Frequent Travelers

[Serenity]

Hey, I was hoping for a bit of help from you frequent travelers. I'm looking for the cheapest flight available this summer, but all of the main websites (Orbitz, travelocity, etc.) are still quite expensive. Does anyone have some little undiscovered source or some good tips for getting a cheap flight?

FYI Im trying to get from Honolulu to San Antonio sometime this June for about 2 weeks. I really don't care how long the flights/layovers are or how many stops I make. I'm just looking for the cheapest I can get. Thanks in advance!

[texasmom]

I always found the best ticket prices on tuesdays (buying 300+ tickets a year), 6 weeks out. 

Travelocity usually has good prices.
Maybe you should ask a local travel agent to help find a good ticket. It'll probably be worth the small agency fee.

*also*
If you're willing to, you can buy separate tickets (i.e. one from Hawaii to SanFran or LAX, one from SanFran or LAX to SanAntonio). In order to do that, you'd really want to backtrack~ see where the flights from SanAntonio go to. That'll be easier than working it from California first.  Just be sure to leave enough time to make the switch on your own.  That could save a bundle if you're willing to put up with the hassle of having the separate tickets.

[Serenity]

I always found the best ticket prices on tuesdays (buying 300+ tickets a year), 6 weeks out. 

Travelocity usually has good prices.
Maybe you should ask a local travel agent to help find a good ticket. It'll probably be worth the small agency fee.

*also*
If you're willing to, you can buy separate tickets (i.e. one from Hawaii to SanFran or LAX, one from SanFran or LAX to SanAntonio). In order to do that, you'd really want to backtrack~ see where the flights from SanAntonio go to. That'll be easier than working it from California first.  Just be sure to leave enough time to make the switch on your own.  That could save a bundle if you're willing to put up with the hassle of having the separate tickets.

Hassle is no problem for me. Unfortunately with money as tight as it is, im not sure I would want to risk paying an agency fee. I'll try that separate ticket thing. Should I use the same sites and just search for a 1-way flight to each stop? (Sorry, i've never tried that before). Thanks a lot!

[texasmom]

Hassle is no problem for me. Unfortunately with money as tight as it is, im not sure I would want to risk paying an agency fee. I'll try that separate ticket thing. Should I use the same sites and just search for a 1-way flight to each stop? (Sorry, i've never tried that before). Thanks a lot!

Yes, use the same sites (for which you usually also pay a fee if you purchase through them)
No, make them round trips.

one ticket round trip from hawaii to california.
one ticket round trip from california to texas.

matching up the times in both directions is what you'll want to be careful of while you're looking at those.

[vorticon]

Yes, use the same sites (for which you usually also pay a fee if you purchase through them)
No, make them round trips.

one ticket round trip from hawaii to california.
one ticket round trip from california to texas.

matching up the times in both directions is what you'll want to be careful of while you're looking at those.

and, pay attention to where the airlines fly out of in the airport...not good to be on the opposite end of a big airport with only 20 minutes or so to connect. Its not a deal breaker, but its good to know in advance.

[Serenity]

and, pay attention to where the airlines fly out of in the airport...not good to be on the opposite end of a big airport with only 20 minutes or so to connect. Its not a deal breaker, but its good to know in advance.

lol. Just a funny story, I just got back from San Antonio, and at my stop in Phoenix, we got off the plane, I had to walk to literally the other end of the airport for my connection, and just as I got there, they announced (With only about 20 minutes left until boarding) that the gate had been changed to the one right next to where I got off

[texasmom]

Oh yeah, great point vorticon.
also, houston has two major airports ~ make sure that when you're doing separate tickets, they are into and out of the same airport (not just the same city)

[Spikes]

Good thing you're planning things early. Got a lot of time for research and such.

Did a quick check...go to AA's site
HNL to SAT
June 9th to June 23rd...make sure to search by Price & Schedule.
$286 (to what I believe to be is one way) but that's pretty cheap IMHO.

[CAVPFCDD]

www.kayak.com is a good site, it compares all of those travel sites

also check the actual airlines websites, sometimes they do "internet specials" that won't show up on any of the travel sites.

I've found the cheapest airlines are South West and Air Tran, they seem to be really nice to their customers too

Air Tran is based out of Atlanta, so no matter where you're going, you stop off in Atlanta

anyway, check both kayak and the airlines websites

<EDIT> Ok didn't see you said honolulu, I'm pretty sure Air Tran doesn't go there, but still, heed my advice! 

[bj229r]

Often times flying from a nearby airport is TONS cheaper--(ALSO is cheaper is Southwest flies there) a few years ago I had to stop work in Phoenix and get to Montgomery County in MD for a prison job site that was ending--Phoenix to National, 1-way, 1 day notice: $1,200. Phoenix to BWI (where Southwest services) $240. (I refuse to fly Southwest, flew Delta--they almost always match lowest price for said route)

[Spikes]

www.kayak.com is a good site, it compares all of those travel sites

also check the actual airlines websites, sometimes they do "internet specials" that won't show up on any of the travel sites.

I've found the cheapest airlines are South West and Air Tran, they seem to be really nice to their customers too

Air Tran is based out of Atlanta, so no matter where you're going, you stop off in Atlanta

anyway, check both kayak and the airlines websites

Yeah true. SouthWest is probably one of the lowest with the best service. Best turn-around time in the country. Also they don't charge you for extra bags I don't think, at least they didn't when I went to Daytona.

[ROX]

What TXmom said.

Also...two schools of thought, especially in non-holiday and non-peak months:  BUY EARLY (like now)...airlines want as much up-front reservations in the computer as possible.  LAST MINUTE:  Some routes are routinely full on some runs and a ghost-town on others.  Many carriers offer VERY cheap last minute fares just to justify the run...but it's chancier.

With the economy being in such a shambles, many airlines are cutting fares because they can't justify the high fares and fuel surcharges anymore--with oil back to record lows.  You just might find a really sweet deal either way.

Good luck!


ROX

[Serenity]

Wow, thanks for all the great advice everyone! I've found a flight for $630 but im still looking for cheaper.

[Golfer]

Serenity you live on an island.  An island that in the grand scheme of things is pretty far away from anywhere else you'd want to go.  In order to get there it's going to cost.  $630 is a very good price for a round trip to/from HNL to the USA much less having two domestic legs included in the price as well.

Taking a look at the typical ways I travel for business that's as good a price as you'll find.  You might want cheaper but without some gimmick attached to getting your desired fare you won't find it.

[Serenity]

Serenity you live on an island.  An island that in the grand scheme of things is pretty far away from anywhere else you'd want to go.  In order to get there it's going to cost.  $630 is a very good price for a round trip to/from HNL to the USA much less having two domestic legs included in the price as well.

Taking a look at the typical ways I travel for business that's as good a price as you'll find.  You might want cheaper but without some gimmick attached to getting your desired fare you won't find it.

Yeah I know, but im still trying! lol