Travel

[Twins Mom]

Looking into travel to Europe. Discounted flight websites I have found have poor rating. Any suggestions on how to arrange and purchase?

[FrostyBabe1]

Yes. Go directly to the airline website and purchase from them. Many airlines guarantee that their cheapest fares are available only when you purchase directly from them. 

If you do buy a discounted fare, make sure you absolutely know what you're getting in to. For example, on many airlines, their deeply discounted coach fares do not allow you to select a seat, meaning you may not be seated with any travel companions, and there is no obligation, either on the part of the airline or your fellow passengers to make that happen. You'll be the one in the center seat that doesn't recline and is right in front of the lav. Make sure you read the contract of carriage and then read it again before you click the purchase button. 

[LDenise]

Check with your local travel agent.  I am one and we are able to assist with ticket only transactions up to fully escorted trips visiting many countries.  We have access to book all airlines and can get the best fare / schedule etc to meet our client's needs.  In addition, we offer assistance while traveling incase something goes wrong. ( flight delay, cancellation, bad weather, lost/delayed luggage ) 

[StylishLady]

Never booked an international flight, but DH books all our domestic travel using either Travelocity of Expedia. So far no issues.

[Mz iMac]

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wrote:
Any suggestions on how to arrange and purchase?

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Go to a travel agency which has already been recommended.

[tiredlady]

I flew to Heathrow in 2011 and again in 2017.  I flew once with American and once with United.  I booked through the airlines.  Round trip tickets were $700.00 in 2011 and 1,000.00 in 2017.  I looked for several months before I finally booked.  Neither were direct flights.

[MarnieRez3]

Twins Mom...I don't know what your originating city is, but Norwegian Air has very inexpensive flights from the West Coast to major cities in Europe. They are not a plush airline, but the service is good and they have an excellent on-time record. Happy Trails!

[lulu1]

I check Travelocity for all non stop* flights to my destination and arrange them low to high price.  I note the flights that interest me, then go directly to the airlines' sites. 

European fares from my home airport (Newark) have been exceptional.  In December, the economy round trip base fare to Rome (returning from Paris) was a bit over $400.  We bumped up the Economy Plus for $150 (round trip total) each.

My sister and I are flying to Dublin in April.  Our fare is $509 round trip.

Both flights are on United.

* If I do not see a decent fare, I check 1 stop,

[granddi]

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wrote:

I check Travelocity for all non stop* flights to my destination and arrange them low to high price.  I note the flights that interest me, then go directly to the airlines' sites. 

European fares from my home airport (Newark) have been exceptional.  In December, the economy round trip base fare to Rome (returning from Paris) was a bit over $400.  We bumped up the Economy Plus for $150 (round trip total) each.

My sister and I are flying to Dublin in April.  Our fare is $509 round trip.

Both flights are on United.

* If I do not see a decent fare, I check 1 stop,

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The Newark airport is a good tip.

We are thinking of using Southwest to get us from Dallas to the East Coast and then go international. Reason: we have so many SW points and also it would reduce the international flight time by 3-4 hours. We don't mind an overnight to avoid a 9 hour ride from DFW.

For those who have experiences, would Baltimore or Boston be a good choice for international connections? Chicago would not save any travel time. 

[FrostyBabe1]

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wrote:

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wrote:

I check Travelocity for all non stop* flights to my destination and arrange them low to high price.  I note the flights that interest me, then go directly to the airlines' sites. 

European fares from my home airport (Newark) have been exceptional.  In December, the economy round trip base fare to Rome (returning from Paris) was a bit over $400.  We bumped up the Economy Plus for $150 (round trip total) each.

My sister and I are flying to Dublin in April.  Our fare is $509 round trip.

Both flights are on United.

* If I do not see a decent fare, I check 1 stop,

---

The Newark airport is a good tip.

We are thinking of using Southwest to get us from Dallas to the East Coast and then go international. Reason: we have so many SW points and also it would reduce the international flight time by 3-4 hours. We don't mind an overnight to avoid a 9 hour ride from DFW.

For those who have experiences, would Baltimore or Boston be a good choice for international connections? Chicago would not save any travel time. 

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If you choose to do this you need to realize a few things. SWA has no interline arrangements with any airline, so your bag will only be checked as far as you go on them. You'll need to pick up your bags, take them to the airline that you're traveling on internationally, check them with them and then re-clear security. Since you'll be purchasing seperate tickets on seperate carriers, if something goes awry with your SWA flights and you miss your next flight, that airline has absolutely no responsibility or obligation to get you on any other flight. You're simply a no-show to them, and when you no-show for the outbound, they'll cancel your return as well.  They MAY re-book you on a later flight, but will be well within their rights to charge you hefty fees and the fare difference between what you booked and the price of a new ticket.