Finance Discussions

No change for me b/c I already went on one bigger trip so we already decided our second trip would be in driving range.  So.... that was before all these increases came in and charging for bags and yadda yadda.  We will see if it affects me next year though!  I keep hoping something changes for the better by then. 

I wouldn't choose an airline based on the additional charges b/c for me I choose 99% based on the times and 1% based on the price.  The only time I choose a bad schedule is if the price is REALLY a lot better.

The best way to cope with travel costs is really just to cut costs on other items (cheaper hotel, cheaper restaurants, etc)

I thankfully made my summer plans in January.  I was lucky enough to find a flight from NJ to Orlando for under $200.00 round trip so I booked it then. The price is now over $300.00. It will be a while before we get back on a plane though due to the rising costs. The airline I use (Spirit Air) has been charging extra for luggage for over a year, but it is not a deterrent.  The way to get around the travel costs is to just stay local. Look around your own state and see where you haven't been. You can also look into renting a place instead of staying at a hotel, where you would have to pay for every meal. If you don't mind doing the cooking and cleaning, it's a great alternative that can save you big $.

I haven't flown in YEARS and of all times my family decided to fly somewhere since my kids have never flown. Unfortunately, once you've paid for it, you're stuck and it's expensive to change dates or anything. It's been 10 years since I've flown and boy have things changed. I've always loved to fly so hopefully I won't be disappointed this time. The cost of traveling has gone up tremendously, but we're learning to cut back in other ways. Hopefully it won't stay this way forever.

Well we usually travel pulling a travel trailer and truthfully if my mom didn't need to be in an Assisted Living place in MA near us we'd be traveling in spite of the gas prices. We are flying to CA and will attempt to keep our bags down but again if we have to pay the extra price I can't say it would stop us. We use frequent flyer miles as much as we can usually through AA.

I do plan my errands; however! Jo

Haven't really flown in years, primarily I haven't had a reason to.  My husband LOVES to drive and we haven't traveled outside of 7 hours in a while , which is do-able in a ca trip.  Even wheneve we plan our trip to Myrtle Beach we will probably still drive, even though that's getting almost as expensive. 

I do think it's silly all the extra charges airline companies are tacking on now days though.

We've changed our plans slightly but not so much because of the prices.  We went on a nice trip in early May and had planned to go to Texas in October but I think that plan is off but mostly because traveling in general has lost it's lustre for me.  The whole process of getting home from our last vacation just makes me hate the flying/car renting process and I'm not looking forward to doing it again, especially with the extra security and baggage hassles.  Everytime I travel my bra sets off the alarms and I have to get wanded and it's a pain.  As a result I think we're going to drive up to the upper peninsula of Michigan in October instead of flying anywhere and being annoyed.  Seriously, the hassle of travel un does all the unwinding I've done on vacation.

Buggheart said…
As a result I think we're going to drive up to the upper peninsula of Michigan in October instead of flying anywhere and being annoyed.  Seriously, the hassle of travel un does all the unwinding I've done on vacation.

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Oh that's the best time to go there too!  I love to travel north that time of year, but unfortunately I'm soooo busy at work with school opening there's no time to do so. 

Are you changing summer travel plans? Majorally. We were going to go on an anniversary trip to the gulf coast, but now it's just too expensive. Just a month ago it would have cost us $250 to fly, now it's more than $500. Driving there and back would be at LEAST $700, not to mention hotel costs in Memphis where we have to stop. Everything we do has to be in a 5-hour radius.

Are you traveling less? A WHOLE lot less. We've left our house twice this summer, and both times we never travelled more than 300 miles. We still had fun, but compared to our past road trips, these are weak.

Are you less likely to fly now that carries like United and American are charging to check bags? YES! With two kisd, I can't imagine the extra costs for checking a stroller, 2 car seats, 3 suitcases, etc.

If you have to fly, which airlines do you prefer? MidWest has been a favorite of ours.

Any other ways you're trying to cope with the increases in travel costs? We walk wherever we can. If we have to drive, we drive right at the speed limit. Last time we drove 190 miles, my Rav4 managed 28 mpg. We also make due with what we have. We live in a nice metro area, so why not take advantage of it? We don't NEED to go out of town to relax.

I don't have any air travel plans right now, but I heard that some airlines are now charging for a blanket and pillow ($7) which you keep, and all beverages. Toilet paper  is still free, but for how long?

I have become so frustrated with air travel I just don't want to do it anymore.  My $200.00 tixs to Orlando have now become quite expensive.  The charge for luggage when I booked the tix was $10.00 per bag round trip....it is now $15.00 per bag ONE WAY...$90.00 additional to get our luggage to Orlando....I needed to reserve our seats....I was charged an extra $50.00....it's out of control.....I too, heard that about the pillows.  I'm going to bring a roll of quarters just in case I do have to pay for toilet paper. LOL

mysticstarfish said…
I have become so frustrated with air travel I just don't want to do it anymore.  My $200.00 tixs to Orlando have now become quite expensive.  The charge for luggage when I booked the tix was $10.00 per bag round trip....it is now $15.00 per bag ONE WAY...$90.00 additional to get our luggage to Orlando....I needed to reserve our seats....I was charged an extra $50.00....it's out of control.....I too, heard that about the pillows.  I'm going to bring a roll of quarters just in case I do have to pay for toilet paper. LOL

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Better be careful that roll might be cnsidered a weapon then you'll nevr get to Orlando :)

I just read an article in Time Magazine about the fees:

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1829928,00.html

If you have to change your itinerary expect to get gouged up to $150! I don't see how reassiging a passenger to another flight could cost anywhere near that amount.

Locally and nationally, I fly Alaska/Horizon because they serve my local airport, and have great service and connections.  For international travel, I fly American for the most part, especially to central or south America.  Air Canada works well too if I fly out of BC.  I haven't really had a problem with the extra fees cause I do mostly carry on, but when I've checked baggage (1), I've yet to be charged a fee on either carrier.  Air Canada charges for a 2nd bag, and started this over two years ago. 

The extra charges are just the airlines ways of coping with the runaway fuel prices these days as I see it, and I've always found a way to cope with it, or get around it all together. 

If you work the net, you can still find really affordable air travel, with or without fees.   

Who in the world charges 50 bucks for seat assignment???????  Please tell me so I never book a flight with them.  Air Canada charges for seat assignment, but its only 3 dollars, or you can do it for free 24 hours from the flight.  I always ate the 3 bucks, but for 50, my gawd.  Too bad, gone are the days of Pan Am.  For 50 dollars you should be able the keep the seat, and take it with you. 

Well due to the increase we drove last week from VA to MT.  Just kidding.  We were always planning to drive to enjoy the journey as well as the destination.  Internet is spotty for me here on the Big Hole but expect many travel games, books and destination reviews soon.  Our sub takes flex fuel but it is very hard to find.  We did find 85% flex fuel (reportedly made from woodchips) for $3.15 a gallon which was a break over the other prices.  I am not sure we saved any money driving but I didn't have to pay my husband to bring my bags or buy a yucky pillow. Great question:)

Spirit Air out of Atlantic City.  I used to fly Delta out of this airport, but they pulled out.  Now it's only Spirit.  I hate going to the airport in Philly because it is over an hour away and I have to hire a car to take us there, and the delays in Philly are just ridiculous.  Nothing leaves there on time, or even close to it.  Average delay is 3 hours, but I heard it did get better.  It can be very difficult when travelling with a child.

Other option is Newark, JFK or LaGuardia; I can't drive 2 hours + to get to these airports.

So I am stuck with Spirit.  I have taken them to Florida and connected onto American to get to Cartagena.  Never had a problem or these outrageous add on fees.  They didn't have these fees in place when I booked my flight in January.

I guess I'll be going back out of Philly again.

I use the lowest-priced airline I can find. It's annoying to have to weigh your bags at home now to be sure you're under 50lbs to not incur a second bag charge. I don't care if you have to pay for snacks. I never ate them or got a drink when they were free.

We're road-trippers now. I'm driving 21 hours to RI for Thanksgiving. In winter in snowy areas, I prefer to drive because if the weather gets bad you can stop for  a while until it clears or get a hotel for the night and move on. You don't end up in the holiday hell of stand-by flights getting re-routed and sleeping in the airport. When there's a weather delay, forget it. everyone is in a super crappy mood and it's stressful.

So we drive.

We are not changing our habits but it is a problem. Our CA kids are coming in for Thanksgiving and the airfare is now (Well they waited) close to $900 for the two of them. They paid but we paid for our daughter and it was $400 but still we want her to come.

Oh and for sure we limit our luggage. At one time we wouldn't have thought about it. Now I take 1/3 of what I would. We usually fly Delta or AA and for sure bring our own snacks!

I just reviewed AmTrak.  I really chose it over driving rather than over flying but it is an alternative to consider.

Buggheart said…
We've changed our plans slightly but not so much because of the prices.  We went on a nice trip in early May and had planned to go to Texas in October but I think that plan is off but mostly because traveling in general has lost it's lustre for me.  The whole process of getting home from our last vacation just makes me hate the flying/car renting process and I'm not looking forward to doing it again, especially with the extra security and baggage hassles.  Everytime I travel my bra sets off the alarms and I have to get wanded and it's a pain.  As a result I think we're going to drive up to the upper peninsula of Michigan in October instead of flying anywhere and being annoyed.  Seriously, the hassle of travel un does all the unwinding I've done on vacation.

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Okay, okay -- I've read through all these messages and nobody else asked so ...

How the HECK does your BRA set off the alarms when you try to pass through the security hell at the airport?!