obxgirl

That is super annoying, nelsonian!

Sassafrass

I used to love Dulles.
The main terminal, designed by Eero Saarinen really is beautiful, especially the exterior. It is a fine example of modern-futuristic architecture, was quite unique at the time. He also designed the Gateway Arch in St Louis and the old TWA Terminal at JFK.

Now, I find going to/departing from there a chore. From my limited recent experience, I would probably take the bit of extra trouble to change hotels and get one with a free airport shuttle the next morning, especially with an even earlier flight.

When you do call for a taxi, don't forget to tell them six people with luggage. They should ask anyway, just covering the bases.

nelsonian

Looks like we can get a partial refund from United, enough to cover our flights on either Jet Blue or American Airlines which leave from Reagan. The travel agent says they can't book the Jet Blue flights but can do the American Airlines one. They are both about the same price.

obxgirl

Looks like we can get a partial refund from United, enough to cover our flights on either Jet Blue or American Airlines which leave from Reagan.

That will immensely improve your airport commute.

Now, I find going to/departing from there a chore

I'm perfectly happy to fly to/from Dulles but we typically drive and leave a car in the economy lot. Or the 5A bus is a good option with only a small carry on. I won't do early morning Dulles departures though.

mrwunrfl

Good. Am wondering what a "partial refund" is. No answer to my question about how that segment was ticketed, so I will guess that it was on a ticket with other flights. So, maybe it was a partial refund of that ticket, but was a full refund of that segment. I'll guess that the refund amount was US $95, give or take five bucks.

Right now at aa.com you can get 6 tix at $111 each and it says there are 7 seats left at that price. jetBlue has 6 tix at either $79 or $111. Those prices are for Jan 4, DCA-MCO nonstop, 6 adults.

If I can buy a ticket online (in California) from Nelson to Wellington then I think you would be able to buy a jetBlue ticket. But the $79 tix are for 3:59 PM and later and maybe you don't want to fly that late. If that is the case it is a toss-up between AA and B6, and I'd probably just go with AA (more schedule) and stick with going thru the TA.

mrwunrfl

Back on Sep 8 I think I saw an AA flight that was "just before noon". Today, there is no flight between the 8:50 AM and 1:45 PM departures. Seems that AA cancelled that noonish flight.

I had to do another AA search for 1 pax before I determined that because I thought it might not show for a search for 6 pax. That confirmed to me that the flight was cancelled (or maybe it is sold out, but I doubt it).

But a ticket for 1 pax is $98 when it is $111 each for 6 pax. Am not sure how that works. Could be 3 tix at $98 and 3 at $124 for a $111 average.

That reminds me of my second trip to NZ, this time with my brother. I searched at the NZ site for 1 pax and got a price. Then I searched for 2 pax and got a higher price - the same for both tix. I ended up booking one at the lower price and one at the higher price. But, I wasn't concerned about us sitting together (we did, tho) or that if the flight was cancelled we be put on different flights (I guess that was possible). Am thinking that the benefit of having all 6 passenger on the same ticket outweighs saving $13 on a couple tickets.

mrwunrfl

The most you can save by getting multiple ticets (two) would be $65. 5 at $98 and 1 at $111 (maybe).

But, am hoping the point is moot and that you already jumped on the opportunity to fly AA from Reagan with the cost covered by the UA refund. Please say this is so, so that I can give you high-five.

nelsonian

Thanks mrwunrfl for your information. I am about to book the JetBlue flights, it is at a better time. I cannot believe that our original United tickets cost
$ 210US each, we are getting a refund of $ 144. Yes the travel agent said that there was 1 AA seat at a cheaper price but thought we should all booked together.

mrwunrfl

I swear that I just saw that 3:59 jetBlue flight $44 each for 6 adults (same for 4 plus 2 kids). But five minutes later I don't see it. Maybe you got them. Maybe multiple queries drove up the price temporarily.

But that 11:49 departure time seems perfect to me.

The reason that your fare was $210 was probably because you booked way in advance. Some airlines don't publish their fares as far in advance as United, so less competition at the time. Also, they don't know what the demand will be that far in advance, because most people aren't buying yet. So they offer a safe price until they see what the competition and demand are.

mrwunrfl

I still wonder what happened to the $66 difference between the purchase price and the refund. Bottom line, though, is that you will end up saving money by making the change.

nelsonian

Have booked the 11.49am Jet Blue flight. Now lets hope it doesn't change!!!

mrwunrfl

Here's another link, in case you need it:
http://www.jetblue.com/travel-agents/schedule-change/