I'm helping a friend look for an airplane ticket for this weekend. I'm looking from the evening on the 23rd through the 27th in the evening. He's flying out of Colorado Springs and needs to go to Fresno, CA. He's in the Army and needs to go home for a family emergency.

I've only been able to find fares for $1000 and he dosen't want to spend that much.

He's only going to be able to use a few carriers, and since it is last minute booking, it may be on the expensive side.

You should try www.cheaptickets.com and all the websites for the airlines.

Most airlines also have emergency fares that they offer so you also might call the airlines and see if his trip home might qualify.

Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks so much for your suggestion. The cheapest I have found is $772. He might go for that but since its so last minute he doesn't know if he has that kind of money. He'd drive but he has to be back on base by a certain time and he's not sure if he could make it.

Southwest Airlines has military fares..he'd have to fly to San Jose and rent a car I think, is he 25 years old?

Hi Tulea, question, does United fly out of Colorado Springs? I know Denver is one of their hubs.

I ask because United has a program where people can donate their miles to United for military to use. I know because I do that.

If United flys out of Colorado Springs I would suggest that he call United to see if he would qualify for their military frequent flyer donation plan.

Sure hope something gets worked out.

sorry I mentioned southwest, they do not fly CO.

Looks like America West has service, they offer military fares and also have the donated miles program (but more advance notice may be required for this). If nothing is open out of COS, maybe he can get to Denver?

Thanks for everyone suggestions, I'm going over them right now.

I don't think he can rent a car since he's only 19. He might be able to fly out of Denver but I'll have to wait until he gets off duty do dicuss options with him.

There aren't many airlines that fly to Fresno, so researching them shouldn't take too long. If you want the whole list to contact until you can get more details from him, here it is:

Alaska Airlines
Allegiant Airlines
America West/Mesa Airlines
American/American Eagle
Continental Airlines
Delta Airlines/SkyWest
Hawaiian Airlines
Horizon Air
Northwest Airlines
United Airlines
United Express/SkyWest

I want to thank everyone for helping me out and my friend greatly appreciates it too. Unfortunately he was unable to go because he was switched to having duty for the weekend and had no way of getting around it. Then they sent him to the field for a week.

Again, thanks so much for everything.

Hi Tulea, I am sorry that it did not work out but it was nice of you to report back. So many don't. I hope the family emergency is not to bad.