Airfare to CR, best time to buy?
Sep 9th, 2007, 04:00 PM
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Airfare to CR, best time to buy?
We have a trip planned to CR in mid Feb. 2008. I'm playing the waiting game on airfares now. Any input as to when the best time to buy our airline tickets ? The best I can find is $665.00 out of Minneapolis,
Do you think they could get better or should I jump on it? How far out is the best time to buy? Any input is appreciated.
Thanks!
Do you think they could get better or should I jump on it? How far out is the best time to buy? Any input is appreciated.
Thanks!
Sep 10th, 2007, 09:57 AM
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I'm going from KC about the same time. The best I have seen (with less attractive schedules than I wanted) is just under $600.
So I've decided to use frequent flyer miles. With Ameircan, it is 30,000 miles to sit in the back, plus a ~$30 fee.
Keith
So I've decided to use frequent flyer miles. With Ameircan, it is 30,000 miles to sit in the back, plus a ~$30 fee.
Keith
Sep 10th, 2007, 11:03 AM
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Yes, check TACA and also AA and CO out of/through EWR. I've heard of some really good fares from EWR. We looked for several months before our trip to CR this past month and the best we could get (out of IAH) was $500pp.
Sep 16th, 2007, 06:33 AM
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I have always said that dealing with the airlines, is the closest I will ever come to dealing with the Mafia. They hold all the cards, and want to get as much as they can from you.
The secret to buying cheap airfares is like buying real estate. Location! Airfares are dictated by competition.
Airports that are dominated by one carrier don't have as much competition, and prices are higher. Minneapolis is a huge hub for Northwest, so you might get better fares from another major market.
Flights from the major gateways are always cheapest. Miami is your best shot. So if you can get a cheap flight to Miami, you can plan from there.
We had some great luck this past Easter. Spirit Air is offering cheap flights from Ft. Lauderdale. We scored some cheap Delta flights from New Orleans to Fort Lauderdale, then flew Spirit from there. When the dust settled, we paid under $750.00 for two of us round trip. A little hassle perhaps, but this was about a $450.00 savings for us.
I happen to be working with a March wedding group from Detroit right now. My guests were able to get cheap flights on Spirit from there as well. So that is a possibility for you to look at.
Two precautions if you use this strategy. If you are going through Miami, leave yourself a lot of time for connections. This airport is huge and congested. I won't bore you with horror stories, but I have lots.
Also, leave yourself plenty of time no matter what gateway you go to. If you are late for your connecting flight, you are just a "no show" and could have a problem getting another flight without paying extra.
Hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer more advice.
Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
(Travel professional)
The secret to buying cheap airfares is like buying real estate. Location! Airfares are dictated by competition.
Airports that are dominated by one carrier don't have as much competition, and prices are higher. Minneapolis is a huge hub for Northwest, so you might get better fares from another major market.
Flights from the major gateways are always cheapest. Miami is your best shot. So if you can get a cheap flight to Miami, you can plan from there.
We had some great luck this past Easter. Spirit Air is offering cheap flights from Ft. Lauderdale. We scored some cheap Delta flights from New Orleans to Fort Lauderdale, then flew Spirit from there. When the dust settled, we paid under $750.00 for two of us round trip. A little hassle perhaps, but this was about a $450.00 savings for us.
I happen to be working with a March wedding group from Detroit right now. My guests were able to get cheap flights on Spirit from there as well. So that is a possibility for you to look at.
Two precautions if you use this strategy. If you are going through Miami, leave yourself a lot of time for connections. This airport is huge and congested. I won't bore you with horror stories, but I have lots.
Also, leave yourself plenty of time no matter what gateway you go to. If you are late for your connecting flight, you are just a "no show" and could have a problem getting another flight without paying extra.
Hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer more advice.
Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
(Travel professional)
Sep 17th, 2007, 01:31 PM
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If you can get a cheap fare to Orlando, you can hop on a direct flight to San Jose from there also. I always fly around Costa Rica on Nature Air. it's cheap, safe and quicker then some of those crazy roads. private drivers are easy to hire once you arrive.
Sep 19th, 2007, 07:25 AM
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Keith,
Were are you getting Advantage seats for 30,000 miles? It is showing me 35,000 miles, and I have had to use 35,000 miles in the past. If you have any information to share, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Were are you getting Advantage seats for 30,000 miles? It is showing me 35,000 miles, and I have had to use 35,000 miles in the past. If you have any information to share, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Sep 19th, 2007, 07:52 AM
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I booked 4 tickets last Thursday, paid $249 including taxes nonstop on Delta from JFK to SFO at great times during the kids February school vacation...I've been playing with Kayak for a month now, logging in and trying 4 or 5 destinations that I was considering.
I jumped on it the minute I saw it, I think it's an amazing price!
I jumped on it the minute I saw it, I think it's an amazing price!
Sep 19th, 2007, 08:54 PM
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We have used Expedia Fare Alert and also AA FareFinder, both downloadable, that will let you know with a pop-up when a good deal comes up. For one trip we were able to get $258 round trip LAX-SJO.
I also just saved a bundle using Kayak for Xmas tickets from LAX-PVR. Kayak listed a new Mexicana nonstop flight that did not appear on any of the other travel search engines. Tickets were 50% cheaper than United/Delta/Aeromexico
/Alaska for the same dates.
I also just saved a bundle using Kayak for Xmas tickets from LAX-PVR. Kayak listed a new Mexicana nonstop flight that did not appear on any of the other travel search engines. Tickets were 50% cheaper than United/Delta/Aeromexico
/Alaska for the same dates.
Sep 20th, 2007, 01:08 PM
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You all have done better than me. My husband and I are flying out of MYR on Spirit and got great tickets. However, the other 7 tickets out of RDU were $559.00 RT to SJO. I checked for several months and then decided they had to be purchased. See what folks from all over will do to go back to visit beautiful Costa Rica?
Oct 4th, 2007, 02:55 PM
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I booked a flight out of Atlanta to San Jose (nonstop) on Delta and the best I could find was $549.42.
How in the world can JFK offer such incredibly low prices while Atlanta is one of the highest?!!
Shaking my head here...
Leigh
How in the world can JFK offer such incredibly low prices while Atlanta is one of the highest?!!
Shaking my head here...
Leigh
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