What's up with air fares?
 

I'm trying to get tickets for a ski trip in early Dec. Last year we paid $189.00 round trip (Austin to Montrose Co.). This year the best I can find is $315.00. The $189.00 was very good and I did not expect to get them that cheap, but I thought $250.00 would be about right. I thought the airlines and the travel business was hurting! In past years prices have gotten better after Thanksgiving but I'm afraid the seats will all be sold by then. Anyone in the airline or travel business give me some clues?

Thanks, Jerry

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Hello Jerry,

I fly for business almost every week....and this is the scoop:

The airlines still have empty seats, but are holding the prices. Instead of droping prices, they have cut back on the number of flights...drastically.

I flew to London 5 weeks ago for $8xx.xx, and just got tickets to leave this coming Sunday...only $21xx.xx. It just doesn't make sense, but those of us who travel for business, will pay whatever it takes! :(

...Dwight...

It isn't going for the payroll. Price of Jetfuel is down. Airlines cashing big Government checks. 2nd installment due. And some airlines asking for paycuts while adding to the countrys unemployment.

Jerry, I don't know if Southwest goes to Montrose Co, but maybe Fly and Drive.
Southwest seems to be the only Airline with its head still attached.

Jim

The prices are going to rise in the future as well to cover the added taxation associated with the government takeover of airport security.

Yep. There's a big spot in the Nevada desert where most of the major domestic airlines are parking their airplanes - it's cheaper for them to store than to leave in service.

Jerry, unfortunately Soutwest dosen't go to CO.....Yet. If you change your destination to Reno/Tahoe SWA will get you there for $89 each way, one stop in PHX.http://www.skiheavenly.com http://www.skiheavenly.com/images/ski_flair.jpg

Jerry, just throw the ski's in the back. It's only 1100 miles.

That's about a 12 hour drive in a Lightning.

Fares on Oct. 30, 2001
 

Hurry an look now, Air Tran will fly you anywhere one way for $36 and Delta will fly you most anywhere for $31 one way. But it is today only. I just deleted the email or I would give you the link.
Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

Jerry,

Just a sugestion, Southwest goes to Salt Lake City. Airport is 30 min drive to either Alta, Snowbird, or Park City. Most Seasons Salt Lake has 100 inches more snow than CO. by early Dec Leave Austin in the a.m. and be skiing by noon.

Jim

Thanks for the info guy's. Yes Southwest is the only airline that has a clue!

Reno is a great town and the nearby sking is great, so is Snowbird, Park City and Alta, but once you have been to Telluride all others pale in comparison! No lift lines (last year we went two weeks before Christmas and practically had the whole place to ourselves) great snow, you don't need (or want) a car, and the place we stayed is kick ass (The Franz Klammer Lodge). It's maybe 100 yards to the lifts and they have ski valet so once you get there you never have to carry you skis again. They pick you up at the airport and bring you back when your stay is over. By the way the town of Telluride (and that whole aera of S.W. Colorado) is in my opinion one of the most beautiful places on earth!

I had a friend check on the flights I want and he told me only 23 of the 125 seats have been sold on the flight out and less than that for the return flight. Wonder why they won't make some deals?


Thanks, Jerry

OK, here's a dumb question.....have you tried www.priceline.com ? That's the only way i'll ever buy airline tickets again.

Ill_SVT, I have never tried the priceline deal but what if you end up getting a flight with 4 or 5 hour lay-overs? I don't want over one stop and not over a 2 hour lay-over! I know, I know, I want alot. There is a flight from Houston (non stop) but if I use priceline they could put me on United and I would have to go through Denver with a 4 hour lay-over and would not get into Montrose until around 9:00 PM. Also I would have to drive to H town and back (around 300 miles round trip). What makes no sense is it's only $5.00 less to fly from H town than it is from Austin! I'll just wait a little longer and hope they get hungry.



Jerry

Jerry,

I can understand your feelings there. I can tell you though that i've used priceline about 5 or 6 times and have never had a layover of more than an hour or so, which is pretty typical of most any flight. All these flights were from San Francisco to Pensacola, Florida. As long as you can be flexible during the days you arrive and depart, you can't beat their deals. In my experience anyway. Good luck however you decide to go.

Hey Jerry, I happen to be a Texan by heritage and all of my remaining Texas relatives now live in Steamboat Springs CO. And there's one thing they always say, "If God wanted Texans to ski He would have made bull***** white!":D