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Author Topic: Air Fare  (Read 7082 times)

northface28

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Air Fare
« on: February 19, 2013, 01:45:13 PM »
Been checking every morning for the last week and roundtrip out of Chicago is holding steady at $473-$506 roundtrip. Add in food/lodging, looking at $1k to bowl 9 games. Any alternative methods people are using to mitigate costs?
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billdozer

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2013, 01:54:42 PM »
Nope its getting kinda stupid if u ask me.  I just try not to think about it. I try to make a mini vacation out of it...the problem is its not in vegas or orlando...I wouldn't complain a bit if it were either of those two..

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rymacatthedisco

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2013, 02:35:44 PM »
Southwest had a deal if you bought your tickets and flew before June 8, the roundtrip out of CHI was only 350ish...we bowl June 15-16, so couldnt take advantage, paid for the flight at 450ish, for myself and fiance...$900 for both of us to go to Reno...SUCKS!

If it was Vegas...no big deal...Reno, not the greatest of places

lifted rillo

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2013, 02:56:54 PM »
I wish they'd have it in Dallas, Albuquerque, or maybe even Oklahoma City. Those are only a 4-5 hour drive from Amarillo. I'd definitely go to Nationals then.

bowlallthetime

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2013, 03:47:43 PM »
You can also look into the credit cards that give you Miles with purchases.  Most basically give you a free roundtrip flight for signing up.  You just pay the annual fee, usually $50-$60. 

Also don't forget, bags are free with southwest.  You can only see their fares on their website.  Avoid Spirit at all costs.  They have small seats and charge for carry-ons, and all checked bags.

northface28

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2013, 03:48:48 PM »
Southwest had a deal if you bought your tickets and flew before June 8, the roundtrip out of CHI was only 350ish...we bowl June 15-16, so couldnt take advantage, paid for the flight at 450ish, for myself and fiance...$900 for both of us to go to Reno...SUCKS!

If it was Vegas...no big deal...Reno, not the greatest of places

I hear you, my gf and are looking at $900+ in airfare alone. We both have a fundamental issue spending that kind of money to "vacation" somewhere we would never ordinarily consider going.
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bradl

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2013, 04:12:49 PM »
I wish they'd have it in Dallas, Albuquerque, or maybe even Oklahoma City. Those are only a 4-5 hour drive from Amarillo. I'd definitely go to Nationals then.

They did have it in Albuquerque roughly 13 years ago.. that was a nice trip.. 8 hour drive from Vegas, or the 55 minute flight. Very nice place.

I'd love for it to be in OKC. I'd have a free place to stay, as all of my aunts/uncles and my father live there! I'd also love for it to be in either Omaha or Lincoln, NE.

Dallas would more than likely be the preferred choice, as they could completely use the ITRC for the event, depending on how big it is. Flights to there will definitely drop when the Wright Amendment expires at the end of next year. That means that SWA could fly from anywhere in the country directly to DAL without having to stop in a state bordering Texas.

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storm making it rain

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2013, 04:19:39 PM »
We're looking at paying $600 roundtrip from the upper east coast.  Being from where we are that's about the same price every year flying on SouthWest.  In my 15years the only one that has been remotely close was Syracuse, which we drove to. 

txbowler

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2013, 04:29:27 PM »
Not that this will help the east coast bowlers this year or the next few years, but Riggs posted in his blog a few weeks ago that Syracuse is bidding for 2018.  With the drop in entries and the change to oiling schedules that reduces the # of teams that bowl each day, I would think that Syracuse will finally bring the open back to the east coast.

For the bowlers bowling after the June 8th southwest sale cutoff, there is usually a 2nd southwest sale announced after spring break in March for the 2nd half of the summer.  Has been the last 2 years at least.

Also for those willing to drive 7 hours and were getting a rental car anyway, look into flying to Vegas and drive to Reno.  Rates seem to always be cheaper for Vegas.

milorafferty

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2013, 04:35:07 PM »
Do your aunts/uncles have room for the rest of us?  ;D ;D

I wish they'd have it in Dallas, Albuquerque, or maybe even Oklahoma City. Those are only a 4-5 hour drive from Amarillo. I'd definitely go to Nationals then.

They did have it in Albuquerque roughly 13 years ago.. that was a nice trip.. 8 hour drive from Vegas, or the 55 minute flight. Very nice place.

I'd love for it to be in OKC. I'd have a free place to stay, as all of my aunts/uncles and my father live there! I'd also love for it to be in either Omaha or Lincoln, NE.

Dallas would more than likely be the preferred choice, as they could completely use the ITRC for the event, depending on how big it is. Flights to there will definitely drop when the Wright Amendment expires at the end of next year. That means that SWA could fly from anywhere in the country directly to DAL without having to stop in a state bordering Texas.

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vkowalski1970

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2013, 04:39:40 PM »
Priceline, I bought a ticket out of Ohare on American for under $300..the same ticket on Americans website was $480....Im flying to Reno on a wed and back home on sat.
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Impending Doom

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2013, 05:06:12 PM »
I've always driven. First time I went was Billings from Chicago right after 9/11. Flying bowling balls was out of the question, so 4 of us packed up close to 50 bowling balls in the back of a rental minivan for our teams, and drove in shifts to get there. Had a blast driving there. I even drove to Corpus Christi. I would rather roadtrip than fly and pay overinflated prices. Heck, I would even take a train if I could, just so I could experience the travel. YMMV (literally)

Bowl_Freak

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2013, 07:14:46 PM »
Unless you know someone who works for Southwest, like a guy on my travel team, and gets to fly for free. Yes that's me. Only way I would go back to Reno if I didn't have to pay flight.

bradl

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2013, 07:22:51 PM »
Not that this will help the east coast bowlers this year or the next few years, but Riggs posted in his blog a few weeks ago that Syracuse is bidding for 2018.  With the drop in entries and the change to oiling schedules that reduces the # of teams that bowl each day, I would think that Syracuse will finally bring the open back to the east coast.

For the bowlers bowling after the June 8th southwest sale cutoff, there is usually a 2nd southwest sale announced after spring break in March for the 2nd half of the summer.  Has been the last 2 years at least.

Also for those willing to drive 7 hours and were getting a rental car anyway, look into flying to Vegas and drive to Reno.  Rates seem to always be cheaper for Vegas.

Negative for flying into Vegas, though fares may be cheaper.

Try flying into Sacramento, Stockton (Allegiant), or Oakland. You're looking at a 90 minute drive from Sacramento, a little under 2 hours from Stockton, and 3 - 4 from the Bay.

Vegas, while nice, is a 2-lane drive all the way up, with only 3 - 4 places to stop for gas (Beatty, Tonopah, Hawthorne, and Fallon). It's a harsh drive, especially during the summer, when it is monsoon season. Flying into Sacramento, while down the hill, will be much easier physically.

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Re: Air Fare
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2013, 07:34:34 PM »
The 2008 USBC Open Championship was held in Albuquerque, NM! There and Las Vegas was two of my favorite locations!
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