Anyone good at finding cheap air fare?

[웃 910]

Please do not say things such as "go to kayak.com" or just name a "good" site for comparisons. I have tried that and air fare is running around $800.

Need EXACT DAYS December 17 to December 24 from DETROIT (DTW) to ACAPULCO (ACA)]

The best I can do is $829, leaving DTW at 10:10 am and arriving in ACA at 8:10pm which is horrible, completely kills day 1 of 7 days travel.

Returning flight leaves at 3:17pm and arrives at 11:05pm.

In the mid 1990s flights were less than $200....In 2006 flights were $350......And these were direct 4 hour flights....leave at 6am, arrive at 10am....even a few months ago you could get flights for $500.>>>>>>>>>>####### is the problem.

Edited November 13, 2010 by Lord Infamous

[nab 74]

In the mid 1990s flights were less than $200....In 2006 flights were $350......And these were direct 4 hour flights....leave at 6am, arrive at 10am....even a few months ago you could get flights for $500.>>>>>>>>>>####### is the problem.

is waiting till after thanksgiving, christmas, new year not an option at all? because trying to get 1990 prices in 2010 during the holidays, well... have you ever heard the phrase "never gonna happen my friend"?

i would love to see what a $200 Chicago to Acapulco trip would look like now... the guys from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles would have a better trip.

seriously, $800 doesnt sound bad for:

#1 holiday travel period

#2 vacation/winter destination

#3 a little last minute (book months out if you want to grab the airlines 'discounted' seats because they only set aside so many of them - i used to book 6 months out to get the cheapest forida rates, and you are traveling out of country)

#4 time of day - you are not booking 'red eye' flights now where previously (2006) you took the last one of the 'night'.

other factors:

refundable tickets vs nonrefundable

direct flights

'class' - coach, business, 1st

additional fees for bags (used to be free, now many airlines charge)

other 'additional fees' - check what is veing quoted to you in that $800+

Edited November 13, 2010 by nab

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You're trying to fly somewhere warmer for the winter. Not to mention during the holiday period. I did a quick search and the lowest I could find with the best flight plan is:

United, Flight Operated By Continental Airlines 3980Continental Airlines, Flight 711

1 Stop

Depart: 7:55 AM Detroit, MI (DTW)

Arrive: 2:22 PM Acapulco, Mexico (ACA)

Connect in: Houston

Price: $1023

Way more expensive than the one you found, but better flight times.

[Anh map 2,098]

There are fewer available seats now (not as many flights).

That time period is during the holidays.

Flight dates are Fridays.

All those factors are against you.

Prices will be significantly higher than several years ago.

[nab 74]

There are fewer available seats now (not as many flights).

That time period is during the holidays.

Flight dates are Fridays.

All those factors are against you.

Prices will be significantly higher than several years ago.

you are correct... used to be tue-thurs were cheapest days to travel and a weekend stay over made it even more cheap (IDK why though!).

[slim 1,514]

USA3000 or Apple Vacations should be able to accomodate you.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

Please do not say things such as "go to kayak.com" or just name a "good" site for comparisons. I have tried that and air fare is running around $800.

Need EXACT DAYS December 17 to December 24 from DETROIT (DTW) to ACAPULCO (ACA)]

The best I can do is $829, leaving DTW at 10:10 am and arriving in ACA at 8:10pm which is horrible, completely kills day 1 of 7 days travel.

Returning flight leaves at 3:17pm and arrives at 11:05pm.

In the mid 1990s flights were less than $200....In 2006 flights were $350......And these were direct 4 hour flights....leave at 6am, arrive at 10am....even a few months ago you could get flights for $500.>>>>>>>>>>####### is the problem.

Cheapseats.com - $598 r/t

Delta/Continental ft/1893-365

Aeromexico ft309

It sounds like you aren't working on this very hard.

[nab 74]

Cheapseats.com - $598 r/t

Delta/Continental ft/1893-365

Aeromexico ft309

It sounds like you aren't working on this very hard.

but he wants it all: direct flight, shorter flight, for cheap... can get those first two, but it wont be cheap.

that delta/aeromexico ($578) would be rough at 12hrs 15min and 2 stops plus note the extra fees jack it up to $714

the United/Continental wouldnt be too bad for $668 for 1 stop, at 7hrs 27min, and it is business/1st class but after fees it's $908 (extra $79 to get there 3hrs more quickly than the $829 ticket, that could be worth it if time is money)

the $829 ticket is 10hr and 8hr flights, are they are direct flights ... i dont see that on original post

[Ken y Leidys 20]

but he wants it all: direct flight, shorter flight, for cheap... can get those first two, but it wont be cheap.

that delta/aeromexico ($578) would be rough at 12hrs 15min and 2 stops

It wasn't a 12 hour flight when I looked it up on-line.