Summer trip

[Mishlg]

I am trying to put together something now with PHX and Vegas, and grand canyon, death valley, red rock canyon and looking up so national parks of Utah (as we have never been) I am also looking up pleases to stay along the way to each destination. We dont want to just stay in Vegas. Yes I kn ow it will be 2 one way tickets and im fine with that. I guess when i have a tentative together ill post it here

[AZBuck]

We should also warn you that flying this year is a nightmare. There have been several stories in the news about airlines having trouble re-hiring crews that were laid off during the pandemic. They simply can't keep up with the current increase in demand for flights. Also, there has been a huge spike in the number of unruly passengers who have to be thrown off flights, mostly at the departure airport, but occasionally requiring an unscheduled stop while en route. My cousin, a senior pilot for Delta, says that he routinely has to have about a passenger a week removed from his planes. So keep that in mind as you plan.

And even then plan for your plans to be thrown out the window by your carrier. In my own case, I booked a flight into Philadelphia on American for a niece's wedding later this summer, even 'upgrading' to so called premium economy. About a week ago I got an email from them saying that my flights had been changed. The first thing I noticed was that one of my upgraded seats had been changed to a middle seat back by the aft lavatories. Then I noticed that rather than departing out of PHL at 10:45 am that flight was now scheduled to leave at 8:30 meaning that I'll have to get up at around 5:00 am to get to Philly, drop off the car, and get through security. I also get to spend another 2+ hours in Dallas/Fort Worth (Oh the joy) because the next leg's departure time had not changed.

When I called American's "customer service", I got a recording that said that due to the high volume of calls, my call would not be returned for "over four hours". That was at 10:30 am. They finally called back at midnight and then proceeded to put me on hold for a full hour before I finally gave up. Same thing, more or less, the next day. I finally did get the seat assignments worked out - I did it myself on-line. And one last thing... Since I booked those flights a couple of months ago, the cost for the exact same trip has gone up nearly $200!

So book early and be prepared to roll with the punches that will come your way at least through the summer.

AZbuck

[landmariner]

You might want to try Southwest Airlines. No change fees, no seat fees, 2 free checked bags. They service the NYC area (LaGuardia and Long Island/Islip). For itinerary changes you make you pay the difference or they refund the difference. No seat fees, but one boards the plane and picks from remaining seats. Two free checked bags.

The Parks may be very crowded and the lines gaining entrance to the park very long. Develop a strategy but realize it might change.

[DonnaR57]

My daughters flew into San Diego last Friday, one from Denver on Delta, the other from St Louis on Southwest Air. Then they went home on Monday, same airlines. The Denver daughter's plane was late departing Denver and got her in 1-1/4 later than she expected. It worked out, but it could have been a big problem for others. The Southwest plane? On time in both directions, even getting into STL on Monday 20 minutes early.

I read about the American Airlines issues, not knowing that it has affected "one of our own" on RTA. So sorry for you about that, AZBuck!

The other thing to do right now is to *reserve your rental car*. You can usually cancel it if you can't get a flight. Rental cars are short in supply this year.


Donna

[NowthatIamretired]

The other thing to do right now is to *reserve your rental car*. You can usually cancel it if you can't get a flight. Rental cars are short in supply this year.


Donna

So true. We are flying from DC to Denver early September and I just booked a rental car. It cost 50% MORE than two round trip tickets, and that was with AAA discount. Do check for discounts but be careful. I tried through Amazon Primes connection with Avis and the rental price looked lower at first BUT they tagged well over $200 fees onto it, taking it over $1000 for 9 days. The Hertz fare, which looked higher, included the fees so it was about $200 less.

[landmariner]

Try Costco--four rental car agencies they participate in--a discount plus some additional benefits.

[Midwest Michael]

As bad as the prices are, another reason to book the car rental early is you may not have any options otherwise.

I've found this summer a great number of times that when I search for rental cars I simply get "no cars available" - something that's even worse when trying to search for one way rentals.

Also, keep an even closer eye on fees. The last time I was about to book a car, I found a reasonable price with Budget/Avis thanks to some discount codes, but on the last page they dropped in a real poison pill: Zero Miles Included. At 39 cents a mile, that reasonable rate quickly would have turned into a mortgage payment. I couldn't tell you the last time I saw a mainline US rental car company do anything but unlimited miles, so that was quite the shock.

[NowthatIamretired]

Yes, Budget/Avis was the one with a $200+ fee tacked on at the very end. When I chose not to go with them I also wanted to delete my credit card and drivers license numbers from the profile I had to set up since I had not been with them before and could not do that. I spent almost an hour on line from customer service to manager to customer service before I was given the way, via email, to request them to delete my profile as I do not like that info “out there” no matter what anyone says about their security. Now, I need to go back and make sure mileage isn’t an add on with Hertz. At least I know it can be canceled at any time.

[Mishlg]

So true. We are flying from DC to Denver early September and I just booked a rental car. It cost 50% MORE than two round trip tickets, and that was with AAA discount. Do check for discounts but be careful. I tried through Amazon Primes connection with Avis and the rental price looked lower at first BUT they tagged well over $200 fees onto it, taking it over $1000 for 9 days. The Hertz fare, which looked higher, included the fees so it was about $200 less.

Yes I see cars one way are expensive. 2000 and up But I know this as I work in the industry. Since Im connected to a corporate account the car with National is way less, and unlimited miles for me. Still figuring it out and I appreciate all the advise

[Mishlg]

As bad as the prices are, another reason to book the car rental early is you may not have any options otherwise.

I've found this summer a great number of times that when I search for rental cars I simply get "no cars available" - something that's even worse when trying to search for one way rentals.

Also, keep an even closer eye on fees. The last time I was about to book a car, I found a reasonable price with Budget/Avis thanks to some discount codes, but on the last page they dropped in a real poison pill: Zero Miles Included. At 39 cents a mile, that reasonable rate quickly would have turned into a mortgage payment. I couldn't tell you the last time I saw a mainline US rental car company do anything but unlimited miles, so that was quite the shock.

Any time I had to book a car not airport to airport there was always a 35cent per mile fee.