15 replies to this topic

[clayton86]

What's the best site to buy plane tickets. I'm supposed to get leave in a few weeks and will need to get a plane ticket but iv never had to book my own flight so idk where to even look to compare and have drawn a blank from all the commercials on tv about it.

[deaknh03]

I got mine a couple of weeks ago from Expedia, I shopped all the sites and they gave me the best deal. Good luck.

[grimlin]

yeah shop around....I've used priceline.com a few times.

Priceline,expedia,travelocity, cheapflights. Just to name a few..

[Fishing Rhino]

From where? To where?

If Southwest serves those hubs, and you book it when they open up the flights for your time frame, you can get some great deals.

When we fly, we fly Southwest. They are the number one airline for being on time, for departures and arrivals. Some claim you are herded like cattle on Southwest, but that's not accurate. They do not have assigned seats. Pick your own from what is available.

You can print your boarding pass(es) 24 hours prior to your flight's scheduled departure. The quicker you get on line with them the sooner you get to board. However, for an additional ten dollars, when you book your flight you will get on ahead of those who check in on line. When we fly with our daughter to Daytona or where ever, we pay the ten bucks on one ticket. That person gets on early, picks out a seat and holds the other two seats 'til they board.

Never seen a hassle about seating. It's odd, though the earlier boarders tend to grab the forward seats, Southwest still loads the passengers faster than the other airlines which board from the back first.

One other important consideration. You can check in two pieces of luggage, plus have a carry on with no additional charges. Other airlines charge you for all checked in luggage starting with the first piece. Some give you one, and charge you for additional check in luggage.

Be sure to factor that in to the total price of your tickets.

We have yet to find an airline that beats the price for Southwest, provided you book early enough to get in on the specials they offer. I've flown non-stop from Providence RI to Phoenix AZ for 99 bucks each way. Granted, that was a few years ago, but the closest price to that was 350 dollars round trip.

[clayton86]

I'd be flying from camp Shelby Mississippi to buffalo new york there is a small airport just off post but none of them sites pull it up

[Fishing Rhino]

I just checked Southwest. They serve both Jackson, Mississippi, and Buffalo,NY. Looks to be a hundred or more mile jaunt to Jackson from Camp Shelby. But still, that's a two hour or so drive. If you do book a flight, be sure to tell them you are a serviceman, on active duty. You may be eligible for special rates.

[Glenn]

You may also want to check farecompare.com - not only to compare rates, but there's some great tips on getting good rates on the site.

[SirSnookalot]

Kayak, they check all the sites.

A tip for the future. We have a Southwest Visa credit card, we have received 4 free tickets for using their card over the last couple of years.

[Fishing Rhino]

Kayak, they check all the sites.

A tip for the future. We have a Southwest Visa credit card, we have received 4 free tickets for using their card over the last couple of years.

Excellent point. We have three rewards cards including Southwest. All offer special rewards for using their cards throughout the year. Sometimes it's double or even triple points for dining out, fuel purchases, hotel stays, etc.

We are on vacation, getting a 3% discount on gasoline purchases. That's a savings of at least ten cents per gallon. It wil save us at least 25 dollars.

We pay attention to what card is offering what, and use accordingly.


We use them for most of our purchases, including groceries, and pay them off in full every month. It's amazing the amount of "rewards" you get provided you discipline yourself not to use them to get things you want, but do not have the means to clear the slate each month.

[A-Jay]

Some sites are not very user friendly - I just booked 4 flight for this June using priceline.com.
I was on 4 different sites simultaneously, and though each listed the very same flights, priceline gave up the best prices. Might not be the case every time, but that was the deal here.

A-Jay

[clayton86]

Well our leave dates are set in stone so to speak. Im not getting a plane home I'm driving the 20hrs. 7 of us rented a van and are splittin the cost to go home.

20hrs seems alot but it's no headaches an we will beat te people flying home home anyways. Here are the reasons

Leave is at 1800(6pm)Friday but there is no trans till midnight Friday so we get a 6hr jump on them right there the airport is 2.5 hrs away Avis is 8 blocks down the road we will walk to get the van. There's another 2.5 hrs added in our favor by the time everyone else is getting to the airport we will be almost half home. The soonest flight didn't leave till 6:25 in the morning and they all had layovers in either Atlanta or houston and wouldent be in ny till 1235 at the earliest providing there are no delays.

So not only am I cutting a huge expense because the van was 179 then gas were figuring a little over 200 at the most maybe more let's say 300 that's only 479 at the very worst then split 7 ways tickets were 412 a piece and in most the tickets left wernt getting home till late Saturday night.

So now all I have to do is get a one way back arriving here in Mississippi no later then 11:59 the following Friday as long as my ticket is befor then I'm good. That's maximizing my time home with the kids and warm bed with a wife in it. I'll get 5 full days home. Maybe I'll get some fishing in well I'm home as well.

[A-Jay]

Well our leave dates are set in stone so to speak. Im not getting a plane home I'm driving the 20hrs. 7 of us rented a van and are splittin the cost to go home.

20hrs seems alot but it's no headaches an we will beat te people flying home home anyways. Here are the reasons

Leave is at 1800(6pm)Friday but there is no trans till midnight Friday so we get a 6hr jump on them right there the airport is 2.5 hrs away Avis is 8 blocks down the road we will walk to get the van. There's another 2.5 hrs added in our favor by the time everyone else is getting to the airport we will be almost half home. The soonest flight didn't leave till 6:25 in the morning and they all had layovers in either Atlanta or houston and wouldent be in ny till 1235 at the earliest providing there are no delays.

So not only am I cutting a huge expense because the van was 179 then gas were figuring a little over 200 at the most maybe more let's say 300 that's only 479 at the very worst then split 7 ways tickets were 412 a piece and in most the tickets left wernt getting home till late Saturday night.

So now all I have to do is get a one way back arriving here in Mississippi no later then 11:59 the following Friday as long as my ticket is befor then I'm good. That's maximizing my time home with the kids and warm bed with a wife in it. I'll get 5 full days home. Maybe I'll get some fishing in well I'm home as well.

Sounds like you have it figured out - Please Read the next paragraph - * - * - ! !

I lost two very dear friends in two separate fatal crashes when the driver fell as sleep at the wheel drive home to start leave.
It only takes a second to nod off. Ensure that you guys watch out for each other during the 20 hr drive back.
Make a Plan and stick to it. Know which TWO people will be awake AT ALL TIMES; Not just the driver.
It sounds simple but it makes no sense to "just Wing it". My friend's did - and it was the worst and last decision of their lives.

Stay Safe

A-Jay

I

[clayton86]

We got it figured out 4hr shifts regardless of how well you claim u did 10hr convoys non stop in Afghanistan. Every 4 hours we will stop stretch rotate and go cuz let's face it 6 guys in a mini van plus a bag each it's gonna be packed. I originally thought we were going with 7 but it's 6.

[TomB]

Using momondo.com from airport code PIB to BUF the round trip is about $570. (Hattiesburg,MS to Buffalo)
Driving the 2200 miles round trip will be about $500 gas plus about $400 van rental. Call and ask for minimum rental age. Some are 26 years old.
Militaryfares.com has fares for about $440
I suggest you call Delta (800) 325-8224 and get the reservations person and ask for special fares for active servicemen. Worst case is you can see if driving is worth it.

My son in law spent time in Kandahar. Thanks for your service!

[clayton86]

It's 1200 miles and the van was 180