Airfare From Chicago - US Airways?

IA Joe · Post by **IA Joe** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:44 am

My wife and I will be travelling to St. John from Chicago in May, and have been watching airfare for a couple of months now. Not much movement. The fare is $542 on US Airways with flight times that I like. Spirit is a little lower, but with all of the issues I have seen on this board regarding Spirit, I am very hesitant about booking with them. How is US Airways?

I know airfare is a game of chance, but do you think I should book at $542? I have not made the trip in 7 years, so I might be delusional to think that I should wait for a lower fare?

I appreciate any suggestions you can give me!

Joe

toes in the sand · Post by **toes in the sand** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 10:10 am

We pulled the trigger when we saw airfares drop to below $300/person from St. Louis on Delta. AA made a feeble attempt compete with it but we are visiting earlier in the season. Fares for May might still drop some.
You can do a search on Bing for an air route and they will tell you if they think the fare will rise or fall. They do not do this for STT but I search for STL to MIA to get their opinion.

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 2:32 pm

We've flown out of ORD for 8 out of our 10 trips to STJ. Our first trip was in 2003 and we've always paid between $350 and $450 out of ORD, in the off season, on United/US Airways (the first leg of the flight is always United, and the second leg is usually US Airways on a code share). Lately fares have been a little higher. We flew Spirit for the first and last time in 2009. With they way they nickel and dime you and add on a bunch of extra charges, it ended up saving us like $10 per person but the experience was one I'd never want to repeat.

The past couple trips we've been paying around $600 out of small airports in central Illinois...parking is free and we get to STT more quickly because a) we're a few hours closer to the Caribbean down here and b) our flights connect in Atlanta instead of several random places we've had to connect through when flying out of ORD.

Is this flight direct or does in connect in Charlotte? I'd definitely pay that for a direct flight, and I'm pretty cheap...but then again my standards have changed now that we don't fly out of ORD anymore and have gotten used to paying $600

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:23 pm

Another Forumite is on FB and saying US Air cancelled their connecting flight out of Charlotte for their upcoming trip...they have them departing before they even arrive..and they didnt even get an email, she just happened to check the status of their flights And another one said they have had their returning flight done the same way and they will be in Altanta overnight .. I really dont know that US Air is any better than any of the others, unless you can get a non stop flight...I think all the airlines are trying to cut as many schedules as possible..which of course makes it miserable for those who have booked already..or wanting to book..Good Luck to you..I hope you find a great deal and flights that are on time..

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:29 pm

We got a great fare from DEN to KONA in Feb. But I am a bit nervous about the AA/US Air Merger and the Government holding it up.

What is everyone else feel on this merger? Will it actually happen? I don't usually fly US Air here in CO. But for $599 to Kona, it was a bargain. I guess it's a crap shoot and even though we purchased travel insurance, that won't matter if they go under.

We always fly Southwest, Frontier or UA.

T.

poidog · Post by **poidog** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:17 am

Fly United (non-stop) or AA from Chicago. I have flown them all with varied experiences. Last time I flew Spirit and will never fly them again. I had used spirit multiple time with no issues, until the last trip where our return flight was delayed coming to STT, making us miss our connection and having to spend the night in Fort Lauderdale. I wouldn't have been as upset if the airfare I paid was a true "Spirit discounted fair," but I paid just as much as the other airlines where charging. I have had no issues with US Air (as of yet, only flown once) through Charlotte. Usually I prefer United or AA as they are usually the best operators. United offers a non-stop into STT (I think on the weekends only). AA you connect in Miami now (no more San Juan

) These two cost a bit more, but IMO now it's worth the little bit of extra dough to have options and not be stuck in a smaller airport that can offer you no other alternatives if you get stuck.

usvi-on-line