Flight Costs

KatyKo · 06-06-2008, 09:00 AM

I am just starting out planning and working with a TA. They offer a payment plan, but told us that in order to book the flight, you have to pay for that in full and can pay monthly for the remainder of the cost.

I understand that the airlines probably won't take monthly payments because they have to book it immediately, but this worries me, as this is the most expensive part of the trip.

I'm afraid my close friends and family who want to go so badly, will not have $500-$700 just laying around to put as the "down payment" to go on the trip.

I rarely fly, and have never been out of the country, so it just might be me being naive, but is this too much to ask...or is this normal for people who travel by air?

Yari · 06-06-2008, 09:40 AM

For a DW it is normal to fly. When is your wedding?

I just booked a flight from LAX to Philly for $240 roundtrip...I was shocked at how cheap it was. Deals are still out there.

KatyKo · 06-06-2008, 10:16 AM

We are probably either going with Punta Cana or Cancun area because we can get direct flights there from Charlotte, NC. Obviously we will have to fly...but I'm just afraid paying it all at once will be overwhelming to our best friends.

I'm sure it will be fine...just having a mini freakout :)

Yari · 06-06-2008, 10:23 AM

I understand, I was worried about it too. It ended up working out for me. I have 45 booked so far...way more than I originally thought. People will surprise you.

PenMarie · 06-06-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yari

For a DW it is normal to fly. When is your wedding?

I just booked a flight from LAX to Philly for $240 roundtrip...I was shocked at how cheap it was. Deals are still out there.

wow, Yari, that's a great price. Do you mind me asking where you found your flight?

jkcz0702 · 06-06-2008, 11:38 AM

I am surprised that you have to pay for the airfare up front. We did not have to. I held 25 seats on the flight my FI and I are taking and I only had to put $60 down for each. We have until December to pay it off or cancel seats and get a refund. Maybe call other travel agents. If you want I am in NJ you can email me and I will give you our TA details if can not find anyone and want to use them.

DanielleNDerek · 06-06-2008, 01:48 PM

all of my guests had to pay for air at once. When it went on sale, they had a week to book it or the airline would let go of the seats. and it wasn't a problem everyone paid for the airfare it was around $650. now a lot of my guests travel a lot so they may be well aware of that fact. i would just warn your guests they would have to pay a big chunk of money for airfare upfront.

morenaindc · 06-06-2008, 11:16 PM

my guests have to pay the airfare up front as well...maybe it just depends on the company you actually are booked with ie apple vacations vs. liberty travel etc.

Yari · 06-07-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenMarie

wow, Yari, that's a great price. Do you mind me asking where you found your flight?

I don't mind at all.

I did a search on Cheap Flights, Cheap Hotels, Cheap Airfare, Airline Tickets, Travel Deals - SideStep then it directed me to cheap tickets. I then went to the Delta website and booked directly from their site.

TA Maureen · 06-07-2008, 09:19 PM

There are two different scenarios and that is why some people pay their airfare up front and some don't. If there is a good rate out there and you see it and want to grab it you could purchase the tickets up front. The other option is that you get a group contract with the airline which only requires a deposit. However, there can be downsides to this and a group contract is not always available on every flight with every airline. First you have to guarantee a certain number of seats and if you go under that there could be fees and costs that you would be responsible for. Second a group contract only locks in the base rate of your ticket. If there is an increase in taxes or surcharges before you pay for your ticket in full, you would still be responsible for those increase whereas someone that bought their ticket up front would have locked in that rate and owned that ticket.