Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

toddmc

Aug 17, 2004, 1:17 PM

Post #1 of 15 (2187 views)

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Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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Hello

I have been looking at Expedia and Travelocity websites for flight information and pricing.

I have only booked online once, and it was a positive experience, but would like to make sure I am getting the best value.

I would like to hear back from any of you who would care to share your experiences with online travel sites.

Should I be looking elsewhere or does Expedia and /or travelocity have it all?

What are your favorite travel sites?

Do you have any tips and tricks that can improve dealing with these sites?

Thanks

Todd McIntosh

*************************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

(This post was edited by toddmc on Aug 18, 2004, 8:53 AM)

johanson

Aug 17, 2004, 1:59 PM

Post #2 of 15 (2170 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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Todd:

I also look at http://travel.yahoo.com/ I don't know if one is better than the other

NEOhio

Aug 17, 2004, 2:38 PM

Post #3 of 15 (2164 views)

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Re: flights out of Chicago Midway

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I found great flights out of Midway Chicago on ATA - $129-$149 one way. We use Southwest out of Cleveland to get to Midway - usually $80 Roundtrip.

Lots of freebie travel out there after a couple of trips.

johnv

Aug 17, 2004, 5:53 PM

Post #4 of 15 (2154 views)

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Re: [NEOhio] flights out of Chicago Midway

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I just checked ATA, and Guadalajara to NYC roundtrip was US$390. I recently flew Leon to NYC roundtrip and it was US$595 roundtrip, using Expedia's lowest fare, on Continental. Quite the savings! However, it's a shame that ATA only departs from Guadalajara, Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, and Cancun. I just checked a flight from Leon (my local airport) to Guadalajara using Expedia and it was US$633. Unbeleivable.

mkdutch

Aug 17, 2004, 9:14 PM

Post #5 of 15 (2141 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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I think you just need to keep checking at multiple web sites.

In June I had to make a quick trip from Guad to Minneapolis (family emergency). I checked Expedia and Travelocity, and found that Continental had the lowest rates on both sites. I then went to the Continental web site, thinking that the direct booking at the air line would be cheaper. NOT!!!

The travelocity rate was about $100 cheaper for the round trip. So it just depends on where you are going, and when you need to go. Just keep checking.

Kay

ps...I have used travelocity several times, and have never had a problem.

Marlene

Aug 17, 2004, 11:23 PM

Post #6 of 15 (2134 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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I do online travel reservations directly with the airlines now that I live in Mexico. Less room for error and MUCH easier to fix or change itineraries.

jennifer rose

Aug 18, 2004, 6:08 AM

Post #7 of 15 (2118 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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It's best to check out a variety of online travel sites, including the airlines' own sites. And to check with a brick-and-mortar travel agent.

Some sites' hidden charges make those discounts elusive. Those living in Mexico with a Mexican billing address for their credit cards may find themselves left out in the cold by these sites.

I make about ten roundtrip flights a year to the US, and I've found better deals using a human travel agent in Morelia. I select my itinerary online, check the prices, and call her to make the reservation. And she almost always is able to secure a fare which is sufficiently less than shown online, more than making up for the $150 M.N. she has to charge for writing a ticket, and she sends a messenger with the ticket to my door within the day.

esperanza

Aug 18, 2004, 7:25 AM

Post #8 of 15 (2101 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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My experience is the same as JR's--minus the messenger; I still have to go pick up my ticket at the travel agency. I usually check www.bestfares.com or look directly at the airlines to choose an itinerary, and my travel agent is always able to beat the prices I find.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Frank Burton

Aug 18, 2004, 4:51 PM

Post #9 of 15 (2067 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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Another site that has found me the best deal several times recently is Cheaptickets.com, and they recently beat a brick-and-mortar agent's one-way fare from Guadalajara to Ontario Calif.

Anytime you're traveling wholely within the States, check to see if Southwest serves your origin and destination--they set the low fares in most markets that they serve. Many of the general online sites do not show Southwest schedules, so it's good to go to their site which is either Southwest.com or Iflyswa.com.

Another thing to watch if you're eligible for senior fares--some of the general sites and specific airline sites do not list senior fares, so one can sometimes get a lower fare by a call to the airlines' 800 number.

rockydog85251

Aug 19, 2004, 12:46 PM

Post #10 of 15 (2018 views)

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Re: [Frank Burton] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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When purchasing tickets from someone like Cheaptickets, make SURE you understand the restrictions! Many
of these discounters allow NO changes or refunds, even in the case of the death of the passenger. Remember,
the cheaper the fare, the more restrictions you are likely to have to deal with.

Willie
Willie

toddmc

Aug 23, 2004, 8:24 AM

Post #11 of 15 (1969 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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Hello

Just this weekend we have booked our trip.

Keep in mind we are in canada, so the pricing is in Canadian Dollars.

This is our Itinerary

Vancouver, Canada to Puerto Vallarta

Returning 3 weeks later to Vancouver but flying out of Leon Guanajuato.

For the dates I was looking for Expedia had a price of 1098 per person including taxes.

Travelocity had a price of 1190 per person including taxes.

Then we came accross a canadian site www.hume-travel.com

We got a price of 776 per person

So between my wife and I we saved 622-828 Can$

I dont know if you can book from the US, but it may be worth check out.

Look out Mexico, here we come!

*************************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

pathall

Aug 23, 2004, 8:51 AM

Post #12 of 15 (1964 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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If you fly from Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta, can you stay longer than 3 weeks?

Edmonton, Alberta
Pat

johanson

Aug 23, 2004, 9:49 AM

Post #13 of 15 (1954 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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When not in Ajijic, I live half way between the Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA airports. So I always check the prices from these two cities to Guadalajara and occasionally to PV. Usually the tourist class rates are much cheaper out of Seattle than Vancouver. Usually business and First Class rates are much cheaper out of Vancouver. Often the difference is several hundred dollars.

If it is practical for you to leave from one of several airports, especially if there is an international border concerned, often you can save several hundred dollars by doing so. So check it out.

mreteguiz

Aug 25, 2004, 1:17 PM

Post #14 of 15 (1899 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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Todd - I have used Traveocity extensively. They have a great service that will alert you by email if the price of a ticket goes up or down by $25.00. You will find there are blackout dates, but if you don't care what day you fly, it might be good for you.

I have just booked a flight into Guardalajara, directly through Delta. The airlines are getting smart and giving the deals that these services are known for.

Hope this helps.

Maria

Donita

Aug 30, 2004, 10:49 PM

Post #15 of 15 (1849 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Best Air travel Internet Site? Online Bookings

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Most tickets are etickets now, no need to show up with a paper ticket. You can print it out at the airport before even checking in. I usually print it out from my computer before leaving for the airport. I get in the web check in line and it is usually empty or very short.
Donita