Airfare General Costs and Tips to find lower fares

[wilson49332]

A lot of people ask me what should they plan to spend in Europe. Well this can be explained in Ivy's sticky post. But- I would like to cover what you should plan to spend to get there for a flight.


This solely depends on when you plan to go, not really too much on where you plan to go and from what area in the US, although that does have some bearing.

So heres my thoughts after successfully helping over 100 people find a flight to Europe:

November 1-March 1: Cheap time!
West Coast except LA: 450-650
LA:400-600
East Coast except the Metro area and Chicago: 450-650
New York/Washington/Boston/Chicago: 350-550

March 2- May 1:
West Coast except LA:550-750
LA:600-800
East Coast except the Metro area and Chicago:550-750
New York/Washington/Boston/Chicago:500-700

May 2- September 10: (Yes they know that Labor Day is a popular travel time in the US!): Most expensive time
West Coast except LA:950-1250
LA:850-1050
East Coast except the Metro area and Chicago:850-1200
New York/Washington/Boston/Chicago:750-1000

September 11- October 31:
See Spring Prices

Tips:

-Always check to see if you cant get a cheaper flight to London, then from there you can buy a separate ticket on a cheap airline like Ryan Air etc as costs to London from the states is always the cheapest. Then once there, have another ticket to wherever you need to go.
-Check the airlines sales.
-Check several times over the period of a few months
-Plan way ahead,
-Check all the websites you find including here
-Fly midweek Tue/Wed if possible
-Fly out of larger cities- larger the better as the competition is higher
-Always check the box that says check surrounding airports- sometimes the neighbors are cheaper. This works well when you can travel 100 miles or so to another airport. Just make sure your gas cost to that airport is less then the savings.
-Always play with dates a little- sometimes other days are cheaper. Some websites even allow you to check the box flexible with dates. If you are, then check it.

Airlines to Avoid unless desperate:
-Air India- well cheap, but planes are old, you get what you pay for. Meal is salty and tastes horrid, people are nasty, and it smells bad!
-US Airways- well I didnt have an issue with them on my flight to London, but I have heard that there food sucks, and the service is rude.

Beloved Airlines:
-Air Canada- (Most any major airport in US)- yes itll include a stopover in Toronto, but the food and service has always been good to me, movies are good, and the miles go to any Star Alliance member like US and United. Also, they have many student airfare prices and are usually the cheaper major airline option. My flight was canceled, the last of the day one night. So one call and no yelling, they rebooked me on US- which was excellent because US was nonstop- no connecting in Canada!
-British Airways- (Any major airport in US, but will use United and connect in Chicago, Boston, Phily, NYC, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, LA, San Fran, Seattle, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver)- well its expensive usually, but leather seats and your own direct tv screen are perks and food is awesome!
-If you live in Canada or can fly to Canada first then to Europe (rather then into London, check seats to Toronto and a separate ticket to Europe.) Zoom Airways (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, etc...)- verrrry cheap- your looking at around 400 anytime round trip.
-Virgin Airways (Vegas, New York JFK, Orlando, Boston, DC, Miami, San Fran, LA, and Newark)- well its expensive usually, but leather seats and your own direct tv screen are perks and food is awesome!
-Lufthansa- service out of most major airports to Frankfurt, Germany. Leather seats, good food even on short hauls.

I took United to London, it wasn't bad. There movie screen broke, so they gave everyone 75 dollar flight vouchers. Um also, I have taken Northwest domestic, and there flights are usually cheaper. Never taken Continental or Delta or American so I cant say much about them. Delta may need to be watched with the issues they are having with budget.

As always this is just my idea, don't take it personal. You may find something cheaper- food for you. Need help, post your info and I will see what I can find for you- I am a pro at this stuff hence the reason I am a mod.