Where to get cheapo plane tickets for my trip back?

[watdahel]

This is my second time flying. I hate flying but I have to. I'd take a train if it wasn't for the time. With my inexperience comes questions. So I'm looking for some advice from the good folks here. What are the hidden secrets of plane ticket bargain shopping?

I'm looking to fly from AZ to NY in a week. Where's the best place to go for cheap ticket for a plane ride? Would I pay higher if I go directly to the airline's website? When's the best time to book a flight? A friend mentioned he got a better deal by ordering past midnight for some odd reason. Is that for real?

And just out of curiosity what's the consensus on which plane is the fastest? I think it takes six hours to fly from AZ to NY non-stop. Now, if I can cut that in half that would be great.

 

[Leros]

I would hurry and book that flight ASAP before they all run out. Christmas time is a very busy flying time.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: Leros
I would hurry and book that flight ASAP before they all run out. Christmas time is a very busy flying time.

QFT. and all the cheap seats have probably already been snatched up...I expect the OP will end up with a $500. flight...

Edit..just browsed through Expedia, and using the 18th as the date, going from Phoenix to new york, (any airport in metro NYC) I get flights ranging from $159 to $850+

choose wisely young Jedi...

 

[jagec]

Which plane is the fastest? All commercial jetliners fly at about the same speed. Some are a bit faster than others, but certainly not twice as fast, so getting a direct flight is basically your only control over travel time.

southwest.com is good for cheap tickets, and I use qixo.com or priceline.com as well. Sometimes travel agents can get you better deals, but probably not for a single run-of-the-mill domestic flight.

You REALLY should have booked these tickets a long time ago.

 

[mjh]

Try the "bid now" feature on Priceline! You may end up with a flight in the middle of the night, and a connection, but the ticket will probably be cheap!

 

[beer]

www.kayak.com is the best travel site for flights, period. Web 2.0 comes to flight info ftw

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: beer
www.kayak.com is the best travel site for flights, period. Web 2.0 comes to flight info ftw

Oddly enough, using Kayak.com, I got $169 for the same flights that Expedia quoted for $159...and jet Blue also had at $159...

 

[Bill Brasky]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: beer
www.kayak.com is the best travel site for flights, period. Web 2.0 comes to flight info ftw

Oddly enough, using Kayak.com, I got $169 for the same flights that Expedia quoted for $159...and jet Blue also had at $159...

Do those prices include taxes? Most online sellers withhold taxes from the listed price to make it seem cheaper. I found a flight to Miami for the new year, and the ticket had about $140 extra in taxes...

 

[BoomerD]

Most do not include taxes, but taxes are fairly insignificant... $159.00 + $15.40 taxes & fees = $174.40

 

[watdahel]

Yah, Kayak seems to show a different price than what I get for JetBlue for example.

Also, which airline is best in terms of ride quality like quiet airplane, seat space, free food, cute stewardess, clean restroom, arcade.

 

[BoomerD]

I like Jet Blue. great price, decent service, and it's hard to beat the TV's built into every seat back...I don't pay attention to the food, stewardesses or arcades...I'm there for the ride, and want the best service I can get for the cheapest price...If I was worrying about the rest, I'd fly first-class...(you can always bring your own food...)

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: erwin1978
Yah, Kayak seems to show a different price than what I get for JetBlue for example.

Also, which airline is best in terms of ride quality like quiet airplane, seat space, free food, cute stewardess, clean restroom, arcade.

LOL. None of them. Unless you're willing to spring for 1st class...

 

[watdahel]

Is there a chance that I book a flight now and then three days later the price goes down? Would I be able to ask for a credit in that case or is it automatic?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: erwin1978
Is there a chance that I book a flight now and then three days later the price goes down? Would I be able to ask for a credit in that case or is it automatic?

You're booking a flight a week out. The price will only go up.

But no, you will not get a credit if the price does change. It's like playing the stock market.

 

[BoomerD]

Neither one...the cheap flights are non-refundable...if the price changes...you can only cuss...otherwise, you can't do a dammed thing about it.

keep in mind that the closer you get to the day you want to fly, the fewer "discounted" seats may be available...you COULD end up paying several hundred $$ more.

 

[2Xtreme21]

I would recommend Southwest too. I believe they fly from Phoenix.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: mjh
Try the "bid now" feature on Priceline! You may end up with a flight in the middle of the night, and a connection, but the ticket will probably be cheap!

qft

i was going to visit a friend for new years (plans fell through :/) and was checking express jet, which i have used before.

tickets were costly, 400 bucks or better for a round trip flight.
priceline? 200 bucks with one connection.

 

[WildHorse]

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[EagleKeeper]

SouthWest goes from Phoenix to LaGuadia and Islip (Long Island).

 

[watdahel]

Originally posted by: scott
if you get stranded consider trying this as a last resort:

go to the pilot ready room at an airport with lots of private plane traffic.
Try to hitchhike a free ride with a private plane going where you want. Teh AZ to NY route is probably heavily trafficked, so odds favor you.

It helps if you have an exceptionally pretty girlfriend with you.

A girlfriend and I did this and went all over the place free, so it does work, but I think it was mostly because of her strong attractiveness to the pilot guys. And travel really light.

Are you saying I can borrow your girlfriend? If she's really pretty I want her with me. Can you pass my request to her. Perhaps we'll invite you to our wedding in the future for your help.