AIRFARE PRICES

[kyshel]

I think it's the market, BonnieJoy03. Cruises are still populaly-priced and SJU is the biggest carib port for southern and exotic itineraries. I also agree about you making the purchase, THEN they'll change the fares ...
JK, but that's the kind of stuff that always happened to me, too. Good luck!

[shygirl724]

AA is currently running an International flight sale, only available if you go directly to their site at www.aa.com. I tried getting the same rates to come up using discount sites, such as hotwire and orbitz.....the deep discounts did not come up. The best discounts on other airlinesseem to be just popping up on very short windows of time, then disappearing. Even if the properties are not lowering their prices in response to the economic down turn, I am seeing the airlines responding by lowering prices to fill their planes. I've also founda much easier time booking flights with ff miles.



You might try routing yourself through a major hub. I do this for a friend who lives in the middle of nowhere and save a great deal over the routing the airlines / sites try to fly him through.

[bridybo]

Continental is having a 25% off sale for spring travel to Europe with this code 09EU2N72518TA54.You must book by March 16. I have also found a flight on Delta from Norfolk,Va to Rome in late May for $478!

[ashleysings]

From what I've been reading online we can expect alot of volatility in airfares through this summer at least-I recently saw a few flights to Europe this spring hovering around 400, sometimes even under. Myself, I'm looking for Asia for this summer-if anyone has any tips!

[bonniejoy03]

Hello everyone and sorry if I am posting the same info but I couldn't seem to find this info:

FYI...AA is having a "bonus'" to your dividend miles until 3/31/09. You will receive a 30% bonus on buying miles. WEO. Delta's deal is even better with a 100% bonus on miles!! Great deal and great way to buy needed points...but..both deals end on 3/31/09!!

[travel2fun]

bonniejoy03, do you think it is really a good investment to buy miles in the frequent flyer programs unless you have an immediate miles target you need to reach and plan to use the miles immediately? I keep looking at the programs in which I am enrolled and see the airlines continuing to raise the bar and add restrictions.

[kyshel]

I don't know about AA miles but Delta offers the option of buying seats with miles and money combined so owning a few more a decent price may be a smart move. I earn mine the "old-fashioned way"; I go shopping online.
Keep in mind LL auctions are eligible for skymilesshopping.com You can even triple dip by using the Skymiles Amex card.
Now, if I could just find an auction I want AND win it.

[shygirl724]

Kyshel, Thanks for the tip that LL auctions are eligible for skymilesshopping.com. I didn't know that. I will be sure to use it in the future.

[kyshel]

we use skymilesshopping alot and have really padded our miles quickly. I even keep my non-flying mom's account current by making a purchase on her behalf.
one of my faves is proflowers.com, as well as magazines.com @20miles/$
Glad you can use the link!

[bonniejoy03]

I needed the miles for South America. For AA, I only needed 40,000 miles for a $1500 ticket!! (I had just used my miles so only had about 20,000._) I could buy 20,000 and spend around 600. (My husband and I had the same mileage situation so we each saved close to 900 PLUS we will be getting a mileage bonus!!I was looking at buying Delta points because it is a 100% bonus and they fly out of our regional airport to Central Amercia (we typically go once or twice a year to that part of the world.) So, to answer your question, cost it out and really look to your travel needs within the next 12 months (I think most airlines have mileage expirations after 18 months.)