How I Got Cheap Rates to Las Vegas Part 2
So even though the flight was $475.00 by time you added the taxes, fees, and oh, do not forget the $25 per bag, which is $50 roundtrip! Your flight ends up costing $650 plus. YIKS! $650 for a RT to Las Vegas. My average cost in the past 2000-2007 has been $200-$300 RT, minimal fees, no charge for first bag, plus free carryon. And Please don’t yell at me, I know the if I purchased a ticket a month ahead of time blah blah blah it would be cheaper. Get real, in this economy, you may not have the available income a month ahead of time, unless your boss is footin’ the bill.
So now it is time to redo my budget. Yes, I do have a budget (Took long class with Michelle Singletary – Prosperity Partners at my church) and I was considering not going. I was not prepared to pay that type of fare. I checked out going by train, but it cost approximate $360 one way. Therefore, that was not an option. One of my friends suggested the bus, oh Heck to the No. That would be too hard on my back to go cross-country via bus. BTW, RT bus from Washington DC to Las Vegas is apx $460 RT. Which is better than the $650-$850 airfare, but it does take 3 days.
By the last 7 days before the event, I saw a couple of good options; Jet Blue had a special flight for $179 one way back from Las Vegas. I thought OK, now you’re talkin’. Taxes and fees about $30 – so One-Way would be 209.00, baggage cost. My only challenge is that because I now am less than 7 days before my event, the cost to go to Las Vegas was $346.00 – however the first bag is free (less than 50 pound).
My Bad!
Had I been able to make this reservation a month ago, it would have been a no-brainer for this flight. But that is not a realistic situation for many of us – Mobile Mortals, having circumstances where we can’t commit to a flight until the last minute.
So – still hoping for a price, oh did I mention my budget for the flight was 350 RT (including fees, taxes & bags) – I know it’s a pipe dream. But I have to try something. Check out my next post on Thursday Evening
And here is what I did 4 days from my trip to get a RT Non-Stop Flight for $248.00 ($500 discount from PriceLine.com)
