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Questions about Airlines
Questions about Airlines
I'm currently trying to find a villa for a June getaway for ourselves and another couple to celebrate our anniversaries (June 2009).
HOWEVER -- due to our lousy economy, this question surfaced in my mind ---- what happens if you book fares with a particular airline & between now and booking -- or our actual trip -- the airline goes belly-up / declares bankruptcy? This really concerns me!
I think I can find a villa I would like -- but what if we can't get there???
HOWEVER -- due to our lousy economy, this question surfaced in my mind ---- what happens if you book fares with a particular airline & between now and booking -- or our actual trip -- the airline goes belly-up / declares bankruptcy? This really concerns me!
I think I can find a villa I would like -- but what if we can't get there???
I think we are all struggling with these kinds of concerns. It's more likely though that your flight will be cancelled and you will not have the same schedule that you booked (like you used to).
Your best bet IMHO is to use a credit card like American Express that will cover you and/or get trip insurance. It's also a good idea to constantly check the status of your reservation regularly before travel. If you spot a change that doesn't work or puts you into a different airport or you cant make the connection in time (these are common) or force you to arrive a day later or earlier, get onthe phoen immediately and get it fixed.
And honestly I would book with somebody like the big guys rather than something like Spirit as I think there is a bit more security there. I was just reading an article on MSNBC today on this same subject and I think everyone who loves to travel should read it. Puts everything into perspective: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26873658/
I am also traveling with friends and family June 19-29, 2009. I am watching flights from Dulles to STT closely. For a long time AA flights thru MIA were holding at $500 on Orbitz. Toady they were $530. Worse yet there's only one flight out of MIA that gets me to STT before 5pm. IF you're headed to STJ a flight that gets you in after 5pm sucks.
Fares on Delta are MUCH higher.
It used to be that we knew the airfare cycles and schedules could be counted on. But those days are over, at least for now.
The path I'm following is this. When I'm ready to drop the money on my Amex I'm going with one of the biggies and holding my breath until I'm actually on the plane.
I think that's the best that we can all do.
Your best bet IMHO is to use a credit card like American Express that will cover you and/or get trip insurance. It's also a good idea to constantly check the status of your reservation regularly before travel. If you spot a change that doesn't work or puts you into a different airport or you cant make the connection in time (these are common) or force you to arrive a day later or earlier, get onthe phoen immediately and get it fixed.
And honestly I would book with somebody like the big guys rather than something like Spirit as I think there is a bit more security there. I was just reading an article on MSNBC today on this same subject and I think everyone who loves to travel should read it. Puts everything into perspective: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26873658/
I am also traveling with friends and family June 19-29, 2009. I am watching flights from Dulles to STT closely. For a long time AA flights thru MIA were holding at $500 on Orbitz. Toady they were $530. Worse yet there's only one flight out of MIA that gets me to STT before 5pm. IF you're headed to STJ a flight that gets you in after 5pm sucks.
Fares on Delta are MUCH higher.
It used to be that we knew the airfare cycles and schedules could be counted on. But those days are over, at least for now.
The path I'm following is this. When I'm ready to drop the money on my Amex I'm going with one of the biggies and holding my breath until I'm actually on the plane.
I think that's the best that we can all do.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
I agree with Gromit. We are doing the same thing, waiting and watching and when we have a couple bucks to drop on the card we will book. For our May 09 trip I think we are going to book in the next couple weeks. Get it done before the holidays start up. Its held steady on AA and I feel fairly safe flying with them as opposed to a smaller airline.
Also have the theory that there are so few flights to STT (via MIA) anymore that the only way they could change your reservation is to completely drop it. And I believe that won't happen
Also have the theory that there are so few flights to STT (via MIA) anymore that the only way they could change your reservation is to completely drop it. And I believe that won't happen
First off, hello all you seasoned Forumites. I've been absorbing knowledge for the past few months and felt the need to give back. Honeymooned in St. John in 2001 and haven't been back since. Finally returning next summer.
I took a different tack on the airlines. I've been monitoring flights from several midwest cities for the past 4 months, and without exception, every itinerary increased in price. I discovered that by driving 5 hours to Chicago, I could save $400 per ticket by flying Spirit Air. The most I could have saved by flying out of Chicago on a bigger airline would have been about $250 per ticket, so the additional $150 per ticket savings was important, even more so when you understand there are 8 of us flying together.
I'm not terribly concerned about the airline failing, because I suspect that as the economy continues to retract, people are going to be more willing to fly a "budget" airline as opposed to one they're more familiar with. This is the type of market where the budget airlines can thrive because their flights are more likely to be at capacity.
That said, I couldn't' purchase the $12 trip insurance fast enough when I made my reservation.
I took a different tack on the airlines. I've been monitoring flights from several midwest cities for the past 4 months, and without exception, every itinerary increased in price. I discovered that by driving 5 hours to Chicago, I could save $400 per ticket by flying Spirit Air. The most I could have saved by flying out of Chicago on a bigger airline would have been about $250 per ticket, so the additional $150 per ticket savings was important, even more so when you understand there are 8 of us flying together.
I'm not terribly concerned about the airline failing, because I suspect that as the economy continues to retract, people are going to be more willing to fly a "budget" airline as opposed to one they're more familiar with. This is the type of market where the budget airlines can thrive because their flights are more likely to be at capacity.
That said, I couldn't' purchase the $12 trip insurance fast enough when I made my reservation.