| Author | Post |
|---|
luvmytbear
Casual Cruiser
| Joined: | Tue Aug 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Iowa USA |
| Posts: | 357 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 07:18 am | 1st Post |
|
We're looking for a flight from MLI to TPA, January 11 departure, 17th return. I have used all the sites that everyone has suggested, like Kayak, Sidestep, Yapta, Priceline, Cheap Air, etc...
Since we're once again leaving Iowa in January, I am trying to avoid stops in the Northern areas. The only flights I am able to find that do not stop in Detroit, Minneapolis, or Indianapolis are up in the $400-$600 range. I didn't pay that much for airfare from MLI to SJU last January!!
Is there a way that I don't know about to search out flights with stops at more southern airports, like Memphis or (oh help me) Atlanta? I'd rather be held up in Atlanta than stuck in the snow in Minnesota! lol
The more reasonably priced flights I've found have 5-6pm departure times from Tampa or don't arrive in Tampa until midnight on the 12th. That's not working either!
Should I be looking at maybe trying to find one way flights for the trip down and book another one way for the trip back? Is that going to sink me more money or cause me any type of trouble?
I'm so darn confuggled! I need a beer....
____________________
Lora
First cruise, Wedding and Honeymoon
Carnival Destiny 12/30/07
Next up, Cruisin' with the Kids!
Carnival Inspiration 1/12/09
I might be a little bit loco, but it keeps me from losing my mind.
|
luvmytbear
Casual Cruiser
| Joined: | Tue Aug 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Iowa USA |
| Posts: | 357 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 09:06 am | 2nd Post |
|
| Still searching..maybe I'm trying to book too early? Also, I was able to find a decent fare from AirTran through Orbitz but when I go to the AirTran website, it says those dates aren't available?
____________________
Lora
First cruise, Wedding and Honeymoon
Carnival Destiny 12/30/07
Next up, Cruisin' with the Kids!
Carnival Inspiration 1/12/09
I might be a little bit loco, but it keeps me from losing my mind.
|
Catnip
Charter Member
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 12:54 pm | 3rd Post |
|
Geez, I don't know, Lora. It's not too early to be planning. Are there a lot of airlines flying those 2 cities? Have you tried going to the airlines websites? Sometimes they have more flights listed in their own sites.
And where is MLI?
Last edited on Mon Mar 10th, 2008 12:54 pm by Catnip
____________________
32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
Don't touch that triangle!
Adopt a pet from your local shelter & save a life!
|
BorisBadenov
Founders
| Joined: | Sat Jun 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 427 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 01:26 pm | 4th Post |
|
| I imagine that you are still too early for a next January flight to actually see all of your options. It doesn't hurt to look know, but don't expect to see all of the actual options for a while.
____________________
Must kill Moose and Squirrel
|
OceanGirl
Founders
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 01:34 pm | 5th Post |
|
from $257.00 + $46.00 taxes & fees = $303.00 per person
6:05 am Depart Moline (MLI)
Arrive Tampa (TPA) 12:04 pm Sat 10-Jan
Duration: 4hr 59mn  Northwest  5716 / 878
Connect in Memphis (MEM)
$310.00 + $47.00 taxes & fees = $357.00 per person
6:00 am Depart Moline (MLI)
Arrive Tampa (TPA) 11:28 am Sat 10-Jan
Duration: 4hr 28mn  Delta 4376 / 1093
Connect in Atlanta (Hartsfield Intl.)
$310.00 + $47.00 taxes & fees = $357.00 per person
11:05 am Depart Moline (MLI)
Arrive Tampa (TPA) 4:59 pm Sat 10-Jan
Duration: 4hr 54mn Delta 4309 / 947
Connect in Atlanta (Hartsfield Intl.)
I found these on Expedia............Looks like if you want to travel the day of the cruise, you could connect thru either Memphis or Atlanta and get to Tampa around noon.
Or you could go the evening before and get to Tampa around 5pm and have time for a nice dinner. All above flights are around $300.
____________________
DOLPHIN- A FREE roaming mammal found throughout the world's oceans. There are no confines large enough to justify CAPTIVITY.
http://www.inkokomo.com/dolphin/captivity.html
http://www.bluevoice.org/Videos/expose.mov
|
Brangwen
Mosquito
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 02:38 pm | 6th Post |
|
I agree about Atlanta... go with memphis!
But yeah, I wouldn't book yet - chances are in the next few months a lot of the flights will be combined like they always do.... and you may get stuck with a northern route.
On a different note - it's good to see that it's not just Missouri that has astronomical flight prices to the southern areas, wtf is up with this?? 
____________________
~I'm the root of all that's evil, yeah but you can call me cookie~
|
shoreguy
Charter Member
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 02:49 pm | 7th Post |
|
Brangwen wrote: I agree about Atlanta... go with memphis!
But yeah, I wouldn't book yet - chances are in the next few months a lot of the flights will be combined like they always do.... and you may get stuck with a northern route.
On a different note - it's good to see that it's not just Missouri that has astronomical flight prices to the southern areas, wtf is up with this??
Once NW and Delt merge all the options above will change. My bet the prices go up with no competitive options. 
____________________
“I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead.” Jimmy Buffett
NCL Jade,Gem,Pearl,Jewel,Dawn,Sun Pics
http://community.webshots.com/user/jimalaska
|
luvmytbear
Casual Cruiser
| Joined: | Tue Aug 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Iowa USA |
| Posts: | 357 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 07:12 pm | 8th Post |
|
Thanks guys! I even tried pricing out of ORD to see if it would be cheaper to take a drive to Chicago and go from there. It wasn't enough to justify a 2 hour drive  I checked Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Dubuque as well.
I'm a little apprehensive about flying in the day of the cruise (OK a LOT apprehensive) between the weather possibilities and traveling with the kids.
American, Delta, Northwest, AirTran, and United fly out of MLI.
I'll keep playing on Expedia. I'll also keep checking AirTran to see why those flights aren't showing up on their website. Thanks!
On a good note, the Delta flight I'm watching on Yapta went down $6 pp. Yay, $6!! lol
____________________
Lora
First cruise, Wedding and Honeymoon
Carnival Destiny 12/30/07
Next up, Cruisin' with the Kids!
Carnival Inspiration 1/12/09
I might be a little bit loco, but it keeps me from losing my mind.
|
bsdmhutch
Charter Member
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 08:12 pm | 9th Post |
|
Lora,
Sign up on http://www.airfarewatchdog.com too. Shelly (Timmy's Mom) turned me onto this one. You can get daily emails and they cover all sorts of airlines (including Southwest and Skybus).
____________________
Stephanie
Insulin is NOT a cure....it's LIFE SUPPORT!
|
luvmytbear
Casual Cruiser
| Joined: | Tue Aug 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Iowa USA |
| Posts: | 357 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 08:37 pm | 10th Post |
|
| Thanks! This link led me to some $180ish RT tickets fro Chicago but just not yet for my dates. Up to November 30th though, so it's close! Last edited on Mon Mar 10th, 2008 08:38 pm by luvmytbear
____________________
Lora
First cruise, Wedding and Honeymoon
Carnival Destiny 12/30/07
Next up, Cruisin' with the Kids!
Carnival Inspiration 1/12/09
I might be a little bit loco, but it keeps me from losing my mind.
|
hstrybuf
Founders
| Joined: | Sat Jun 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas |
| Posts: | 19706 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Wed Mar 12th, 2008 02:11 am | 11th Post |
|
| Good luck Lora! I know it's hard to wait, but it might be worth it to your pocketbook. Great link there Steph!
____________________
Deb - Research, research, research!
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
Liberty 10/07; Miracle 10/06; Navigator OTS 10/04; Legend 04/04; Grand Princess 09/03; Dawn Princess 01/03; Enchantment OTS 10/02; Destiny 01/02; Sensation 10/99
|
JenDalessan
Super Cruiser
| Joined: | Sun Jul 29th, 2007 |
| Location: | Western New York |
| Posts: | 1040 |
| Status: |
Online
|
back to top
|
Posted: Wed Mar 12th, 2008 02:26 am | 12th Post |
|
| be patient....and make sure you also check the low cost sites directly (southwest.com, Airtrain.com...etc) My husband is the airfare guy and he waits it out. We always get a great fare eventually.
____________________
|
luvmytbear
Casual Cruiser
| Joined: | Tue Aug 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Iowa USA |
| Posts: | 357 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Wed Mar 12th, 2008 05:38 am | 13th Post |
|
Ah...patience. I'm normally not an anxious type of person but I also am one that likes to wrap up my loose ends. I called AirTran today and they said to call at the end of the month and fares should be out. I'm still checking Southwest to see what comes up.
I did finally get our dolphin encounter booked the way I wanted to. I just called instead of using the website and they put us in the 1:00 slot instead of the 3:30. I also got a hotel booked and think I got a pretty good deal. I emailed Moby Dick for the stingray excursion and he said he wished everyone thought ahead like I did, but they don't have a schedule that far in advance. So all is not lost in my quest to plan ahead! lol
____________________
Lora
First cruise, Wedding and Honeymoon
Carnival Destiny 12/30/07
Next up, Cruisin' with the Kids!
Carnival Inspiration 1/12/09
I might be a little bit loco, but it keeps me from losing my mind.
|
TheWog
Charter Member
back to top
|
Posted: Wed Mar 12th, 2008 03:59 pm | 14th Post |
|
| I wonder if http://www.farecast.com might help. It watches fares for your airport to destination cities and notifies you of deals and such.
____________________
Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps.
Where's my frozen umbrella drink?
Ice cream should be a food group.
|
luvmytbear
Casual Cruiser
| Joined: | Tue Aug 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Iowa USA |
| Posts: | 357 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Wed Mar 12th, 2008 05:43 pm | 15th Post |
|
TheWog wrote: I wonder if http://www.farecast.com might help. It watches fares for your airport to destination cities and notifies you of deals and such.
I tried Farecast but they don't support MLI as a departure airport or Tampa as a return airport. I voted for them to include them though! :)
Yapta just notified me that two of the flights I'm watching have come down. One of them had come down $50 pp, but that was out of ORD. We're trying to avoid the drive if possible. The other came down $23 pp. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come!
Last edited on Wed Mar 12th, 2008 05:48 pm by luvmytbear
____________________
Lora
First cruise, Wedding and Honeymoon
Carnival Destiny 12/30/07
Next up, Cruisin' with the Kids!
Carnival Inspiration 1/12/09
I might be a little bit loco, but it keeps me from losing my mind.
|
hstrybuf
Founders
| Joined: | Sat Jun 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | Kansas |
| Posts: | 19706 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Thu Mar 13th, 2008 12:26 am | 16th Post |
|
luvmytbear wrote: Ah...patience. I'm normally not an anxious type of person but I also am one that likes to wrap up my loose ends. I called AirTran today and they said to call at the end of the month and fares should be out. I'm still checking Southwest to see what comes up.
I did finally get our dolphin encounter booked the way I wanted to. I just called instead of using the website and they put us in the 1:00 slot instead of the 3:30. I also got a hotel booked and think I got a pretty good deal. I emailed Moby Dick for the stingray excursion and he said he wished everyone thought ahead like I did, but they don't have a schedule that far in advance. So all is not lost in my quest to plan ahead! lol
I totally understand the loose ends thing. When I plan a vacation, I want all my ducks in a row as soon as possible so I can take care of other things. Like packing! 
Glad to hear you got the dolphin encounter booked! I posted about that on another thread. Was I close on the cost? Just curious, not trying to pry. Yes or no will answer the question.  Watch out for the sales pitches afterward. They have pictures, videos and all kinds of souvenirs. I had to have the video and a few pictures because I figured I'd never do something like that again.
____________________
Deb - Research, research, research!
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
Liberty 10/07; Miracle 10/06; Navigator OTS 10/04; Legend 04/04; Grand Princess 09/03; Dawn Princess 01/03; Enchantment OTS 10/02; Destiny 01/02; Sensation 10/99
|
luvmytbear
Casual Cruiser
| Joined: | Tue Aug 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Iowa USA |
| Posts: | 357 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Posted: Thu Mar 13th, 2008 05:14 am | 17th Post |
|
hstrybuf wrote: luvmytbear wrote: Ah...patience. I'm normally not an anxious type of person but I also am one that likes to wrap up my loose ends. I called AirTran today and they said to call at the end of the month and fares should be out. I'm still checking Southwest to see what comes up.
I did finally get our dolphin encounter booked the way I wanted to. I just called instead of using the website and they put us in the 1:00 slot instead of the 3:30. I also got a hotel booked and think I got a pretty good deal. I emailed Moby Dick for the stingray excursion and he said he wished everyone thought ahead like I did, but they don't have a schedule that far in advance. So all is not lost in my quest to plan ahead! lol
I totally understand the loose ends thing. When I plan a vacation, I want all my ducks in a row as soon as possible so I can take care of other things. Like packing!
Glad to hear you got the dolphin encounter booked! I posted about that on another thread. Was I close on the cost? Just curious, not trying to pry. Yes or no will answer the question. Watch out for the sales pitches afterward. They have pictures, videos and all kinds of souvenirs. I had to have the video and a few pictures because I figured I'd never do something like that again.
Ah, packing! The best part of getting ready to cruise! lol I'm just happy we don't have to lug a wedding dress and all the wedding stuff this time. We'll probably make it there with the same amount of suitcases, but adding three people! :) We checked three bags for two people last time plus we each had a carry on. That was just bad!
I'll share the pricing so that maybe the info can help someone else down the road. Pretty close! Booked through them directly, it was $77.8 pp for me and DH, $64.50 ppfor my two oldest and my youngest was free. This includes transportation to and from the park since we booked 4+ people. Not bad at all!
I did see they offer the videos and such. I will probably be a sucker and at least get a few photos and the video so that the kids will have it to remember their day by. We might venture into the actual swim someday when the kids are older, but that might not happen!
____________________
Lora
First cruise, Wedding and Honeymoon
Carnival Destiny 12/30/07
Next up, Cruisin' with the Kids!
Carnival Inspiration 1/12/09
I might be a little bit loco, but it keeps me from losing my mind.
|
Current time is 02:48 am | |
|
