OVER the INTERNET. Almost all airlines are now offering automated purchasing with a modest savings (like 5% off) if you book and buy over their site. They want to acquire your brand loyalty, and they do this with the idea that you might not comparison shop (whether now or in the future). This is a no-lose proposition, if you exhaust method 1 first, then actually book and buy from the cheapest airline this way.
3. Finally, there are "after-market" or consolidator, or web-auction sites. These are the garage sales or clearance stores of air fares. You might find a bargain, or you might screw up and buy a white elephant. I will let others describe these in detail; there are substantial differences between such services as priceline, skyauction, tiss, qixo and so on. If you hear tales of someone getting air travel at prices that sound too good to be true, it will probably be from one of these sources. In theory, the price for MSY-PAR might be found as low as $150-200 on such a source, but the chances are low that you will find such a bargain.
You will likely find the best prices (on any of the three avenues) for November, sometime between June 15 and October 1. I can't predict what you will find, nor when, any better than I can predict the price of tomatoes or a gallon of milk. In all three cases, the "product" is only good to you when you are ready to use it. You may or may not be able to buy ahead, and lock in the lowest price. Of course, a fundamental difference from groceries and airfare is that buying ON the date of use is virtually never the best price.
Best wishes,
Rex
Feb 18th, 2001, 06:56 AM
#6
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Try priceline.com, we got tickets to Paris (a couple of years ago) from D.C. for $220 plus tax. Recently used them for tickets to London at the end of May saved about $200+ per ticket over anything we could find on the net.
The only down side is you might be better off waiting until closer to Nov, say late August or early Sept. which might be a lttle risky for a honeymoon.
Good luck and congratulations!!
The only down side is you might be better off waiting until closer to Nov, say late August or early Sept. which might be a lttle risky for a honeymoon.
Good luck and congratulations!!
Feb 18th, 2001, 07:14 AM
#7
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Jennifer, I agree with Nancy about Icelandair--I've consistently found some of the best fares to Europe through them. The "two for one" fare was indeed $298, but not total--the taxes are extra. Still, a friend and I are flying to Paris from BWI in April on the two for one special for just $242 R/T each.
Unfortunately, though, the closest airport to New Orleans that Icelandair serves, at least with most of these specials, is BWI, so you'd have to get up here, which could cost a quite a bit more. In any case, I'd get on the mailing list for their "lucky fares" by going to www.icelandair.com; also try www.smarterliving.com; you enter where you live and they'll send you regular e-mail newsletters with bargain airfares from your area. Unfortunately, these can often be somewhat last-minute.
I also like flights.com, formerly tiss.com, for good consolidator fares. (You won't be able to even look at November fares there yet, though; they don't get their fall consolidator fares in until the summer, I believe.)
Finally, one great place to keep an eye on for breaking airfare news is the "cheap flights" forum on the discussion boards at www.eurotrip.com. Several of the regular posters there are incredibly well-informed about airfares, and are "fare sale" news hounds.
As far as what a "typical flight" should cost...well, I don't know about flights to Europe from the southern U.S. From here in DC, I would be very reluctant to pay any more than $400 R/T to London or Paris in the off-season (November through March). There are so many bargain airfare options these days that one shouldn't have to pay more unless there are extenuating circumstances (very last-minute planning, need to travel on the most expensive days of the week and can't be flexible, etc.).
Just for fun, I checked March departures (since it's the same general travel season as November) MSY-Paris, and found the lowest fare $398 R/T plus tax on American. Taxes would probably bump you up to $475. (Comparably, they're listing $363 before taxes out of Atlanta, and $334 out of BWI, both on Continental.)
Unfortunately, though, the closest airport to New Orleans that Icelandair serves, at least with most of these specials, is BWI, so you'd have to get up here, which could cost a quite a bit more. In any case, I'd get on the mailing list for their "lucky fares" by going to www.icelandair.com; also try www.smarterliving.com; you enter where you live and they'll send you regular e-mail newsletters with bargain airfares from your area. Unfortunately, these can often be somewhat last-minute.
I also like flights.com, formerly tiss.com, for good consolidator fares. (You won't be able to even look at November fares there yet, though; they don't get their fall consolidator fares in until the summer, I believe.)
Finally, one great place to keep an eye on for breaking airfare news is the "cheap flights" forum on the discussion boards at www.eurotrip.com. Several of the regular posters there are incredibly well-informed about airfares, and are "fare sale" news hounds.
As far as what a "typical flight" should cost...well, I don't know about flights to Europe from the southern U.S. From here in DC, I would be very reluctant to pay any more than $400 R/T to London or Paris in the off-season (November through March). There are so many bargain airfare options these days that one shouldn't have to pay more unless there are extenuating circumstances (very last-minute planning, need to travel on the most expensive days of the week and can't be flexible, etc.).
Just for fun, I checked March departures (since it's the same general travel season as November) MSY-Paris, and found the lowest fare $398 R/T plus tax on American. Taxes would probably bump you up to $475. (Comparably, they're listing $363 before taxes out of Atlanta, and $334 out of BWI, both on Continental.)
Feb 18th, 2001, 07:39 AM
#8
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Airfares bounce all over the place. We'd been waiting for less expensive tickets to Italy mid-May, but they were not showing up yet. I use biztravel.com for all business and personal travel. One thing I like is when you get a quote, you can click on the aircraft type for a specific flight choice and see what seat assignments are still open. (Sometimes the airline holds back some seats, but it is still a good indication.) I found out the USAirways flight from Rome we hoped to take was nearly sold out, with few "two together, one on the aisle" choices left. So I bit the bullet at a $750pp fare. I expect next week they'll announce a $399 special, since May is a shoulder season, but this is our 25th anniversary -- and like a honeymoon -- there is some cost I don't mind risking just to avoid the stress of not being certain about the transportation part of the trip! Good luck planning your honeymoon. I'd suggest you watch Air France's web site for specials. (It is a good flight, with great food and nice service) You'll probably have to connect through NYC or DC anyway. Sign up for all the frequent flyer programs (Continental, USAirways, United, Air France, British Air, etc) and let them email you when they have specials to announce.
Feb 18th, 2001, 12:49 PM
#10
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While no airline expert, I have been researching two trips. One to Italy and the second to Paris. Be aware, if it is a popular desination, there is no longer a "shoulder" season. March 31 in Paris and March 10 or 15th to Venice is the last of the cheap fares. Then Paris about Nov 1st (rainy) and Venice about Nov 15th (during agua alta (sp?)). Do you really want to be there then?
I flew to Ireland last August 1st. Made my reservations months earlier and checked the boards and internet sites constantly until I left. The fare never went below $700. They know when they have you!
I flew to Ireland last August 1st. Made my reservations months earlier and checked the boards and internet sites constantly until I left. The fare never went below $700. They know when they have you!
Feb 27th, 2001, 04:03 AM
#12
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to the top for Joe in San Diego...
Postscript: If this forum had an easier way to locate and direct readers to a specific (previous) posting by a unique identifier (timestamp), it would not be necessary to top (and repeat) information so tediously. This is my new crusade, and I am thinking about adding this postscript (when applicable) to every new reply I make here. If you agree with me, then please write to Danny Mangin or David Downing - - [email protected] - - and encourage them to move forward with this improvement (and any others they have up their sleeves) to this best-on-the-web travel forum!
Postscript: If this forum had an easier way to locate and direct readers to a specific (previous) posting by a unique identifier (timestamp), it would not be necessary to top (and repeat) information so tediously. This is my new crusade, and I am thinking about adding this postscript (when applicable) to every new reply I make here. If you agree with me, then please write to Danny Mangin or David Downing - - [email protected] - - and encourage them to move forward with this improvement (and any others they have up their sleeves) to this best-on-the-web travel forum!
Feb 28th, 2001, 10:06 AM
#14
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Just saw the additional question re biztravel.com when this got bumped to the top -- I ask for the "express itinerary". When the choices appear on my screen (for example, Air France Flight 28, for what ever date you've picked), click on the aircraft (such as, Boeing 747)and voila, a diagram with the seat choices shows up.
You can't make the choice until you buy the ticket -- but in my case I noticed there wasn't much to choose from so I went ahead and bought the tickets.
You can't make the choice until you buy the ticket -- but in my case I noticed there wasn't much to choose from so I went ahead and bought the tickets.
Feb 28th, 2001, 10:16 AM
#15
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My fiancee and I would like to go to Rome for our honeymoon. I have checked
the cost of the airfare from Philadelphia and it makes me worry that
we won't be able to afford it. Do you think if we book through the travel agent, we might get a better deal because they have air/hotel packages? My sister flew to Rome last June for 700 dollars so I don't really understand why the flight costs have increased by so much. I even tried to book a flight to London and then go to Rome via EasyJet but even the flight to London is 800 dollars?
the cost of the airfare from Philadelphia and it makes me worry that
we won't be able to afford it. Do you think if we book through the travel agent, we might get a better deal because they have air/hotel packages? My sister flew to Rome last June for 700 dollars so I don't really understand why the flight costs have increased by so much. I even tried to book a flight to London and then go to Rome via EasyJet but even the flight to London is 800 dollars?
Feb 28th, 2001, 10:36 AM
#16
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Igor, you will have to call a travel agent and see if they can get you a package deal. Check USAirways Vacation specials on their website. Depends on when you are going. I was surprised that we had to spend $750 for our DC-Rome tickets in May, but I've still not seen any less expensive. The best deal I ever got was when I was less nailed down on a destination -- I asked someone at Faredeals (1-800-347-7006) to get find me tickets for less than $500 to Paris, Rome, Madrid or London. We ended up on Air France for $399. They also found us a delightful hotel. (But I've since found that hotels are pretty easy to arrange for yourself!)
Feb 28th, 2001, 10:38 AM
#17
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Jennifer-your best bet is to take Delta from New Orleans to Atlanta where there are several nonstop flights daily(between Delta and their codeshare Air France) OR fly to Dallas on American and take their nonstop to Paris.If you keep checking the websites for Delta and American in the upcoming months,you will start to see some patterns/prices,etc. The other choices of flying to DC,New York,etc. start jacking up your ticket prices.
I agree with the other posters that there is alot of money to be saved if you are willing to research,network,etc. instead of using a travel agent. Sometimes you will see in the Sunday travel sections of your paper some combo deals(airfare/hotels) with the different airlines. These can been great prices with an introductory tour,hotel,etc. of the city and then you just add on extra days for your own enjoyment.Have a great time!
I agree with the other posters that there is alot of money to be saved if you are willing to research,network,etc. instead of using a travel agent. Sometimes you will see in the Sunday travel sections of your paper some combo deals(airfare/hotels) with the different airlines. These can been great prices with an introductory tour,hotel,etc. of the city and then you just add on extra days for your own enjoyment.Have a great time!
Feb 28th, 2001, 10:59 AM
#18
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While we did get tickets to London through cheaptickets.com, we have had better success working through a consolidator, [email protected] Both were on USAir, RT Las Vegas/Paris in March $500, LV-Amsterdam/Paris-LV in May $750, including taxes. Igor, send him an e-mail at above address--all it will cost is a few minutes.
Feb 28th, 2001, 04:59 PM
#19
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November is a great time for a great fare to Paris and you should easily be able to get the job done for $500 per person or less. Sign up for Travelocity's fare watcher e-mail service, as well as directly with carriers you are likely to take that offer promotional e-mail service (Icelandair has relentless specials, but I believe you would need to pick them up in Orlando; Northwest has an excellent promotional e-mail service). Then just hang tough and wait. Your fare will probably show up in September or so. It will be there. Don't panic and pay too much too early!
Feb 28th, 2001, 06:36 PM
#20
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Try Council Travel they primarily deal with student foreign air travel, but will sell to anyone. We are neither students or teachers and are flying United from Chicago to London then Paris back to Chicago for $325 r/t.
www.counciltravel.com
800.226.8624
You must be patient when trying to book. We did all our research on their website and then called to book with cust. srvc...we were on hold for almost 45 mins - but it was well worth it! I would book with them again in a minute. We then found a great hotel package that included both cities and the chunnel from our travel agent.
www.counciltravel.com
800.226.8624
You must be patient when trying to book. We did all our research on their website and then called to book with cust. srvc...we were on hold for almost 45 mins - but it was well worth it! I would book with them again in a minute. We then found a great hotel package that included both cities and the chunnel from our travel agent.
