www.Bestfares.com

You have to join. I think it is $45. But a big but- I was able to get a flight out of LA in July for $550. You call a number to book and they give you the airline and the flight times. I've been aquite impressed with this site.

Good Luck

IcePick

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

Icepick : The fare you got from BestFares for travel to Madrid during the peak summer travel period is quite amazing. What airline are you booked on?

That is a good price! Usually airfares are VERY high when bought too far in advance like this. Into what Spanish city are you flying? I'm guessing either Barcelona or Madrid -- probably Madrid since they typically have lower fares than to BCN.

I'm tempted but still reluctant to join the BestFares game membership. I haven't been able to find anything less than $900 R/T from Columbus, Ohio, USA to Madrid for/around Semana Santa (Holy Week).

And what's with these "Super Spring Sales" where all travel must be completed by March 20th, which is the FIRST day of spring!? Isn't this more like a "Super WINTER Sale"???

Sorry. I'm a little ticked because I was ALL ready to used my $#%"&@! Delta Frequent Flier miles for a FREE R/T to Madrid (leaving CHM March 22, returning April 7) and these dates aren't available for Frequent Flier Award redemption, nor any dates AROUND these dates. GRRRRRRRR!!!!! And this is more than TWO MONTHS in advance!!!!

Whew! I feel better after venting. NOT!

[ 01-17-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

IcePick and others,

Did you actually purchase this fare or did you just see it advertised on the site? Because, alot of times, the advertisements aren't true. For example, Travelocity is advertising a fare from Washington DC to Madrid for $300. But when you try to book, you have to select departure dates from a calendar, and most of them are sold out.

So basically what I am asking is did you buy the ticket, and if so, did you have to become a member first. If anyone else has used this service, please let me know how it works. I was sure I could find the lowest prices with all of the airfare sites and some special software I have, but these prices are ALOT lower. Just want to see if they are legit.

Thanks
Ben
pbchamp@intercom.net

MM,

I have found some fares from Colombus Ohio to Madrid around the dates you
were looking for using my special software. You know, if you fly out/in on
a Tuesday or Thursday, the rates are much cheaper.

CMH to MAD (3/22-4/7) $999.98
CMH to MAD (3/21-4/7) $699.92
CMH tp MAD (3/21-4/9) $674.92

Let me know if you do decide to join Bestfares.com. I am planning a trip to
Spain and it is crucial that I find the lowest price since I don't have alot
of money to work with.

Thanks
Ben
pbchamp@intercom.net

zero262quick, thanks A LOT for checking that for me! I've been checking all the usual sources myself: Orbitz, Expedia, Delta, etc.. As it turns out, I decided to use my frequent flier miles, but... GET THIS, to use them on NEAR the dates I want, I have to go from Columbus (Ohio) to Cincinnati (Oh) to San Francisco to Paris (France! ) to Madrid. UGH! My head spins just thinking about it That's like 15 hours on the plane! ARGH!! Oh well. It'll be free at least. And I won't likely to run into any MadridMan'ers either since I won't be flying direct out of any USA city.

Those fares you quoted for BestFares.com are about $300-$500 better than I'd found ANYWHERE for those dates. Now watch, all the airlines will come out with their LATE SPRING sales and I could have gone for $400. ARGH!

Saludos, MadridMan

MM,

First of all, those quotes are not from BestFares, they are ones I found using some special software I have. Anyway, I am still confused about the fares.

When do you usually buy tickets, I mean how far in advance? The absolute lowest I can find from Washington DC to Madrid in June/July are close to $800! They have to go down before then. I am just not sure when to buy the tickets so that I will get the lowest price. I may just wait until March, hopefully they will be lower by then. Or I may just join the BestFares.com website and try to get some cheaper tickets there. What I want is to hear when everyone else buys their tickets (how far in advance) and what you usually pay for a summer fare.

The BestFares.com deal sounds good, assuming two things. First, the prices do not include taxes. Taxes can add over $100 additional charge to each ticket. I found that out on Travelocity when my $300 ticket turned into $390 just like that. Second, there is a wide range of dates available to choose from. Again, this brings back memories of the Travelocity fare finder where you have to select dates from a calendar; 99% of the time, there are no seats available. Maybe I will contact them to find out these details.

Maybe I should start a new thread with this topic. I would like to hear from those experienced travelers what they pay and how they go about getting the lowest price.

Thanks
Ben
pbchamp@intercom.net

When do the late spring fares come out? I would love to go to Spain/Portugal, maybe at the end of May. Don't have a lot of money this year, so the price of the plane tickets will determine if we can go! I fly out of Boston (can also do Providence or Hartford, but these airports are usually more expensive for transcontintental flights). If anyone hears of any sales, I'd love to know about them!

Thanks!

Just wanted to bring up another way to save $ on fares. I bought an Entertainment book for $32. It has 2 for 1 coupons on dining but also has $ off for flights on Continental and Northwest, depending on the total price of the ticket. There are the usual blackout dates and no travel on Sat/Sun but the restrictions aren't too bad. Two years ago, I received $175 off a RT ticket to Rome. Continental flys to Madrid from Newark daily.

ladybugsea,

Here are some prices for flights around the time you requested. I don't know how long you plan to stay for, though.

Taxes are included.

BOS to MAD (May 28-Jun 6) $677
BOS to MAD (May 21-May 30) $706.82
BOS to MAD (May 14-May 23) $670.60

I am also currently looking into a new travel service, BestFares.com. If anyone has any information on this service, please let me know. The fares seem alot cheaper, but I'm not sure if there is a catch or not.

Ben
pbchamp@intercom.net

My advice, if you've got a credit card, go to www.priceline.com. It's no joke. I booked a flight from Los Angeles to Miami for 150 bucks roundtrip on United... and my friend bought two roundtrip tickets to London from LA for 642.00 (for both). The only thing, www.priceline.com works best when you book last minute travel. And you better leave the entire day open to travel, because you can't control what time you leave, oh and you can't change your ticket, so make sure you are cool on your travel dates. Happy travels.

roses

[ 01-18-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

I would just like to add something about priceline.com
Once you select your dates and put in a requested price, the system searches for fares that meet your price. If one is found, your credit card is charged immediately, you cannot choose whether or not to accept. There are no refunds or exchanges either. This method is much different from the conventional method of being able to view the flight details first and then choose to accept it.

Ben
pbchamp@intercom.net

[originally posted by IcePick on 01-21-02...]

I was out of town for a few days. The airline is Swiss Air that I was able to get a flight out of LA to Barcelona. Swiss Air to those who may know is in Chapter 13. Much like TWA and PAn Am were for a number of years. My friend who works for Northwest as a booking agent says not to be concerned. The national airline of Switzerland is safe. They are getting as much money as they can to plan for year 2003. They are set for this year. She said she would feel comfortable flying with this competitive airline.

Ben- Yes I did buy the tickets already and they ar coming in the mail I spoke with the 1-800-number yesterday. Secondly, you cannot get this deal throught Swiss Air directly. Thought that was interesting. Lastly, this price did include taxes and junk fees.

Bestfares is just terrific. I've used them before and they blow away all the search engines out there. Also, I don't work for them as excited as I may sound. I figure to pass along anything that may help fellow travelors. This site has helped me a lot.

You asked great questions. Please continue to post.

Madrid Man: Hey Captain don't you just hate that frequent flier miles can't be used when you want them? British Airways wouldn't let me use my miles in the summer :-( So I used them for my Dublin trip for the upcoming St. Patty's week. Come join me and I'll buy you a few rounds.

PS: Let me know if you need any new stickers.

To everyone in general :(this is not advice to use Bestfares.com - but for informational use) Do your own due diligence. Now the lawyers are happy. ;-)

MM,

How much did you pay for the BestFares membership? I have heard many different prices, and I am having a hard time finding the price on the site. I just don't want to be surprised when I get the credit card bill.

>>>Yes I did buy the tickets already and they ar coming in the mail I spoke with the 1-800-number yesterday. Secondly, you cannot get this deal throught Swiss Air directly. Thought that was interesting. Lastly, this price did include taxes and junk fees.<<<

I am assuming you are referring the BestFares here?

Ben
pbchamp@intercom.net

Ben;

I paid $45 to try it out. I will after the year is over go for a 3 year subscription. I travel too much not to. walk throught the subscription process it will say $45.

Good Luck

V

zero262quick, I never did buy the BestFares.com membership. I don't travel all that much. Besides, I've already arranged to use my FF miles (in a VERY round-about travel-path) for my upcoming trip to Madrid.

The text you quoted was from IcePick's posting (I moved it for him/her into this thread).

Hi,
I've been a lurker here for about 1 1/2 years. I check this site almost every day. (It is the proof I give to my hasband that my Spain obsession is normal and shared by many others.) Thanks to all!!
I joined bestfares last year and used it to buy tickets from Las Vegas to Madrid last summer. When I called to get the low fare advertised I had to travel from the U.S. to Brussels and then on to Madrid. I did purchase the tickets even though the flight was longer because the fare was really good. (I can't remember what it was). I go to Spain in the summer and finding a good deal in advance is difficult. I know I saved a lot on my tickets (tickets for 5 people) and for me the $45.00 was worth it. I only used it the one time.
A while back, maybe even a year or so, someone on this board was giving the pass words for bestfares. It changes monthly and it is in the monthly magazine you receive. All you need is the pass word and then you can get the 800 number to call and make your reservation. I have been looking for the last one I received but can't find it.

Lagun

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: Lagun ]

Lagun,

One more question. When you purchased your ticket from BestFares, was the advertised price all inclusive, or did they add on taxes afterwards? Either way, the fares are still very low, but I still would like to know.

Thanks
Ben
pbchamp@intercom.net

Ben,
I think they may add a processing fee and maybe now a fuel charge. I can't remember. Sorry.
Lagun

Lagun,

Yes it says they add a fuel surcharge and a processing fee. I just wondered how much additional taxes were added onto the advertised price.

Thanks
Ben
pbchamp@intercom.net