carole

We have decided to continue with our plans for a family holiday in the states despite the terrible problems. We are hoping to make a stop in new york to visit it very old, dear friends and then fly on to san francisco to tour the west coast. Does anyone have any suggestions for keeping costs down as we have two teenage sons - one of whom is in university so money is not abundant at the moment. Anyone have any recommendations for websites for booking stopovers as all the usual ones ie expedia, ebookers, travelocity dont seem to offer a stopover option. Any advice for a novice would be much appreciated.

Gregory

Carole,

On www.expedia.co.uk, click on the flights tab at the top of the first screen then click on the multiple destinations button ( right hand side button).

This will enable you to enter as many as five separate flights.

Hope this helps

carole

Thanks for your help gregory. I tried expedia but the price was £1300 per person! Do you know if there is any difference between a flight with a stopover and separate flights? This seems a crazy amount of money. There is absolutely no way that we can afford £5200 for the four of us just for flights.

pete

try www.orbitz.com (run by the major airlines), and for U.S. domestic flights, www.itasoftware.com Also check southwest airlines' own website, www.southwest.com They do not allow their fares to be carried on orbitz, and often run great sales (similar to ryanair, easyjet, go, buzz etc. in Europe). FYI, a friend just booked a roundtrip London-Dulles ticket for christmas-time for approx. $340 (including tax) on United, so check around, you should be able to do better than you have so far.

Ljn

Try air tickets direct (UK Company) They are a consolidator and we always buy our tickets through them. Several times (Different times of the year) we have paid £213 return (Including tax) to Boston with Virgin.
Their website is www.airtickets.co.uk BUT Call them on 0870 8761199 We find they often have better deals if you phone as their website does not appear to be constantly updated.
Good luck in finding a bargain - There are some out there.

Jim

Many U.S. universities have travel agents on campus who specialize in budget travel. Perhaps the UK does as well?

Jess

I agree with checking out Southwest Airlines. They are by far the cheapest airline, with probably the best record of on-time takeoffs. But the only problem is that Southwest doesn't fly out of New York City, and you will probably have to make multiple plane connections, and the plane is all essentially economy class. (Plus no meals offered). You can take a train down to Islip (Long Island) which is the closest they get to NYC. Even though it doesn't sound all that appealing, it's the best price anywhere. And the only domestic carrier I use.

kate

Book your stopovers as separate trips (ie-UK to NYC, NYC to SFO) and that should help cut costs. I would try Priceline or Hotwire is you are not particular about the airline you use or the times you fly. Good Luck!