Cross-Country Air Travel

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I'm taking the family to the PacNW this summer. First time for my boys flying (both under 10). First time for my wife being crammed in a tube for 5-7 hours. Any tips/suggestions for airlines?

I'm a SOuthwest fan, but their damn price has gone from $1,800 roundtrip to $2,600 in one week!!! I am convinced those bastards monitor people's searches and jack the price up every time you search for your flight to check on the price.

I'm at the point now where American Airline's usually higher price is now cheaper than Southwest, even with paying for 4 checked bags.

I'm not worried about checking a gun or anything else atypical. What are the tips/tricks to finding the best rate? Southwest's used to be like early AM on Wednesdays they'd let a few cheap seats go, but I'm not seeing that.

I realize every company has it's bad reviews, too. At this point, I don't have any airline on a blacklist necessarily. I'm looking for the balance of cost, available flights (no red-eye's), and no exhobident extra costs (I'm not paying to use the shitter!).
 
For certain airlines use Dynamic Pricing. The more you search, the higher the quote. Some also quote higher if you search from an iOS device ‘cause owners of those can afford to pay more. ;)
 
I've had the best luck by calling said airline directly without the use of a (price getter).
 
Clear your browser history and cookies. Use a VPN or better, Tor, so they can’t see the same IP address looking for tickets.
 
For certain airlines use Dynamic Pricing. The more you search, the higher the quote. Some also quote higher if you search from an iOS device ‘cause owners of those can afford to pay more. ;)
I don't doubt this one bit.
 
For certain airlines use Dynamic Pricing. The more you search, the higher the quote. Some also quote higher if you search from an iOS device ‘cause owners of those can afford to pay more. ;)

This happens with many products, not just air travel. When we price tickets we look on out phones, desktop, and laptop.

Also, check out 'hidden city' fares; that is, it might be cheaper to book a ticket to, say, SEATAC, but debark in Portland as a connection. Even though the final destination is SEATAC, it might be cheaper to book SEATAC as a final destination, and just get off in Portland.

I know no one uses travel agents anymore, but they can get cheaper fares, too.
 
This happens with many products, not just air travel. When we price tickets we look on out phones, desktop, and laptop.

Also, check out 'hidden city' fares; that is, it might be cheaper to book a ticket to, say, SEATAC, but debark in Portland as a connection. Even though the final destination is SEATAC, it might be cheaper to book SEATAC as a final destination, and just get off in Portland.

I know no one uses travel agents anymore, but they can get cheaper fares, too.
I'm all for flying into an alternate airport. I did that the one time I've been to San Francisco. Flew into Oakland and took the BART under the bay. Saved a lot but you had to mind the smell of vomit on the subway.

Odd thing about Seattle, for being such a huge metro area, there don't seem to be any other airports that the major airlines fly in/out of. Portland is a wee bit too far (3+ hour drive) to Seattle, and we're actually moving on well north of Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula.
 
Call a TRAVEL AGENT they have forgotten more about this that you'll ever know.....
Do airlines really give agents such a discount as to still leave room for the agent to make money and be cheaper than what I can find online (air fare + the agent's fee)?
 
Airlines and travel companies use cookies, and will start to raise your price the more you search (or the more frantically you search) Use incognito or wipe your cookies to see the cheapest rates, and try all of the various travel sites out there too.

I've flown cross country on both Southwest and Delta before. My delta flight was cheapest, but I had 4 layovers. I've had two cross country flights on southwest. They did cost more, but only had one layover, at their hub in Chicago.

I've never flown with a gun before, so I can't comment on that.
 
Always ask for upgrades as you check in.

I once had to fly to Miami with a sniper rifle and all my gear, for a training course. The baggage fee was over $120
However a 1st class up grade was $50 and included free luggage.
So, as befitting my status, I rode in first class, and made fun of the peasants in steerage class.
Mwahahaha..
Anyway, I got to ride in first class and save $70
 
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