Too early (or too late) to buy air for March?

[Iamthesea]

Booked a spring break cruise set for March 31st - April 5th to work with my daughters - who are both teachers - schedules. They would like to fly back home the day the cruise ends (a Saturday) to give them an extra day before heading back to school. That knocks us out of any specialty air, like Allegiant.

 

Right now, I could book our flights on Allegiant, plus 2 nights hotel (Allegiant fly's out of our area the day before and fly's back the day after our cruise...hence the hotel stays.) for $400 less than it would cost to fly on a well named airline - out same day as cruise and back on embarkation day. Flights from the TRI to FLL (cruise goes out of Port Everglades) are currently $438 pp. Same for flying into MIA or out of any nearby airport to our town.

 

I have tried all sorts of configurations and cannot come up with anything better than Allegiant in which we would have to drive 1.5 hours both ways. Is it still too early to find decent fares, or have I waited too long? This will not be an Easter weekend, though I realize that spring break plays a big part in fare hike for flying to Florida.

[CruiserBruce]

$438 during Spring Break is not crazy.

 

The problem with Allegiant is clearly highlighted by your example. Pretty good prices. BUT doesn't fly everyday, frequently does't serve an airport more than once a day. What are you going to do if your plane goes mechanical at the gate?

[Iamthesea]

Good point, although we would have a day to get there! ;)

 

Now to my original question...will prices go up or will they come down closer to sailing - about 3 months out? $438 is high for what we have paid in the past...even for spring flights to Florida. I'd like to see them around $325 or so.

[CruiserBruce]

Good point, although we would have a day to get there! ;)

 

Now to my original question...will prices go up or will they come down closer to sailing - about 3 months out? $438 is high for what we have paid in the past...even for spring flights to Florida. I'd like to see them around $325 or so.

 

Who knows? Do you know what the stock market will do tomorrow? Next week? In March? Of course not. But given you want fares to go down during Spring Break, I wouldn' t hold my breath.

 

Last year's air fares have nothing to do with this year's, or next year's. There is no correlation.

[Ashland]

I've cruised out of PE or POM during March for the last several years and usually get my air (LAX-FLL) during the Oct-Dec timeframe when I see it for a price I can live with...Rarely has it gone down much after that point...and yes I can't help myself to keep checking back after I've purchased ;)...Best of luck :)

[Keith1010]

Good point, although we would have a day to get there! ;)

 

Now to my original question...will prices go up or will they come down closer to sailing - about 3 months out? $438 is high for what we have paid in the past...even for spring flights to Florida. I'd like to see them around $325 or so.

 

It's Spring Break so likely prices don't go down but none of us know for sure and they could go up. It all comes down to price and demand. If this was me I would not wait but that is me and you have to decide for yourself.

 

As CruiserBruce said I would prefer an airline whose flight is daily even if I was flying in ahead of time but again that's me.

 

Keith

[Gunner22aa]

The question about when to get the best airfare is the most frequently asked one on here and the one with no answer. As mentioned supply and demand set the prices. No one is going to sell you something for $100 when people are happy to pay $200. Spring break is a high travel season. The likelyhood of seat sales is small. The likelyhood of planes filling up and your choices becoming even smaller is high. I don't see waiting to buy your seats as a good option at that time of the year.

[Zach1213]

The chances of airfare going down, to Florida, over Spring Break, are about as likely as seeing Keanu Reeves win an academy award - Ain't gonna happen.

 

If you're sure you want to fly Allegiant, just book it now. It'll only go up...and I give that the George Foreman and Men's Wearhouse Guarantees - "I Guarantee It"

[epixx]

I'd fly to West Palm Beach, if I were you; $262 on Delta.

[waterbug123]

 

I have tried all sorts of configurations and cannot come up with anything better than Allegiant in which we would have to drive 1.5 hours both ways. Is it still too early to find decent fares, or have I waited too long? This will not be an Easter weekend, though I realize that spring break plays a big part in fare hike for flying to Florida.

 

There's no way to predict when or by how much fares will go up or down, although during peak travel times (ex. travel to Florida during spring break!) you'll likely see more up than down.

 

Are you willing to pay MORE than the current fares? If you are, then feel free to wait for a price drop that may or may not occur. If not, buy now. It's really that simple.

[Budget Queen]

Booked a spring break cruise set for March 31st - April 5th to work with my daughters - who are both teachers - schedules. They would like to fly back home the day the cruise ends (a Saturday) to give them an extra day before heading back to school. That knocks us out of any specialty air, like Allegiant.

 

Right now, I could book our flights on Allegiant, plus 2 nights hotel (Allegiant fly's out of our area the day before and fly's back the day after our cruise...hence the hotel stays.) for $400 less than it would cost to fly on a well named airline - out same day as cruise and back on embarkation day. Flights from the TRI to FLL (cruise goes out of Port Everglades) are currently $438 pp. Same for flying into MIA or out of any nearby airport to our town.

 

I have tried all sorts of configurations and cannot come up with anything better than Allegiant in which we would have to drive 1.5 hours both ways. Is it still too early to find decent fares, or have I waited too long? This will not be an Easter weekend, though I realize that spring break plays a big part in fare hike for flying to Florida.

 

 

Why do you have to all fly together? Split up and you take the cheap flights you want. The "kids" must be adults, then let them choose and go on the flights they want.

[CruiserBruce]

Another issue with Allegiant just popped up. They have a "compliance issue" with the FAA, and are temporarily suspending operations. I would doubt this would impact your flights, but as importantly it highlights the issues of limited and somewhat irregular flights Allegiant has. Imagine all the pax trapped with little way to make up their flights, as Allegiant flies so irregularly.

[Iamthesea]

That's awful, CB! :eek: Well, as I said in my first post, Allegiant is out anyway. ;)

 

I am trying to work within a budget that DH gave me. We booked a balcony, but if we switch to an OV, the air on Delta will work for us, and everyone will be happy.

 

Why do you have to all fly together? Split up and you take the cheap flights you want. The "kids" must be adults, then let them choose and go on the flights they want.

 

We would not want to fly separately, because no matter how we got down there, there are still transportation cost that need to be met to get us from airport to hotel, or to port. If we arrive separately, then we have at least 2 modes of transportation to pay for, each way.

 

I'd fly to West Palm Beach, if I were you; $262 on Delta.

 

epixx - Thank you so much for the suggestion. That's the information that I needed from this thread. I always discount WPB because I know nothing about it, so did not even put it into my search perimeters when looking for airfares. That's a great price, with good flight times. I am really interested, but will have to find a way to get to and from Port Everglades. I have been doing research on that this afternoon (since seeing your post.) :)

 

Cheapest seems to be the Tri-Rail, but it can be unreliable.

The most expensive is a cab.

Simplest is getting a shuttle or private car, but having trouble pinning down a fare and availability.

I have no desire to rent a car.

 

Ideas or recommendations on services?

[Budget Queen]

 

 

 

We would not want to fly separately, because no matter how we got down there, there are still transportation cost that need to be met to get us from airport to hotel, or to port. If we arrive separately, then we have at least 2 modes of transportation to pay for, each way.

 

 

 

Cheapest seems to be the Tri-Rail, but it can be unreliable.

The most expensive is a cab.

Simplest is getting a shuttle or private car, but having trouble pinning down a fare and availability.

I have no desire to rent a car.

 

Ideas or recommendations on services?

 

 

"transportation costs" are minimal, many hotels have airport shuttles. cab fares are some of the cheapest, it is a very short distance.

 

As for TriRail, where are you getting the "unreliable" information? It is VERY reliable and runs on schedule 99% of the time. Easy access at West Palm Beach airport. Again cheap cab fare from the station to the docks.

[Iamthesea]

Traveling separately - True, but an unnecessary cost when we can travel together. ;) Besides, I would be the one driving 1.5 hours away to save $200, while my daughters stay home to catch the plane 15 minutes away - and $200 more pp. :rolleyes:

 

Glad to hear that about Tri-Rail. I did a search on CC for Tri-Rail and read some unsavory comments and also how hard it is to maneuver. Please tell me more about getting from PBI to Port Canaveral.

[Corby114]

If you can save money by flying into West Palm Beach please do so. Then rent a vehicle for the minimum twenty four rate and drive to Fort Lauderdale and immediately drop off the vehicle at either Hollywood/ Fort Lauderdale International Airport or at a location closer to Port Everglades. I've done this many times and never had a problem. Why not fly down a day earlier, drive to the Fort Lauderdale area and stay one night in a hotel. You will be refreshed on the day of the cruise and ready to enjoy yourself with your daughters. Most people make a big deal about renting a car but it's really not such a bad thing to do. I have a condo in Hallandale Beach and I rent vehicles a few times a year when I visit the area. Twenty five years ago the rental facilities were very small and off of the airport properties. Back then you could spend hours waiting to rent a vehicle, especially on the weekends. Now most large scale companies are located inside of the airports. You walk up to the location,show your reservation, show your personal identification along with your credit card, sign the agreement, and your on your way. I fly into either West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, or Miami depending on the airfare rates from Newark, New Jersey, LaGuardia or John F Kennedy International Airport.

[Iamthesea]

That's exactly what we have decided to do! :) I am going to let one of my daughters drive the rental. After I find out which one wants to do the driving, we will book it in their name.

 

In PBI, which car rental company do you recommend?

 

Does the Port of Everglades have a drop off point without having to go to the airport?

 

Is there a hotel in WPB that is reasonable and nice? I thought it might be fun to stay in WPB that first night because we have never been there. What is there to do there...is there a tour of homes?

[Alaskanb]

OP you are asking all the questions that I have :)

Does anyone know of a good guide for the Miami-WPB region?

[Corby114]

I normally rent from either Dollar or Budget. All the major rental car companies provide the same level of service. I would definitely stay away from the smaller ones that always try to upgrade you for a fee or explain that the vehicle you reserved is unavailable. Advantage, Ace, and EZ Rent A Car are known for their bait and switch tactics. There are numerous posts on Cruise Critic about these three companies. After picking up the luggage I walk to the rental car desk which is located directly across from baggage claim. After doing the paperwork you exit the main terminal and walk across to the parking garage where the rental vehicles are parked. After retrieving the vehicle the ride on Interstate 95 to Fort Lauderdale is approximately one hour. I'm unsure of hotels in the West Palm Beach area but there are plenty of them located very near Port Everglades. At the conclusion of your cruise you either shuttle or take a taxi back to Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale International Airport where you pick up a rental for the return trip back to West Palm Beach.

[Ashland]

In PE Thrifty and Dollar are just outside the port gate and they do have a shuttle...no reason to use the FLL location.

[Iamthesea]

I normally rent from either Dollar or Budget. All the major rental car companies provide the same level of service. I would definitely stay away from the smaller ones that always try to upgrade you for a fee or explain that the vehicle you reserved is unavailable. Advantage, Ace, and EZ Rent A Car are known for their bait and switch tactics. There are numerous posts on Cruise Critic about these three companies. After picking up the luggage I walk to the rental car desk which is located directly across from baggage claim. After doing the paperwork you exit the main terminal and walk across to the parking garage where the rental vehicles are parked. After retrieving the vehicle the ride on Interstate 95 to Fort Lauderdale is approximately one hour. I'm unsure of hotels in the West Palm Beach area but there are plenty of them located very near Port Everglades. At the conclusion of your cruise you either shuttle or take a taxi back to Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale International Airport where you pick up a rental for the return trip back to West Palm Beach.

 

In PE Thrifty and Dollar are just outside the port gate and they do have a shuttle...no reason to use the FLL location.

 

Thank you to both. :)

 

On the return trip, I am not going to go through the trouble of renting a car just to go straight to the airport. Too much time wasted IMO and a hassle. We are thinking of the Tri-Rail or hiring a private car. I am for hiring the car. Any recommendations?