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There was a fare war oh, maybe about 2 years ago, to HNL.... it was under $200 from the West Coast and under $300 from everywhere else for a long travel period. Those fare levels will come back one of these days.

by on Wednesday, February 25, 2009

And what about those ANC fares George? I guess I could see $200 from the west coast, but certainly not the east.

I do remember the HNL sale for a couple years ago, I was so disappointed I didn't book given how great of a deal it was. Plus the airlines were still allowing checked bags then! Oh how the times have changed. With most airlines pulling flights out of HNL and reducing seats, I don't know if we'll ever see anything that good again. I've seen some deals on Priceline, but I would rather earn miles for such a long trip.

Here was the sample itinerary I came up with back during the HNL sale of fall 2007:

Flight Summary
1 Adult: $230.42
Taxes/Fees: $67.58
Total Cost: $298.00

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Northwest Airlines 127
Booking Class: K / Economy 9:00am Depart Chicago (ORD)
10:36am Arrive Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)
Plane change (0hr 54min ground time)
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Northwest Airlines 809
Booking Class: K / Economy 11:30am Depart Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)
2:42pm Arrive Honolulu/Oahu (HNL)

Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Northwest Airlines 220
Booking Class: K / Economy 2:15pm Depart Honolulu/Oahu (HNL)
9:40pm Arrive Seattle (SEA)
Plane change (3hr 15min ground time)
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Northwest Airlines 154
Booking Class: K / Economy 12:55am Depart Seattle (SEA)
5:58am Arrive Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)
Plane change (3hr 2min ground time)
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Northwest Airlines 126
Booking Class: K / Economy 9:00am Depart Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)
10:19a

@Matthew

by matthewsoft on Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Hi RGValleyGal,

Unfortunately the nearest Spirit airport is SAT, which is at least a 4 hour drive from HRL or MFE. However, Southwest does fly out of HRL so you may want to subscribe to their e-mails, as they're one of the best low-cost airlines out there, since you can check 2 bags for free, cancel/rebook with no fee, and even get a credit if your flight price drops [although you have to check it yourself on their web site].

If you're looking for other low price options, you can try Priceline's Name Your Own Price bidding system. Airlines give them tickets that are cheaper than retail published rates for flights with unsold tickets. Although you don't know the airline and flight times before you purchase, they do guarantee that it's no more than one connection for a certain amount of time, no red eye flights, and no turboprops [unless you select those options on rebid attempts]. If you need help with a strategy, check out betterbidding.com or biddingfortravel.com, or you can contact me at my screen name at gmail dot com.

For airports Spirit flies to, check out http://www.spiritair.com/routemapall.aspx

Happy travels!
@Matthew

by matthewsoft on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Hi jycnor,

My best advice is if you're looking at travel only within a specific time frame, subscribe to alerts at kayak.com or farecast.com for your local airport [or any airport you're willing to drive to].

Like I said in my comment to RGValleyGal, if your flexible with your travel times, you can also check Priceline's Winner's Board to see if anyone has won tickets to London from your airport. A lot of airlines are using Priceline to sell excess international inventory, I've seen a lot of good deals lately.

If you need assistance, feel free to contact me.

Happy travels!
@Matthew

by matthewsoft on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

I'm still waiting for the answer to the question about the $200 fares to HNL and ANC. When and where did you fly out of to get these fares?!?

by pshooper on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

I did IAH to STT (US Virgin Islands) last year for $214 Roundtrip on Delta... had a great time, and cannot beat that fare!!

by lisanti99 on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Any chance Spirit Airline might go to other cities such as here in Harlingen, TX? What a blessing that would be and what an opportunity for them to serve our area with very affordable airfares. We have a lower than usual income area around here and so many folks are unable to fly because of high fares. Spirit sure would be a blessing to us! George, do you hold any connection with them to maybe get them to fly HRL (Harlingen) or even MFE (McAllen) in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas????

by RGValleyGal on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Can anyone tell me the patterns of airline specials for the summer to europe, more specifically, to London in June, '09. It seems all airlines are advertising specials for the travels to late spring and early summer only. Will they start to put out specials later for summer as well? Please advise.

by jycnor on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

I did beat $214 to STT, I flew from ORD-FLL-STT for $106.70/person with taxes with Spirit's $9 flights. I booked the ORD-FLL section first for $39/person, and then kept checking for other sales on the dates that I would be in FLL, and about a month before my trip I grabbed STT for $67.70/person. It was great, although the island is a little pricey, I was still able to book a resort thru Priceline for $150/night [regularly $350].

@Matthew

by matthewsoft on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

I remember seeing the Belize, but HNL and ANC for $200 RT? When was that?! Flying out of what airport?

I really hope you guys come out with text messaging alerts for all these really awesome steals.

@Matthew

by matthewsoft on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

I actually saw, and purchased, the Belize one--just got back! I also saw one at the same price to Panama City Panama the next week, and actually would have rather had it but oh well-Belize was great, especially since I booked budget lodging, and checked out the attractions without paying a tour group. However, I'm also curious--I've never seen such a cheap fare to HI or Alaska. Do all email alerts go to every customer--or is someone exaggerating a wee bit. It's four times the distance and travel time to Hawaii or Alaska as it is Belize, from Atlanta (and the worst part of flying to Alaska is the ten hours in-air--exhausting--but worth it!)

by queenj on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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