thoughts on travel agent getting tickets

[E's Mommy]

I'm looking to purchase 5 first class tickets to HNL in July 2011. The prices don't seem to move much at all and are pretty high - $2400 each:eek:. I've been looking since March for prices for this summer and next summer - not moving at all :(. Do you think I can get better rates going with a travel agent? I'm thinking I should buy early to ensure everyone is seated together and it doesn't look like the price is going to go much lower. Thanks ahead of time for your opinions.:o

 

Kristina

[fbgd]

Since my crystal ball is broken I don't know what prices the TAs you speak to will offer. However, unless you find a good TA or one who specialises in premium class travel they'll likely just use the GDS, the same GDS that you look at through the main TAs' websites so will come up with the same prices.

 

Also as you've not said where you're flying from, which airlines you are considering or given much information it's hard for anyone to give you any helpful assistance.

 

F class tickets aren't supposed to be cheap, I'd say $2400 return isn't expensive from the mainland but it depends on your local market.

[klfrodo]

My experience only

 

First class seats don't go on sale. Those seats are either going to sell or they'll be "sold" to frequent fliers via miles, or upgraded to top tier mileage members.

There is a limited inventory unlike "coach" seats.

[E's Mommy]

Since my crystal ball is broken I don't know what prices the TAs you speak to will offer. However, unless you find a good TA or one who specialises in premium class travel they'll likely just use the GDS, the same GDS that you look at through the main TAs' websites so will come up with the same prices.

 

Also as you've not said where you're flying from, which airlines you are considering or given much information it's hard for anyone to give you any helpful assistance.

 

F class tickets aren't supposed to be cheap, I'd say $2400 return isn't expensive from the mainland but it depends on your local market.

 

sorry about the lack of details...I'm at work and trying to do this on lunch;). I'm coming from MSY (we really haven't got all of flights back from Katrina yet..if you can believe that!!). I think my best bet is MSY to HNL via ATL b/c of the "lay back" seat on Delta out of ATL. Normally I would say buying this early is crazy but my gut is telling me I'm not going to get much better. I'm glad to hear that $2400 isn't expensive for what I'm looking for.

 

Thanks!

[6rugrats]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1198318&highlight=

 

What type of aircraft is this (from ATL-HNL)? Is it actually F or business? There are not many planes with "lie flat" seats, and I think most of them on this routing currently are angled lie flat seats. Be careful what flights you pick.

 

I do not think most frequent fliers would say it is worth it to purchase first/business tickets to Hawaii. I think $2400 pp is outrageously expensive for this routing. I do agree they are not likely to go on sale, especially for summer travel.

 

We just got back from a trip to Hawaii, and were upgraded to F free because of status. I would never have paid for it; simply not worth it, but of course, we all make our own choices.

[E's Mommy]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1198318&highlight=

 

What type of aircraft is this (from ATL-HNL)? Is it actually F or business? There are not many planes with "lie flat" seats, and I think most of them on this routing currently are angled lie flat seats. Be careful what flights you pick.

 

I do not think most frequent fliers would say it is worth it to purchase first/business tickets to Hawaii. I think $2400 pp is outrageously expensive for this routing. I do agree they are not likely to go on sale, especially for summer travel.

 

We just got back from a trip to Hawaii, and were upgraded to F free because of status. I would never have paid for it; simply not worth it, but of course, we all make our own choices.

 

 

It's the 32 Lie-flat seats with 176 degrees recline. I don't think we have enough miles to upgrade, so we would have to buy it if we want it.

[6rugrats]

It's the 32 Lie-flat seats with 176 degrees recline. I don't think we have enough miles to upgrade' date=' so we would have to buy it if we want it.[/quote']

You must be on an A330-300 then, and are looking at BusinessElite.

[E's Mommy]

You must be on an A330-300 then, and are looking at BusinessElite.

 

yes

[waterbug123]

I do not think most frequent fliers would say it is worth it to purchase first/business tickets to Hawaii.

 

I don't know.... Atlanta to Honolulu is a 10 hour flight, whereas Atlanta to London is only about 8.5, and yet many FF's consider business well worth it for transatlantic flights. YMMV

[fbgd]

I do not think most frequent fliers would say it is worth it to purchase first/business tickets to Hawaii. I think $2400 pp is outrageously expensive for this routing. I do agree they are not likely to go on sale, especially for summer travel.

 

We just got back from a trip to Hawaii, and were upgraded to F free because of status. I would never have paid for it; simply not worth it, but of course, we all make our own choices.

 

From the west coast, particular ex-LAX (no sn1ggering at the back!) the F fares to HI usually begin with a '2', that's just market demand. Ironically you'll pay less to travel from the east coast to HI and back than from the left!

 

Personally at $2400 for 5hrs each way (flying from California) with a regular domestic F product, as many of those flights are, I'd probably just slum it economy and take my exit row and enjoy my other FF benefits...from the east coast, however, you can generally swing a much better product (AA 767s ex-DFW or DL A330s ex-ATL) and be flying for longer so the $2400 is money well spent.

 

sorry about the lack of details...I'm at work and trying to do this on lunch;). I'm coming from MSY (we really haven't got all of flights back from Katrina yet..if you can believe that!!). I think my best bet is MSY to HNL via ATL b/c of the "lay back" seat on Delta out of ATL. Normally I would say buying this early is crazy but my gut is telling me I'm not going to get much better. I'm glad to hear that $2400 isn't expensive for what I'm looking for.

 

Looking at flights ex-MSY around $2400 seems ballpark. I looked at flights from Gulfport and they were around the same. From Baton Rouge Continental do offer a fare which is $2100 p.p into HNL. Given you're taking five people you've got to decide whether or not the drive is worth it to save $1500 or so.