danmdevries
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 8:56:33 AM
Gotta book a plane and a car for a trip to Florida in March.

Recommendations of sites to use?

I think I used expedia a few years ago when I flew to FL and got a pretty sweet price at least on the rental car (10 a day or something like that. The insurance was more than the rental). Looking at direct bookings briefly didn't see any deals like that.

MACS
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 10:13:48 AM
I've used a number of them. Usually go with whoever is cheapest.

Make sure you clear your browser history when you look, though. It's a pain in the arse, because you have to login to all your favorite sites again, but from what I understand it's the way to go.

ajerrils
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 10:16:21 AM

I've used a number of them. Usually go with whoever is cheapest.

Make sure you clear your browser history when you look, though. It's a pain in the arse, because you have to login to all your favorite sites again, but from what I understand it's the way to go.

MACS wrote:

If using Google Crome just an incognito tab saves time without having to delete the history.

tonygraz
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 10:26:08 AM
Try Costco or Autoslash.com.

The prices change frequently for all the rental companies.

MACS
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 11:38:04 AM

If using Google Crome just an incognito tab saves time without having to delete the history.

ajerrils wrote:

Brilliant!!!

Gene363
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 11:49:43 AM
Expedia

Also the airline, especially if it is Delta.

Car rentals are the most variable, it is appalling what they will charge if you don't use other way to shop rates.

dstieger
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 12:31:05 PM
In last 18 months, I've used Expedia, Travelocity, Trivago, Hotels.com, Kayak, Priceline and a half dozen others. They all suck and none are considerably better than any other. The good hotel deals that I've gotten are generally special offers from hotel chains. Same with car deals. Some web booking doesn't check offsite very well. Its worth the effort. You may find, for example an Enterprise that is 3 miles from airport, but costs a third of the airport rate...and they'll give you a ride.

Airfare is an absolute crapshoot. You have to check every day - flex dates can make a HUGE difference. Travel on a holiday if you can, though if in March, that may not help. Also won't help that most schools will be shipping their brats to Florida in March. I'm guessing that they'll be headed there on March 10/11 and 17/18. I wouldn't try to fly to FLA on those dates if can help it....In fact, I don't think I'd go near FLA in March, if I could help it.

Gene363
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 1:14:05 PM

In last 18 months, I've used Expedia, Travelocity, Trivago, Hotels.com, Kayak, Priceline and a half dozen others. They all suck and none are considerably better than any other. The good hotel deals that I've gotten are generally special offers from hotel chains. Same with car deals. Some web booking doesn't check offsite very well. Its worth the effort. You may find, for example an Enterprise that is 3 miles from airport, but costs a third of the airport rate...and they'll give you a ride.

Airfare is an absolute crapshoot. You have to check every day - flex dates can make a HUGE difference. Travel on a holiday if you can, though if in March, that may not help. Also won't help that most schools will be shipping their brats to Florida in March. I'm guessing that they'll be headed there on March 10/11 and 17/18. I wouldn't try to fly to FLA on those dates if can help it....In fact, I don't think I'd go near FLA in March, if I could help it.

dstieger wrote:

Sometimes the best deals are 'sorted' down to subsequent pages. I'm guessing someone is paying to promote their more expensive deals.

itsawaldo
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 8:55:44 PM
When I traveled professionally I used Concur per corporate rules.

For myself I looked at all the travel sites as well as the hotel/airlines sites, I often found better deals that way. Include a car with either hotel/flight for best rates was my experiance.

Whistlebritches
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 9:30:24 PM
I use Orbitz almost exclusively.........same rates as all the rest and they have a great point/rewards system that equates to cash off future trips/rentals.
Krazeehorse
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 9:50:22 PM
You'll need to check airline websites too. Southwest and Allegiant for example do not show up as options on the travel websites.
danmdevries
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 10:21:27 PM

In last 18 months, I've used Expedia, Travelocity, Trivago, Hotels.com, Kayak, Priceline and a half dozen others. They all suck and none are considerably better than any other. The good hotel deals that I've gotten are generally special offers from hotel chains. Same with car deals. Some web booking doesn't check offsite very well. Its worth the effort. You may find, for example an Enterprise that is 3 miles from airport, but costs a third of the airport rate...and they'll give you a ride.

Airfare is an absolute crapshoot. You have to check every day - flex dates can make a HUGE difference. Travel on a holiday if you can, though if in March, that may not help. Also won't help that most schools will be shipping their brats to Florida in March. I'm guessing that they'll be headed there on March 10/11 and 17/18. I wouldn't try to fly to FLA on those dates if can help it....In fact, I don't think I'd go near FLA in March, if I could help it.

dstieger wrote:

Parents have a timeshare condo down there. Every year they invite one of their kids families down. Most of us are broke, and I've turned down two invites. So my oldest sister (got 4 of em) has gone every year. This is kinda more thumbing my nose at her than anything else to be honest. Not the best time of year for Orlando travel, but it's happening.

I'd drive, but I just finished an Atlanta trip and not feeling another at the moment. Though, driving would save me about a grand looking at the current airfare and rental rates. Might end up driving it in the end, but exploring my options for now.

Covfireman
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 3:36:28 AM
I've used the southwest site the last few times for the flight and the car rental.
madspackler
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 3:36:09 PM
Southwest usually has the cheapest fares when you figure in the checked bag fees. Travelocity has always treated me the best for rental car rates. In you have USAA car insurance, I would not spend the money on the extra insurance. The car rental companies today are in the insurance business and throw in the car as a benefit.
DrMaddVibe
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 5:35:26 PM
Don't piss off the Shat!
Mr. Jones
Thursday, September 22, 2016 12:06:35 PM
#7 dstieger

+1

Totally agree....

Those so called multi-check sites like

Trivago....SUCK BIG TIME....

SMARTER TO JOIN HOTEL CLUBS AND GET MEMBERSHIP RATES.

That 45 yr old (MR. MOD WITH the 5 day stubble

MUG) TRIVAGO GUY IS A MO-HO TOO

dstieger
Thursday, September 22, 2016 12:19:08 PM
Coincidentally, I needed a reservation last night to fly tomorrow morning - 36 hours later.

Our travel agent's 'insider' link got me better fare than the airlines' (SW, JetBlue, Frontier.) For gits and shiggles, I checked Travelocity - Saved over $120 on same flight I almost booked with agent's (a site which has been very consistently better than any other I've used the past 7 or 8 years...not sure exactly how it works, but its got some linkages into SABRE, Amadeus and I don't know what)

Anyway, I'm glad I checked - pretty surprised to find Travelocity beating the pro

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