Help! Anybody know how I can get a cheaper R/T plane ticket...

[Breeze54]

to Midway in Chicago, for Wednesday morning?

Cheapest I can find is $536, including one night at a hotel,
plus ground transportation and meals!

I need a LOT cheaper!!! (lol, I know I'm dreaming!)

I need practical advice, if you've got it!!

Thanks!

[cally]

1. Check out lastminutetravel.com

and also check the websites of airlines. Sometimes they offer deals only at their own website. Good luck.

[Breeze54]

2. Thanks for the tip...

I never heard of that before...looking now...

[Breeze54]

11. Ok...it's about the same ...

...without a hotel room..argh!

Tickets: $407.44
Taxes/Fees: $70.26
Paper Ticket Fee:
Total: $477.70

[kimpossible]

3. Look on biddingfortravel.com

Good message board on how to get deals on priceline and hotwire, etc. I've had very good luck with their help for hotel deals.

[riderinthestorm]

4. Sometimes, on Travelocity

Instead of choosing "exact dates" select the option for "flexible dates".

Typically they have a range that you can live with. You have to sort through the various airline options they present but I've scored some great deals that way.

Does Southwest fly to Boston? I know they come into Midway. Airtran is another big Midway airline if you want to explore specific airline prices, and they are pretty cheap.

[richabk]

5. $464?

AirTran.
Wed. 4/26 - # 875 - BOS / MDW - 6:30A - 8:18A
Thurs 4/27 - #872 - MDW / BOS - 8:35A - 11:45A

I'm assuming from BOS to MDW leaving Wed (4/27) and returning Thurs (4/28)?
Does it HAVE to be Midway or can it be O'Hare? When do you absolutely have to be there?
Can you leave Tuesday night (if the hotel cost is less than the difference)? Is there
a time on Thursday you need to leave?

[Breeze54]

12. It HAS to be on the 26th...

... My son is flying into Midway at 4 PM, returning HOME from Iraq!!!!

Then they are going to his National Guard base by buses!!!

They arrive at Midway at 4 PM on the 26th...(they won't tell us what Airline!)

I want to be in Midway well before 4 PM on the 26th,
so that I have time to travel to the National Guard HQ's before 4 PM!

I was trying to do a R/T, one day trip but I can't get a return flight in the evening.

I'm leaving from Boston OR Providence Rhode Island, if possible.

[renate]

26. yay! congratulations!!

I'm so glad your son is on his way home!!
:hug:

[Breeze54]

28. Thanks...

I just wanted to be there without going into debt...
I may have to nix it.
He's coming to Boston at the end of May, he says but it would be fun to be there to greet them!!

They're (NG) flying them up from Georgia.

[wicket]

6. Found one way tickets on travelocity.com for $219

Check them out, they may have what you need, and good luck!

[Sammy Pepys]

7. Where are you traveling from? n/t

....

[Breeze54]

13. Either Boston or Providence, RI...

what ever is cheaper... has to be the 26th though!
Arrival at Midway before 2 PM, at the latest!

[havocmom]

8. Pick a name outta the obit page and see about special bereavement fares?

Of course, you may have to shell out some coin for a certified copy of a death certificate to send to the airline after the fact.

[Roland99]

20. Ok, Costanza!

:P

[CabalPowered]

9. Southwest flies into Midway

Should be about half that depending on your departing location.

[capi888]

10. Check out Southwest airlines.

www.iflyswa.com
They usually are the cheapest and the BEST!

[Breeze54]

14. TY...looking now... n/t

[rucky]

18. no bargains on SWA

their one-way pricing and (extremely) limited "promotional fares" makes you think so, but they're just as bad as everyone else.

i wasn't always that way.

[eyesroll]

15. Could you try O'Hare and then take CTA to Midway?

It'll cost you $2, and you can find timetables and transfer points on transitchicago.com.

[Jose Diablo]

16. Try AirTran

http://www.airtran.com/Home.aspx

I generally us Air Tran. They seem to have the best rates from what I have seen.

Edit: For surface transportation, you didn't mention where you were going, but whenever I travel to Chicago, I try to get to the rail station closest to to midway and then from there it's only a couple bucks anywhere in th metro area.

As for a hotel, I kind of like the Holliday Mart Plaza if I'm in the loop. It used to be about $70-80/night. I imagine it is still pretty reasonable if it's about $110-120/night. Reasonable for a decent room in Chicago. Anyway, this is how I wold go about it if going to visit the Hawk.

[Breeze54]

22. Crestwood? Illinois National Guard Headquarters!

I'll check...

AirTran...same day R/T non-stop $219.00
Total Cost of Flight - $457.10

You seem to know the Chicago area...can I get a bus from Crestwood to Midway after 5:30PM?
I wonder how far it is from Crestwood NG HQ's?
:shrug:

Crestwood Armory
13838 South Springfield St
Crestwood, Illinois 60445-0700

[Jose Diablo]

24. As I remember it, the national guard is based right by O'hare

On the road that goes to Des Plains from O'hare. I seem to remember there was a Ramada right next door. There is also a race track not far from there.

Seems to me the road the Ramada was on was Golf Rd. It runs east west. I've walked from O'hare to the Des Plains rail station. It was about a 45 minute walk. And the walk went right by both the guard station and the Ramada. I'd need a map though.

This is way far away from Midway though. Way too far to hoof-it and getting to O'hare from Midway? Exspensive by even a shared limo.

Best way (price wise I mean) to get from Midway to O'hare is rail downtown from Midway then back to O'hare due west.

Edit: I seem to remember the downtown rail station to transfer was the Randolf station, right in the basement of the City/County building for Cook County. That's the way I remember it anyway.

Also, if you go to O'hare via rail, then just walk upstairs in the terminal to the first floor and you will find phones for courtesy vans to all the hotels by the airport. If the ramada is indead the one close by the Guard base, then take the courtesy van to the Ramada. Surface transportation solved.

[Breeze54]

25. I'm not going to O'Hare...I'm going to ...

...Midway. That's closer to Crestwood.

And there's no way I'm hoofing it with a suitcase, at night!! lol

I'm not that young anymore!

Midway is CLOSER to NG HQ's... Crestwood.
3 miles!!

O'Hara is a lot farther north.
Total Est. Time: 44 minutes Total Est. Distance: 33.40 miles

[Jose Diablo]

27. OK, here is mapquest

when in doubt, get a map.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=&city=Crestwood&state=IL&zipcode=

It looks to me like from Midway to Crestwood is a long haul. Maybe a bus?

Midway is right on the edge of Cicero.

I think with mapquest and airtran, you can get there. Good luck.

Edit:Remember most hotel have courtesy vans that can pick you up and take you anyplace, within reason. Thats the cheapest way to get to/from the hotel. A trick of the trade when traveling.

[Breeze54]

29. I did Mapquest and it ...

said Midway to Crestwood is 3 miles!!

It said O'Hara was 33 miles!!

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&rmm=1&pn1x=Chicago+O%27Hare+International+Airport+%28ORD%29&a1x=10000+Bessie+Coleman+Dr&c1x=Chicago&s1x=IL&z1x=60666&2ct=NA&un=m&cl=EN&qq=XdcTfhe4RRVLsI0GT2xIgKpovZA3xkDYgKsXbqfyz5K2u5Er9nzv17WTduby%252bay0SniB2T2kaJvmTbd3jUmEA4rsXaFNIJqHxLRuIYrHS%252beoICIUQK4c5ho06zNQd7yVpl3n7%252fk2cf73EueKJnWZOFmVqw6xb9apfPudIyrn12GiVAf%252fYPe2bHK1FMcZdYUi8CLHuMDiMzjBSknHits%252btJQnSziVutC6Jkhvwax9J%252bid27k9MxhmHOrK4QvtYf9b%252f3eUNal6KSbLSjAAsdt6gPmPmzYjW3p4tgTrsB2lBhOTGU3YvZ%252bMyLOjN2o0MvroKi2JgjXBeB90v0IOjYM1JWKLIs01H8W4eQkmCkY94BJtQX%252fWSSmUFOdRlunngE30HZJmk8GTSENIF78FED%252bjKm248GzJnli4oKH1KyFprCI4cxfNNZ2bFQrfBR1DSA%252bio2rtbZ0n6B7fnPVxHIIPmOxll004h%252brVn4IJx4zlP9Fnrma7yjwWzlkkeFy7S5AgQ%252b04UOZ7cSot%252b3ml%252fhQZz9otwjPKXbg3%252bAWyaNt1dIyZZIC%252fBs2B%252femtvUJoIkVvg7xC%252bDmlbYUZZpaICtk33iW8mrHd0WCvnwAheX%252bBeac%253d&ct=NA&q=National+Guard+Headquarters&rsres=1&1y=US&1ffi=1&1l=DBnR3oQiHrM%3D&1g=2iWFseHk%2BFc%3D&1pl=%28773%29686-2200&1v=ADDRESS&1n=Cook+County&1pn=Chicago+O%27Hare+International+Airport+%28ORD%29&1a=10000+Bessie+Coleman+Dr&1c=Chicago&1s=IL&1z=60666&panelbtn=1&2y=US&2ffi=1&2l=yopjuyAb8wk%253d&2g=3XFL5wjUP70%253d&2pl=708-824-6331&2v=ADDRESS&2n=&2pn=National+Guard&2a=13800+S+Crawford+Ave&2c=Crestwood&2s=IL&2z=60445

[Jose Diablo]

30. When you get the hotel you want from mapquest on Crestwood

then check for courtesy vans to/from midway and the hotel.

[Breeze54]

33. OK..I switched the airport to O'Hara and... $402.40 R/T !!

... you were right!! And someone else here! TY!

AIRTRAN
Departing (Coach)(1 stop Atlanta, Georgia...argh! lol)
Airfare / Adult $143.26
Taxes / Adult (details) $ 31.34
Subtotal / Adult $174.60
X 1 Adult...............$174.60

Returning (Coach)(non-stop)
Airfare / Adult $203.72
Taxes / Adult (details) $24.08
Subtotal / Adult $227.80
X 1 Adult...............$227.80

Total Cost of Flight $402.40

That would be a really quick trip!! LOL!
I would save on hotel but ground trans might offset that and take longer!

[Jose Diablo]

36. It's kinda fun to wing it when traveling

I don't know the best way to go, but it's kinda neat to not know exactly and figure it out as ya go. I've done this a lot. Just travel on the fly, making decisions on the 'best' from that point on.

Sort of a sense of freedom and the unknown.

But if it were me, I'd go into Midway and take a courtesy van to the hotel in Crestwood. That would seem to be the cheapest from a planning standpoint.

[Breeze54]

41. I've 'winged it' before but...

... I can't this trip! It has to be exact times!
I hear what you're saying though...if this was 'just for fun', I would do that!

Thank You for all the help!!! Much appreciated!!
That goes for everyone who made suggestions!!
:)

[rucky]

17. You'll find cheaper tickets to O'Hare

then take the EL or a cab with the money you'll save.

Bigger airport, more airlines, more options.

[Roland99]

19. priceline.com or hotwire.com?

[seemunkee]

21. Try using sidestep

You have to install it and run in IE. www.sidestep.com

[thecrow]

23. bestfares.com? $402

but you'll have to pay a $59 member fee

[Midlodemocrat]

31. $482 on expedia

arriving Wednesday, returning Friday.

I would check O'Hare. Bigger airport, more choices.

Congrats, BTW!!!

[Midlodemocrat]

32. $463 if you go into O'Hare.

[Jeanette in FL]

34. Why don't you call the different airline and explain

the situation: That your son is coming home from serving in Iraq and that you would love to be there when he arrives. You never know, but I think it is worth a shot.

[Breeze54]

35. Ya think?? I would feel weird! lol

I'd feel like I was begging. But it IS an airline!! :sarcasm: LOL!

[flyarm]

38. that is the best advice!!..call the airline..tell them about your son.

and ask if they know if there are cheaper fares..or if there is a time that they release unbooked seats at a cheaper fare..sometimes the airlines will release seats that are empty at a cheaper fare..
but that will not be the case if the loads are heavy..

do not do the bereavement trick the airlines are very aware of people trying that..and if caught the penalties are steap...and that is not right to do that and fuck up those fares for people who really need it..

fly

[Breeze54]

39. OK!! I did it!! lmao....

I called AirTran and told them the situation.
At first they said; "Sorry! We don't have military discount flights."

I rephrased my question and BINGO!!

I got R/T same day Bos to Midway and back --> $327.10 TOTAL!!!

WooHoo!!! It's cutting the time short but is 'doable'!!

I have a confirmation # but I was going to see about return instead on the 27th!

Might give me a little more time with my son....

But if I have to take this one, I will!!
It's just traffic and construction in that area, may make me miss my return flight.

You all :yourock: !!!

[flyarm]

42. ok so once you have your ticket at this fare..wait till you have the

ticket..don't change it now...usually you can change date for $25.00 or $50.00

wait till you use one leg of the trip..so when you get to midway go to ticket counter..tell them all about your son..and ask what changing the ticket will cost you...

if you get a good agent they will change it for you..gratis..( free)..the worst could be $25.00-$50.00 change fee...

some airlines charge 100.00..then it might not be to your benefit..

but try..but use the first leg first!! get to your destination first..

and honestly tell them about your son..go to an agent that looks your age..not a young one..they will understand...and be understanding.,remember many of them have kids too..and they will feel for you big time!!
they can go to a supervisor and many times waive the fee!!

use your motherly charms!!

fly

[Breeze54]

43. Cool! Ok..let me get this straight...

Thank you!! You are just wonderful!!!

I have a confirmation at $327 BUT that really cuts my return time short!
I mean I might only get 30 minutes with my son before I have to go back to the airport.
So? I called them back and asked for the same price but return next morning and they
have a flight but they want an additional $65.00!!

Are you telling me to take the $327 and then when I get to Midway, change it to next day???


I just want to be sure!! I don't fly that often, can you tell?? :rofl:

I get the "find someone my age"!! lol

[flyarm]

46. yes go to ticket counter when you get in..

now if your flight is delayed getting in for any amount of time..you can use that as a reason to have to stay over for next day...you say they cut into the short time you had with your son...any delay at all..use that...and look for sympathy...say my son just got in from Iraq..and my time is shorter than i expected..is it possible for me to go home tommorrow..without extra expence..tell the agent you are on limited funds...play it up..hell you will never see them again..and if they can't do anything ..ask them to ask their supervisor..if fee can be waived...and bring up the fact that your son just got in from Iraq..don't be shy..

plus around airport there are usually many cheep hotels...do the same with them..tell them about your son..say you are on limited funds..but you just had to come and see him come in!!

you don't need fancy room for one night..
and if you can save from the airline the 65$$ you can use for a room!!

my best wishes for you and your son...

fly

[Breeze54]

47. OK...

...I get ya! I need lessons in negotiation!! :)

I'm waiting to hear from a pal in Chicago. They might lend me their couch!!
That would really help!! Thanks again!!
I didn't think of the 'delayed arrival' angle! Good one!!! :thumbsup:
I might be able to use my PBS card to get a hotel discount at a hotel too!

......still working on it.... waiting for my friend to respond.
I've got an hour and half before I lose the ticket.

I'll be back!

TY!!! :)

[Jeanette in FL]

45. Oh that is so cool

I am glad that you made the phone call. You had nothing to lose. Saving a few bucks here and there.

Please give your son a big DU hug and kiss from all of us. I sure hope he will be all right. Glad you will be there for him. Good going.

[cally]

49. that's fantastic!!

I'm going to check out Air Tran and try to fly with them for business because they are so nice. Have a wonderful reunion with your son.

[Nicole]

50. Now that you've begged once

the next time will be easier. :rofl:

Call the NG Armory & see if they will shuttle you to & from the airport for free. Seriously.
I live near a military base & they love to see big turnouts for the welcome home ceremonies. Especially from family members.

[Breeze54]

51. You made me start shaking with laughter!!! ....

A true belly laugh chuckle!! TOO FUNNY!!!
I'm getting good at begging!! LMAO!!
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I will!! What the hell?? :shrug: I'll call the FRG!!
It's ONLY 3 miles away! :)
They better get me back to the airport on time too!! :sarcasm:
:P

We'll see...still waiting for phone call from son and e-mail from friend...argh!
But the tickets are still there...I've got time. Whew!
TY!!
:)

[Nicole]

52. Glad to help

you exercise that belly. :rofl:

Let us know if it works.

Tell your son we welcome him home too!

[Breeze54]

53. I definately will tell him!! Thanks to you and everyone! n/t

[RebelOne]

37. Check out this Web site.

http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/10/123/

[Breeze54]

40. Thanks. I tried it...

and the cheapest/lowest fare was $481...I got one cheaper!
Nice link, though! TY! :)

[madmom]

44. It's probably to late for this trip but try Amtrak, much cheaper and

you get to see country.

[Little Star]

48. Try Travelzoo for comparisons

http://www.travelzoo.com/