Give me encouragement to push the purchase button on Expedia.com
May 5th, 2006, 07:41 AM
#22
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Swissmissy—sounds like you had a wonderful experience. My daughter is already talking about moving to Italy, and she’s never even been there.
Sue is right—from Des Moines, I had to pay $3,008 for 2 tickets (got to skip Burundi though)
Sue is right—from Des Moines, I had to pay $3,008 for 2 tickets (got to skip Burundi though)
May 5th, 2006, 07:53 AM
#23
Hi,
Sounds like a fair price. We went to Munich from N.J. last Sept. and paid $600 each R/T but that was before fuel prices went out of control! We've been checking prices for this coming Oct. and the best we've found is $700 R/T.
By the way, last year we went through the Air France website.
paul
Sounds like a fair price. We went to Munich from N.J. last Sept. and paid $600 each R/T but that was before fuel prices went out of control! We've been checking prices for this coming Oct. and the best we've found is $700 R/T.
By the way, last year we went through the Air France website.
paul
May 5th, 2006, 08:55 AM
#24
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natin--seems a bit high from New York, though the open jaw could account for some of that. But with the world oil situation, who knows? In the past, I'd be looking for September deals in June or July, but now...?
May 5th, 2006, 11:21 AM
#25
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Maire,
Our daughter just finished a semester in Siena; we spent two weeks with her last month, AND brought home her suitcases since she is now doing the backpack thing for several weeks before returning home. She absolutely loved Italy, spoke fondly of a weekend in Perugia - your child is going have such a wonderful experience.
Our daughter just finished a semester in Siena; we spent two weeks with her last month, AND brought home her suitcases since she is now doing the backpack thing for several weeks before returning home. She absolutely loved Italy, spoke fondly of a weekend in Perugia - your child is going have such a wonderful experience.
May 6th, 2006, 02:31 AM
#27
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Maire,
Yes, our children loved their study abroad experiences, especially our son who did his school's Greco/Roman program. They spent half the semester in Athens and half in Rome. Then he and friends did a month of traveling. I don't live in Iowa but our daughter did her undergrad at UI. Your daugther and you will LOVE Italy!
Yes, our children loved their study abroad experiences, especially our son who did his school's Greco/Roman program. They spent half the semester in Athens and half in Rome. Then he and friends did a month of traveling. I don't live in Iowa but our daughter did her undergrad at UI. Your daugther and you will LOVE Italy!
May 6th, 2006, 07:59 AM
#28
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Thanks rbnwdln. I'm glad your kids had such good experiences. Good timing to hear that we will love Italy. I'm so tired of figuring out these arrangements, was beginning to wonder if it's worth it. But, I know it will be 
May 6th, 2006, 08:11 AM
#29
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I am convinced that Cheap Tickets, Expedia, et al have the occasional real bargain so the word will get around and so you will believe you can just use them all the time and not bother with shopping. About half the time, though diligent and continuous shopping, I've found fares $150-250 less than anywhere else or on the airline's website. Last year, it was Cheaptickets on Air France.
So, when you see one of those bargains for your dates to your destination you have to know to grab it.
So, when you see one of those bargains for your dates to your destination you have to know to grab it.
May 6th, 2006, 09:01 AM
#30
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Buying air tickets is a balancing act. It is more difficult now because there are fewer planes flying and more people flying and the cost of oil has more than tripled over the last two years. June through September is also high season for Europe and I think the World cup is keeping prices to Germany high in June and July. This also seems to include fares of Lufthanza and United which normally go through FRA and MUC.
I have been looking at multiple air booking sites including Consolidators for months with little luck for our upcoming trip from SFO to Eastern Europe in June.
Flights to VIE, PRG, and BUD and MUC have been $1500+. CDG, MXP and VCE have not been much better for flights that do not have poor conections and about $1300.
Switzerland with ZRH and GVA have been in the low $1000s as has LHR and LGW in London. Finally I found $750 RT flights to LHR from SFO via LAX and $800 direct flights on the AARP travel booking site this week. Some flights were as low as $668 RT for flights with all taxes etc. These prices than disappeared while I discussed our options with my family than reappeared the next morning when I booked them. These fares are $300 cheaper per ticket than any I could find anywhere else and about $400 cheaper than any flights to Switzerland which would be closer to our final destinations.
This difference in cost is significant when you are buying 4 tickets. I could have waited to see if decent fares to the Continent might open up as we get closer to 3 weeks prior to departure but I need to make all my other plans including connecting flights and hotels/apartments and this takes alot of time and it is high season. The fares might also go up. So in summary ( a long winded one) buy the tickets when they become reasonable to you if you have some idea as to the range of costs of your fares from your origin to your destinations during the times you are traveling. I
I have been looking at multiple air booking sites including Consolidators for months with little luck for our upcoming trip from SFO to Eastern Europe in June.
Flights to VIE, PRG, and BUD and MUC have been $1500+. CDG, MXP and VCE have not been much better for flights that do not have poor conections and about $1300.
Switzerland with ZRH and GVA have been in the low $1000s as has LHR and LGW in London. Finally I found $750 RT flights to LHR from SFO via LAX and $800 direct flights on the AARP travel booking site this week. Some flights were as low as $668 RT for flights with all taxes etc. These prices than disappeared while I discussed our options with my family than reappeared the next morning when I booked them. These fares are $300 cheaper per ticket than any I could find anywhere else and about $400 cheaper than any flights to Switzerland which would be closer to our final destinations.
This difference in cost is significant when you are buying 4 tickets. I could have waited to see if decent fares to the Continent might open up as we get closer to 3 weeks prior to departure but I need to make all my other plans including connecting flights and hotels/apartments and this takes alot of time and it is high season. The fares might also go up. So in summary ( a long winded one) buy the tickets when they become reasonable to you if you have some idea as to the range of costs of your fares from your origin to your destinations during the times you are traveling. I
