Hi,
I'm starting to plan a trip from Sydney (Canberra but lets forget that for now) to Denver.
3 adults, 1 child (4 y/o) and 1 child (1 y/o).
At this stage we are looking at travelling around mid September 2013 for 4 weeks.
I've read several posts relating to O/S flights here all with some good bits of info.
I've been told to try and fly into Dallas F/W instead of LA as it's "easier" to clear customs and conecting flights will be cheaper (and prices are around the same). However when searching for good deals on flights most are SYD - LA and not Dallas.
I know it's still a while out from trip but just trying to get an idea of when the best time to fly is, with who, and when the deals will be comming out?!?!
Main Q's are:
- When travelling involves kids, am I better off going to see a travel agent or trying to nut it out myself online? (time is no issue)
- Is Sept. a good time to fly if looking for a good deal?
- When is a good time to start looking for/booking cheap flights? Airlines? Websites?
- Is there any telling when deals may be released by airlines and how far out from actual travel?
- Thoughts on LA or Dallas?
- If getting a good cheap deal on flights is it going to be possible to fly into Dallas but fly out from LA?
- Cheap domestic flights in US? (southwestern??)
Thanks!
Some of Sept was a good time. I booked 13 Sept 2012 this year, this being a week before school hols in NSW. Now booking on the 14th would have cost me much more. So you really have to play with Dates. But school holiday time is always more expensive, unless something else intervenes, and a few days before tends to be more expensive.
Also look at a ticket that may give you a stop over so you can fly say to Dallas, but stopover in LA on the way back. This all a matter of economics and the deals being offered. Plus in time saved you are going to trade off the total time as Dallas is further East than Denver, say it adds more than 1 hour of travel time, that will make up for the time lost in LA customs.
US domestic fares arent always that cheap, it just depends on where you are travelling to and when.
Clearing customs in LAX can be a pain. That said my last 2 trips were relatively fast (relative being the compared to previous 2 hours waits).
My experience is that you cant book more than 12 months in advance, and the cheap fares could come on at any time, but most times no more than 3 months out. (The Expedia ireland deal here was a bit weird and was outside that time frame) Gone it seems are the advance purchase deals of years ago. Plus you have to pay in advance, so there's lost interest etc
Airlines get nervous about 3-4 months out if the bookings are slow and offer deals. But again depends on demand which depends on how many eggs are laid by a chicken on a 23 degree day in Tashkent. ie we dont know ahead of time.
Also checkout http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au. Become a member free and ask for hints and tips there. There are many who really do have clues on trip bookings, cars, hotels, etc
If you are adventuresome and depends what you plan to do in Denver, you can fly to LAX, rent a car and drive to Denver, via Vegas and I70. One of the prettiest trips you can ever do. Theres also a slight detour to Zion NP and Bryce canyon. Google this to see what I mean. 3-4 days with stop overs. Then come back via Santa Fe, and Grand Canyon. But it depends on the need for the 4 weeks in Denver or you could extend your trip for a few days.
I booked a car with Alamo last year for $280 for 4 weeks and already have one for $380 this 4 week trip, but you might want a larger car than we had, Toyota Corolla
Hope that helps