Author Topic: Can we talk Miami travel? (Read 8288 times)

j-von · « **on:** November 11, 2012, 01:15:10 AM »

I'm looking for the best way to get to Miami without spending a fortune and I'm guessing others are too so hopefully some of the more knowledgeable travelers here can help.

So far from what I've heard, you can book on southwest and cancel anytime without getting a penalty but instead of a refund you'll receive a voucher for a future flight. This seems like a good deal, but right now the nonstop flights out of KC for the popular days and times run about $800 round trip

You can get another airline around half the price (usually 1 stop). You can also get AA out of Manhattan at a decent price. Does anybody know what their cancellation policy is? I'm feeling pretty confident now so it doesn't have to be great, but a partial refund option would be nice to have.

Another option someone mentioned is just wait until the Alumni Association or another group puts together travel packages, but I've never looked at whether those are a huge ripoff or not.

I want to book soon, like tomorrow if I don't wait for the travel packages, so any help would be appreciated. I'd also be interested to hear what days people are planning on going.

steve dave · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2012, 01:20:55 AM »

Yes, good topic. We have been discussing this. A lot of has have hotels on the beach in ft. Launder dale. I'm at the Hilton, Saul is at the Sheraton, Pete Marriott, but all very close. I'm booked flying in on the 4th and out on the 8th on crappy SW.

bones129 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2012, 01:30:39 AM »

I will walk if I have to.

j-von · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2012, 01:31:25 AM »

Good info SD, thanks.

I just called AA (AE) and they said you can cancel up until departure, but you can't get a refund and when you pick another flight you have to pay a $150 change fee + the difference in flight costs. You also have to use it within 1 year. I should have asked whether this would apply to all of AA or just AE.

j-von · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2012, 01:39:14 AM »

Airtran Policy -

To cancel a reservation, please call AirTran Airways Reservations at 800-AIR-TRAN or 678-254-7999 in Atlanta. Reservations must be cancelled at least one hour prior to departure, and there is a $75 fee per passenger to cancel a reservation. The remaining balance will be placed in a credit file, which may be used for future bookings for up to one year from the date of the original booking. Failure to cancel reservations one hour prior to departure will result in the forfeiture of airfare.

AbeFroman · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2012, 01:54:40 AM »

i checked Hotwire agree the tech game. Tickets were 315. Probably around 400 if you wait till the Texas game to book

Shacks · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2012, 02:29:04 AM »

Quote from: bones129 on November 11, 2012, 01:30:39 AM

I will walk if I have to.

'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight

mocat · « **Reply #7 on:** November 11, 2012, 03:48:46 AM »

i did a MCI-GNV-FLL-MCI trip on Delta with only 1 week notice 2 weeks ago and it was less than 350, but the NC game is a different matter. flights seem pretty high right now imo

smith1051 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:03:36 AM »

Southwest right now $329. depart 1/4 and come back 1/9

slobber · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:05:44 AM »

Quote from: smith1051 on November 11, 2012, 08:03:36 AM

Southwest right now $329. depart 1/4 and come back 1/9

Reserve every seat on the plane. Sell them for $400. Profit.

smith1051 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:12:35 AM »

Or fly into West Palm Beach and get it for $250ish on Travelocity

K-S-U-Wildcats! · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:15:54 AM »

If you have access to a time machine, travel back a month and make your reservations then, like I did.

I don't believe in jinxes, but if I did, I would think making non-cancellable reservations is about as jinxy as it gets. Change fees are garbage, so stick to Southwest or plan on driving. You might consider flying in/out of Orlando instead of Ft. Lauderdale? Not sure if there's a significant cost savings or not, what with the Disney travel over winter break.

Don't forget car rental if you fly. That, at least, appears to be really cheap.

For lodging, I don't think you'll find any beachside resorts that don't charge at least a 1 night cancellation fee. You might consider booking something now at a cheaper establishment off the beach that is fully cancellable, just as a place holder, and then keep hunting as teams like Alabama, ND, etc. drop out of contention.

The alumni travel packages are $$$.

EuroCat · « **Reply #12 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:24:15 AM »

I can't find direct flights from KC or Tulsa to Miami or Ft Lauderdale anywhere so i'm guessing it's all sold out or out of season.

steve dave · « **Reply #13 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:26:30 AM »

aLoft in Tempe has been reserved by me for about a month now as well. LOL Cancel.

K-S-U-Wildcats! · « **Reply #14 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:28:36 AM »

Looks like you can get nonstop SW r/t flight to Orlando, 1/3 - 1/8, for $324.

For same dates, ff you want Ft. Lauderdale, the cheapest SW flights are both 1-stop, and cost $605. You can get something closer to $425 if you wait until 1/9 to fly home.

Orlando is a better way to go if you want Southwest.

kim carnes · « **Reply #15 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:28:57 AM »

Quote from: dobber on November 11, 2012, 08:05:44 AM

Quote from: smith1051 on November 11, 2012, 08:03:36 AM
Southwest right now $329. depart 1/4 and come back 1/9
Reserve every seat on the plane. Sell them for $400. Profit.

Go ahead and see how that works out for you.

steve dave · « **Reply #16 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:54:11 AM »

I'm booked here 4th-8th

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-fort-lauderdale-beach-resort-FLLFSHH/index.html

Emo EMAW · « **Reply #17 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:06:41 AM »

LOL if you're not staying in South Beach.

steve dave · « **Reply #18 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:26:32 AM »

Quote from: Emo EMAW on November 11, 2012, 09:06:41 AM

LOL if you're not staying in South Beach.

where are you staying emo emaw?

EllRobersonisInnocent · « **Reply #19 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:30:34 AM »

I'll be in the Ville doing

and

all night

ksucrcoop · « **Reply #20 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:34:42 AM »

booked my SW ticket for $300 and put down $115 to reserve my MNC ticket after the TTech game.

http://www.orangebowlteamtix.org/markets/sports/college-fb/kansas-state/2013-discover-bcs-national-championship-game/?host=ob

:humblebrag:

RightMeow · « **Reply #21 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:46:16 AM »

$244 into West Palm Beach (PBI).

wetwillie · « **Reply #22 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:49:33 AM »

Quote from: ksucrcoop on November 11, 2012, 09:34:42 AM

booked my SW ticket for $300 and put down $115 to reserve my MNC ticket after the TTech game.

http://www.orangebowlteamtix.org/markets/sports/college-fb/kansas-state/2013-discover-bcs-national-championship-game/?host=ob

:humblebrag:

wait so you are going to pay $115 over face value? for upper deck seats?

Rams · « **Reply #23 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:53:24 AM »

Quote from: Emo EMAW on November 11, 2012, 09:06:41 AM

LOL if you're not staying in South Beach.

no crap. I mean wtf people? you're better than that. ft. lauderdale? gross.

I'm flying into ft. lauderdale on southwest and immediately taking a cab to the hilton bentley on south beach for 4 nights courtesy of axon. thanks credit card thread. I booked right after the wv game.

star seed 7 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 11, 2012, 10:06:49 AM »

thread makes me wish i wasn't a poor.