travel reservations

[easyrider]

A while back I checked my car rental for a winter trip and was able to change it to save a bit on an intermediate car. Today the price was down again to less than half of the original to about $20 a day for a full sized car. I have been checking our flights and was able to change our reservation to better flights. I looked at the seat chart and found the flights are maybe 25% to 40% full at this time.

Bill

 

[Jan M.]

Do you use the price tracker feature on www.autoslash.com?

 

[dioxide45]

Not sure who you are flying with, but with the Basic Economy fares, not everyone is preselecting seats. So flights may look not as full now but those seats start to get assigned when people start checking in.

 

[easyrider]

Have you found any other tricks for securing better deals on travel reservations like specific times or days to check for price drops?

Nope. I just check when I'm bored, lol.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

Not sure who you are flying with, but with the Basic Economy fares, not everyone is preselecting seats. So flights may look not as full now but those seats start to get assigned when people start checking in.

It's Alaska Airlines. When you make a reservation at Alaska Airlines you can choose your seats. Maybe some people don't select their seat but that would be taking a chance of getting a bad seat so I think most people choose their seat. The worst area is near the back of the airplane near the rest rooms on the isle seats, imo.

Bill

 

[WaikikiFirst]

It's Alaska Airlines.

Bill

Alaska Airlines' Saver fare does not include free seat selection; seats are assigned at check-in, though you can purchase a seat if one is available. It has been that way for 3 yrs, according to AI. (which I do kinda, sorta trust when I don't really know what I am talking about ... just like everyone here)
I agree with dioxide. My wife switched our flights around a couple times in the last 2 yrs, and she gets me to look at the seat selection when she does. It amazes me how the plane looks empty not so long bfore the depart date, but then you get there and the "Flight Is Full".

 

[DeniseM]

Hi Bill,
That fantastic that you managed to snag such great deals on your car rental and flights! Its amazing how much you can save by keeping an eye on prices and being flexible with reservations Your strategy of checking back regularly clearly paid off with that drop to $20 a day for a full sized car that a steal! Its also interesting to hear the flights are only 25% to 40% full that must make for a more comfortable trip
Have you found any other tricks for securing better deals on travel reservations like specific times or days to check for price drops?

AI much?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[easyrider]

Alaska Airlines' Saver fare does not include free seat selection; seats are assigned at check-in, though you can purchase a seat if one is available. It has been that way for 3 yrs, according to AI. (which I do kinda, sorta trust when I don't really know what I am talking about ... just like everyone here)
I agree with dioxide. My wife switched our flights around a couple times in the last 2 yrs, and she gets me to look at the seat selection when she does. It amazes me how the plane looks empty not so long bfore the depart date, but then you get there and the "Flight Is Full".

We don't use the saver fares. In fact, I rarely see that option because we have been using points for decades. Yup, many times I look for an upgrade a month before our flights and see the seat chart is near full. Usually, before our flight, I take a look because I reserve a window and isle and want to see if someone took the middle.

Bill

 

[claraj]

I used to book the saver tickets when I was traveling alone or with another friend. Now I travel with my niece and nephew (and their parents of course). I rather pay for "main economy" so I can pick seats and we can sit together.

 

[davidvel]

A lot of people are booking saver seats, or the airlines wouldn't waste time with them. Allowing travelers to choose these levels is great for maximizing revenue with the higher end traveler, while allowing rock bottom fares to those who can travel without certainty of seat location (a few other perks). On recent flights the difference between basic/saverfares and regular main is about $100 or more rt.

 

[claraj]

A lot of people are booking saver seats, or the airlines wouldn't waste time with them. Allowing travelers to choose these levels is great for maximizing revenue with the higher end traveler, while allowing rock bottom fares to those who can travel without certainty of seat location (a few other perks). On recent flights the difference between basic/saverfares and regular main is about $100 or more rt.

It's over $200 RT for JFK to Paris!

 

[easyrider]

A lot of people are booking saver seats, or the airlines wouldn't waste time with them. Allowing travelers to choose these levels is great for maximizing revenue with the higher end traveler, while allowing rock bottom fares to those who can travel without certainty of seat location (a few other perks). On recent flights the difference between basic/saverfares and regular main is about $100 or more rt.

I'm remembering that saver fares are the fares that get bumped first is why we don't use them.

Bill

 

[Glynda]

We flew Delta nonstop to CHS from BOS early Saturday afternoon and our 150 passenger plane only had 50 passengers. They had to reconfigure our seats to balance the weight! That was a first for me.