Originally Posted By mrspotts We've planned a trip for November 29-December 3 (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving through the Saturday of Candlelight, just for reference). We'll be coming from Portland and flying into Orange County, probably on Alaska Air; currently, airfares are running about $360 r/t for direct flights. Here's my dilemma: on the flights we'd prefer, there are plenty of seats left. Should I purchase now, or take a chance that rates will go down as we get closer to our trip? I'm hoping there's someone out there with airline industry experience who might have some insight. I have heard predictions that there are no bargains to be had this fall.... Thanks for any help you can give!
Originally Posted By Audrey Are you planning to stay in a hotel? I've found that booking a package via Expedia or through the Airline vacation desk automatically gives you a much lower airfare. Try logging into Alaska Airlines.com and see what kind of price you get for booking the vacation package.
Originally Posted By mrspotts We're staying at the Candy Cane (Grand is too expensive this year even with AP rates!), and they don't book through Expedia. Alaska Air vacations is ultra-expensive..... we have used them before, but it's never been the cheapest option. I've tried all my normal "packagers", and decided that we'd book everything separately in order to save money this year. We already have AP's and discounted parkhoppers....
Originally Posted By skinnymarie9 We are leaving Portland on Nov. 4 into Orange Co. We got our airfare 2 months ago online at alaskaair.com. We paid 215.90. I have watched it go up and up since then. Right now it is at 377.60. So I wouldnt wait. The closer you get the higher it will get.
Originally Posted By Pirate Pete ^^^ I agree.... we booked month`s ago for our trip. Price has gone up with rising fuel cos`ts and deffinetly the closer you get to desired travel dates...the higher the cost. Unless for some reason the flight time you are choosing is non-peak times and they are tryin to fill a plane with a few seat`s left. A rarity these day`s I`m sure.
Originally Posted By homedisney We're flying Alaska Air from Portland into Ontario, CA the first of Dec. (staying at the Candy Cane too!) It's a little cheaper than going into Orange County or LAX, and we have to rent a car anyway. We paid about $190 a couple of months ago for our rt direct flights, and now the airfare is around $290. It's anybody's guess as to whether or not there will be any discounts coming. If there are, I would bet those direct flights would be sold out. The only "deals" that I've seen are the last minute web specials on Alaska Air. Good luck with your tickets!
Originally Posted By mrspotts Thanks, Homedisney. I looked at Ontario a while back, and the savings weren't phenomenal, but now, it's about 70.00 per person cheaper. I know I've seen a comparison before, but how much farther is Ontario from DLR than Orange Co? Is it still feasible to take a taxi?
Originally Posted By Jenen Mrs. Potts...go to WWW.KAYAK.COM and they will show you the cheapest available flight and then transfer you to that airline...NO CHARGE!! They do the same for hotels and other stuff too, a GREAT search tool!!! You might also try flying into Long Beach Airport (LGB) and see if you get a better deal. We are coming down from Seattle 11/5 and are paying $198.00. I had been checking Alaska weekly since June and must have missed the $215. Skinnymarie got!!!!!! *&$^##* LOL We like coming into SNA, but could not pass up the $175.00 per ticket savings. Also ~ Try Kayak.com they are a great website for find Brenda
Originally Posted By pjhootch Don't wait. I've been watching airfares for weeks, and have a travel agent friend who keeps me up to date on the latest rumours. There was supposed to be a "fare war" starting last week, but it never really materialized. Frequently new fares appear on wednesday morning, both on expedia and travelocity and the airlines own websites. If you haven't jumped by about 8:00 a.m., you aren't frequently in time to catch the fares before they start rising. Last week I managed to get $224 direct flights RT from Chicago into San Diego (works for our trip) over the New Year's holiday, but I had to sit in frustration while prices rose through the roof before Southwest listed some more tickets at sale price. I think that for your dates you probably won't see another price drop at this point, only about 4 weeks away.
Originally Posted By ibob52 Southwest is having a sale now until 10/31(for tickets used 11/04/05-2/03/06)...Although it doesn't include Orange County...is LAX an option for $239.00??
Originally Posted By ibob52 Double check Alaska Air as of right now it is $281.00 for a direct flight.
Originally Posted By ibob52 Double check Alaska Air as of right now it is $281.00 for a direct flight.
Originally Posted By wendebird >>I know I've seen a comparison before, but how much farther is Ontario from DLR than Orange Co? Is it still feasible to take a taxi?<< Ontario is about 40 minutes with no traffic. SNA is about 10 minutes. A taxi from SNA to Harbor Blvd is about $30, one way. I can't imagine how much a taxi would cost from Ontario. I think your best bet would be to rent a car & drive. It's not a bad drive & very easy to get to Harbor Blvd.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Its an easy drive from Ontario. Rental cars are cheap at Ontario. We got a Taurus for 9 days for $190. Regarding airfare sales. Planes are flying full these days. We flew Teddy Bear Airline (United's Ted) from Denver and there wasn't an empty seat on either flight. We bought our tix 6 months prior (when there was a sale) and during the foloowing 6 months the prices never came within $80 (per ticket) of what we paid ($176, tax included). The airlines are running a tight ship these days. Frontier still has sales, but that probably won't help you unless you live in Colorado (or are flying to Colorado).
Originally Posted By homedisney It takes us about 40 - 45 minutes to get to Disneyland from Ontario. I don't know how much the taxi is, but perhaps they have flat rate. I haven't been there for a little while, but I do remember it being a nice, uncrowded airport. Our rental car was through Avis for $159.99 for a 4 door compact for 8 days.
Originally Posted By mrspotts Thanks for all the suggestions- I appreciate them! I ended up booking today, on our preferred flights into Orange County, for $309/pp. This was the $361 fare (of course, the flight times we wanted formed the most expensive combination offered!) less 15% that I got using an e-certificate. The certificates are being offered by Meier and Frank (I think this is Marshall Fields outside of Oregon?) today at their Washington Square store grand reopening. So, we saved over $50 per person, $200 something in all, which made it a LITTLE more palatable. Still twice as much as we paid last Christmas, but oh well. What're you gonna do? Nothing left to do but wait for 33 more days!!!!
Originally Posted By mrspotts Oh, I ruled out Ontario because we would have eaten up the savings renting a car we don't really need, and the other transport options from airport to DLR were more expensive, as well. It was a good thought.
Originally Posted By mrspotts Oh, thank you, thank you iBob and others for advising me to book right away! Just for kicks, checked the fares tonight- Portland to Orange Co, round trip, early Tues morning and return Saturday evening, is now at $427.00. That would have been even more of an "OUCH"....
