Cheap Travel?

Peledreamsofrain

Hi all, hope your Monday is going well.

Unfortunately my weekend wasn't so awesome, and I learned last night that my grandmother is being taken off of life support.  She's expected to die within the next 24 hours .  I'm beating myself up about not being able to make the trip out to Indiana this Christmas, believe me.

Anyway, I'd really like to go to the funeral, because I know this will devistate my mom (grandma is on maternal side) and I really want to be there for her.   The problem is that both myself and my husband are poor.  I just checked the airline sites and they want 800 + dollars for flights scheduled less than two weeks in advance.

We could theoretically drive for much cheaper, but my dad is very much against the idea because it's a dangerous trip this time of year from Idaho to Indiana.  There are a lot of really bad blizzard zones to drive through.  Plus it would be exhausting to travel 2 and a half days both ways, and leave only one day to actually be present for the funeral.

Thoughts?  Ideas?  I'm thinking I'm out of luck

AddieCake

I am in the same boat. I booked my flight for my grandfather's funeral for tomorrow to the tune of $839. I even checked Southwest, but everything was crazy expensive for such short notice. I just had to suck it up b/c I just can't make that drive. 

thejucheidea

I'd take the train. It's bound to be cheaper. We take the train everywhere instead of flying because it's much cheaper and enjoyable.

Peledreamsofrain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_cheap-travel?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:a9c187f7-84ce-4fe6-8272-b8830aa29ac6Post:ceeeb960-3aca-4910-9551-9c30c536b752">Re: Cheap Travel?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'd take the train. It's bound to be cheaper. We take the train everywhere instead of flying because it's much cheaper and enjoyable.
Posted by ahstillwell[/QUOTE]

I've been honestly considering this option above anything else at the moment.  I'm just a bit hesitant because I recently herniated discs in my back, and am worried about the motion of the train.  Is it relatively smooth in your experience?  I think we'd book a room with beds so that I don't have to stay in one position constantly during the 30+ hour trip.  But that's an extra 200 dollars.   *sigh*  Life doesn't like to pull it's punches.


And I'm sorry for your loss Addie. *hugs* and goodwishes.

erinlin25

always worth a shot, but when FI grandfather passed away we called the airline (southwest) to let them know circumstances and they gave us a better rate since it was a family emergency.  My mom did that too when her dad passed away a few years ago (she flew Delta for that trip).  Its never a guarantee, but never hurts to ask. 

lyndausvi

I'm sorry for you upcoming lose.

I wish I could help, unfortunately I'm not surprised at the costs.    Can you look at train options?

courtski2004

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!

Did you check with the airlines about bereavement fares? Sometimes it isn't much of a discount, but it is something.

When my grandfather passed away a few years ago, we lucked out with a last-minute deal from DFW to Maine on Travelocity. It included flight and rental car, and it was $250-300-ish each. Normally, a single flight can cost twice that even if you do plan ahead. If you don't want to drive and flights are too expensive, you could travel by train or bus.

misssunshine17

I second the train. Buy a couple books and be glad you're saving money.

Sorry for your loss.

NcsuPsych

I also would suggest looking into the train. DH recently took a train from NC to CT and says the ride wasn't bumpy and that the seats were actually a lot more comfortable than plane seats. Plus, you have the ability to get up, walk around and go to the snack car or something.

I'm sorry about what you and your family is going through. Best wishes!

QueerFemme

I'm sorry for your loss.  Can you consider doing a bid on Priceline?  You don't get to select the time of day you travel, just the days.  So, if you are open to times, you can bid on it.  I have had very good luck with priceline, and often get flights for about 60% of the published fare.  If you need to fly at a specific time of day, Priceline won't work for you. 

The way it works (in case you haven't used it before) is you put in the airports you need to travel from/to, and you bid on the flight.  (Make it a good bid, because you only get to bid once unless you change something, like adding an additional airport or something like that).  I usually bid about 60-65% of the published price, and I would say I'm about 75-80% successful.  Once you bid, you will get an answer back in about 60 seconds.  If you bid, be sure you are ready to buy, because your card is charged immediately if they find an airline willing to accept your offer.  You will end up flying anywhere between 6am and 10pm on the day you selected. 

If they don't find an airline willing to accept your price, you aren't charged anything. 

Peledreamsofrain

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_cheap-travel?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:a9c187f7-84ce-4fe6-8272-b8830aa29ac6Post:e2a4916a-bc9f-4363-8d51-713de1b18e27">Re: Cheap Travel?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm sorry for your loss.  Can you consider doing a bid on Priceline?  You don't get to select the time of day you travel, just the days.  So, if you are open to times, you can bid on it.  I have had very good luck with priceline, and often get flights for about 60% of the published fare.  If you need to fly at a specific time of day, Priceline won't work for you.  The way it works (in case you haven't used it before) is you put in the airports you need to travel from/to, and you bid on the flight.  (Make it a good bid, because you only get to bid once unless you change something, like adding an additional airport or something like that).  I usually bid about 60-65% of the published price, and I would say I'm about 75-80% successful.  Once you bid, you will get an answer back in about 60 seconds.  If you bid, be sure you are ready to buy, because your card is charged immediately if they find an airline willing to accept your offer.  You will end up flying anywhere between 6am and 10pm on the day you selected.  If they don't find an airline willing to accept your price, you aren't charged anything. 
Posted by cmgilpin[/QUOTE]

I had no idea that this existed!  Thank you so much for posting this information!  I will definitely look into Priceline.  If we can get it down that much, then it's just as expensive as taking the train and getting a room (I just can't imagine sitting in one place for 30 hours and not paying for it with my back the way it is).

You guys are all awesome!  This is why I love the Knot so much, it's the best community.

kbsmom1

try calling the airlines.....ask about bereavement fares.....its usually half the price....you have to be a close relative, and supply some documentation.......also check the website Kayak...its a multiple seach engine for the cheapest fare....so sorry for your loss

thejucheidea

Regarding the train, in my experience, it's very smooth. I have scoliosis and have a lot of neck pain but find the sway of the train very soothing. The seats in coach are actually pretty comfortable -- I sat in one all the way from Memphis to Seattle twice. We get a roomette now that we aren't as broke as we were back a few years ago, but the seats actually recline pretty well and are comfortable.

If you do take the train, bring your own food -- if you don't have a room, the food in the dining car is pretty pricey.

freebread03

Ditto KBsmom-ask for a bereavement fare.  My grandmother died last Monday, and I had to fly out on Thursday after work, and ended up paying 800$ from DC to San Diego.  My co-worker then told me to ask for a bereavement fare (too late).  I was really lucky in that we were JUST out to visit in December-she'd been seeming a lot older (she was 92) so it was somewhat anticipated.  Sorry to hear about your grandmother, but hopefully you can make it out to be with your family.

Peledreamsofrain

I have actually already called Delta about their Bereavement Fare.  The guy was extremely unhelpful unfortunately.  He told me that all they could do is get me short notice booking for flights (I had to reserve within 3 days of the funeral).  He said that there wouldn't necessarily be a rate reduction.  

When I asked him to run a hypothetical booking for me as if I was going to the funeral on Thursday, he told me he couldn't even do that much.  It was very discouraging.

JadziaDax

I never heard of a bereavement fare, but maybe you can try a different airline?

I am very sorry about your Grandmother, and Addie, i'm sorry about your Grandfather as well. I hope you're able to work something out in regards to travel.