inter-island flight advice
 

My wife and I are planning an 8 day trip to Maui in July. We are considering taking a day trip to Oahu. I went to high school on Oahu for 4 years in the mid-70's, and would really like to show my wife the island. My research has come up with air fare for two of $312 (Aloha Air) and $372 (Hawaiian Air). Any suggestions on discounts or other ways to reduce the air fare? Thanks very much!!

<BR>That seems like a lot. I've been there many times and never paid close to that much, but maybe airfares have gone up more than I thought. You can get a pretty good discount on Aloha Airlines if you're a member of AAA. Also, you should call Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays and see what they quote you. Good Luck.

That amount seems a bit high. We were advised to go to a travel agent once we were already on one of the islands, which we did, and found that the airfare was much cheaper than the airfare you could get at the airport.

Once you are there, check the free tourist magazines for "neighbor island specials" and you might find airfare for about $50 per person each way. Sometimes there are air-hotel-car rental packages for overnight trips to different islands. One number you could call, at least to get an idea of prices and deals, is Oahu Discount Tours,808-922-5522. I didn't actually use them, but saved the number for possible use on my next trip to beautiful Hawaii. Have a great trip! <BR>

Aloha from Hawaii! <BR> <BR>You can save at least the cost of a day's car rental by purchasing inter-island coupons and using them in place of the higher inter-island published airfare. <BR> <BR>Coupons are to date about $56 per person each way and available for delivery to you Honolulu hotel or VIA FEDEX. <BR> <BR>Tiare :-) <BR>http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/hawaii <BR> <BR> <BR>

Brian, <BR> <BR>I am also going to Maui in July and have been doing a lot of research about it, to say the least. I called a travel agency in Lahaina, don't know the name, 1-800-669-MAUI, and spoke with a lady named Trish. She gave me a package deal for three adults, round- trip air to Oahu, an economy rental car, and one-night stay at the Waikiki Parkside Hotel for $378. ($126 per person). Had the option of only air and car package for three people for $312. ($104 per person). <BR> <BR>Another place you might consider checking into for discounts is the Activity Owners Association on Maui. 1-800-398-9698. For $19 you receive a membership card that offers 25% off a lot of different activities, for up to four people per membership. But the best part of this was after joining, they mail you the card with explanations and so forth, and the option of purchasing tickets to other activities at about 50% discount. This 50% discount is supposed to be for Hawaii residents only, but I certainly don't live in Hawaii and I saved $150 for spending $19. The Volcano bike ride, luaus, some helicopter tours, Trilogy tours, various snorkeling trips, and many more activities. But it is a limited availability, with different activities offered every month. You should act quickly, and check back <BR> <BR>Good luck and have a great trip. I'm sure looking forward to mine. . <BR>

Discount coupons are available for $53 <BR>see http://travel-hawaii.com/coupons.html <BR>Anne

I suspect that the prices quoted at http://www.travel-hawaii.com/coupons.html are daed. The information given for non-resident travel is in the mid $80 range. That hasn't been true for at least a year! <BR> <BR>Coupon prices fluctuate and my guess is that $56 is a more reasonable expectation!