oregonmom

We have been to Hawaii twice, once in December and the other in February. Paid not too bad of a price on airfare either time. However, with two kids in tow now, what would you say is the cheapest flight time of the year? It appears to me it may be October-early December. Both our children have to pay for a seat so we're looking to plan the cheapest trip possible. Also, do you know where I can sign up for a central low fare alert? We live in Oregon and fly out of Eugene or Portland. Thanks!

pdxgirl

I think you are correct about airfare. There are usually very good Hawaii fares out of Portland in early December (before the 15th). I've found that the key is not to book too early. Sales start popping up about two months before your travel date.

I always fly on Hawaiian Air, so I just sign up for their email alerts, but a good source of airfare sale info is www.airfarewatchdog.com.

Sarah

You can sign up for low fare alerts with any airline. The closer you get to xmas you are going to pay more. I am coming fron NYC so I have a tougher time with bargain fares than those of you on the west coast.

www.kayak.com to monitor airfares.

mee I like to go in summer but yeah so July 4th is a good day to snag a cheap ticket.

calitexan

Travelocity offers a "low fare alert" but you often have to check immediately. The fare is often gone by the time I open the email and see the alert!

Sarah

www.smarterliving.com gives you fare alerts for all major airlines

happytourist

Go to bestfares.com and search under the Quick Fare Finder. Lots of good specials right now.

riggsie

We are a family of 4, traveling to Maui the end of March. This will be our 5th trip to Maui! We try and go every two years. Our boys 12&14 are growing up too fast. We use a Delta Cards for gas and grocery purchases and any large purchases and receive double miles. It is very easy to pay just one bill at the end of the month and saves a lot on checks! It took about 2 years to have enough miles for two skymile tickets. This saved us about $1,600.00 this trip. We purchased 2 skymile tickets, and 2 tickets with a package thru Pleasant Holidays along with car rental and last 3 nights at the Westin. We also booked first 5 nights at Kaanapali Shores for a 1bdrm Ocean View thru VRBO.com. Without the 2 skymile tickets I don't think we could afford to go in March or for 9 days. Saving with the skymiles we are even able to fly out of our small town and not have to drive to Salt Lake City, Utah. The 9 days will cost us 3,700.00 for 4 people. We will still have to pay parking (resort fees), food & spending $. We book one adult and one child with miles and one adult and one child with Pleasant. This way if flights are changed at all, a parent is booked with a child. Booking with Pleasant we only have to come up with a deposit to begin with and balance 30 days before the trip. We have the Travelocity alert for Maui. We have gone the 1st week of December and the last week of May (Memorial Day) which seem to be much cheaper for Airfare and lodging, but the end of March or 1st part of April are our favorite. We go during the kids spring break now ...as they get older it is harder to take them out of school. We love hiking, the Whale Watching, Snorkeling and Boogie Boarding. We have spent a lot more money staying at the Sheraton , Whaler and Alii on past trips for 5 to 7 nights...This time with the savings with skymiles and condo off main Kaanapali for 5 of the nights, we can afford to stay at the Westin for the last 3 nights of our trip for more fun for the boys with the Westin pool/slides, better beach and more action at Whalers Village and No cooking for mom! We plan on doing our car trips, exploring the Island beaches and excursion during our first 5 days and then relaxing and staying put close to the Westin our last 3 days. Hope this info. helps! Every little bit helps...

Gellers

We just visited Kauai and flew on Thanksgiving day; flew back six days later. Got fantastic (nonstop to Lihue from Los Angeles) rates on United--and the resorts were completely DEAD the week following Thanksgiving. I recommend this highly!