cheap flights?? probably not possible

Woofy1989 · May 2011

Oooook. So here's the deal. My fiance' got in some trouble a few weeks ago, so his leave got denied. So we didn't know he could come home until last Friday. Ridiculous. We're getting married on Saturday. Anyways, because of this ridiculous situation, we haven't bought our plane tickets to go back to North Carolina from California. But his leave is up on Monday, so he has to leave on Sunday. I've been planning on going with him, but tickets are $450! I think this happened because it's Memorial Day weekend. Oops. Didn't do that on purpose... I know this is a classic issue military peeps have to deal with, but does anyone know anything about where I can find some cheaper tickets? I've checked Delta's and United's web sites, studentuniverse.com, priceline.com, southwest.com, and a few others. $:\$ I think we might be screwed.

P.S. Screw you, Marine Corps.

kara811 · May 2011

There are some airlines that have military desk. H and I always use Delta, we usually get the best deal from them. You'll have to call and ask for the military line. They're great for last minute flights, we've had to do this many times.

I wouldn't say "Screw MC" when it seems like it's your FI's fault that his leave was denied.

ETA: I'm a bit confused OP, your wedding is this weekend on the 14th, but you're saying tickets are high because it's Memorial Day Weekend, that isn't until the end of the month. It's probably high because it's so close. Like I said, have your FI call the military line.

iluvmytxrgr · May 2011

Your attitude seems a bit immature being that all of this seems to be your FI's fault.
Also, since it is Memorial Day weekend and tickets typically skyrocket for that weekend, I don't think you'll find cheaper prices. Check around on Kayak.com, Expedia and Travelocity.

mob2689 · May 2011

With it being Memorial Day Weekend, I think the Marine Corps said the same back at you.

The price you have is fair condiering the price of everything and the distance you are traveling. As PP stated try Delta.

G/L
Maybe it was her attitude that gor him in trouble?

Woofy1989 · May 2011

I say screw you, Marine Corps not just because of this situation. So don't think that's the only reason I have a bad attitude. And no, it was not my attitude that got him in trouble. It was his own bad choices. I get that. It was my action that even got him home. So don't give me any of that crap. I know it's his fault, but I still have bad feelings towards the Marine Corps because they've screwed up a lot of things in my life.

And yeah, after I posted this, I realized that I was wrong about Memorial Day weekend. I just was seeing that on travel sites and got a bit confused. So sorry for that accidental lie.

Thanks for the actual help though. I do appreciate that.

Woofy1989 · May 2011

Also, one of the reasons I'm upset at the Marine Corps about this specific situation is that they didn't tell us anything for sure until a week before the wedding was supposed to happen. So, yes, it was his fault. I'm not stupid. But it was their fault for withholding information.

kara811 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_cheap-flights-probably-not-possible?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:c72868d8-e42e-4070-b03d-16b29e43e157Post:9129483f-a9ce-4f6d-87ad-9580d01d4af6">Re: cheap flights?? probably not possible</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, one of the reasons I'm upset at the Marine Corps about this specific situation is that they didn't tell us anything for sure until a week before the wedding was supposed to happen. So, yes, it was his fault. I'm not stupid. But it was their fault for withholding information.
Posted by Woofy1989[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>It's the military, learn to live with it. And get used to things changing at the last minute. Anyhow, good luck on your wedding and hope you find flights. </div>

Beachy730 · May 2011

You sound awfully unfamiliar with how the military works, if you're that upset about something last minute. The military is all about last minute. Damn those terrorists for not giving us advanced warning when they are going to strike so that we know earlier if wedding leave can be approved.

ggirl2001 · May 2011

Yeah, I still don't have a definite if my FI will be home for the wedding. But thats the risk we took when we planned it and knew it. I don't blame the Marine Corps for it. Thats military life. They often don't approve leave until right before. That's happened a few times with my FI. Oh and the horror, when I went to visit him he was supposed to be able to have off work the one night, but no he had to work. Did I blame the Marine Corps? No, because that's life, whether military life or regular. Sometimes things don't go the way you planned, even your wedding.

ESquared423 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_cheap-flights-probably-not-possible?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:c72868d8-e42e-4070-b03d-16b29e43e157Post:5499c214-ea69-4c8a-b0d1-e07605477ff1">Re: cheap flights?? probably not possible</a>:
[QUOTE]I say screw you, Marine Corps not just because of this situation. So don't think that's the only reason I have a bad attitude. And no, it was not my attitude that got him in trouble. It was his own bad choices. I get that. It was my action that even got him home. So don't give me any of that crap. I know it's his fault, but <strong>I still have bad feelings towards the Marine Corps because they've screwed up a lot of things in my life.</strong> And yeah, after I posted this, I realized that I was wrong about Memorial Day weekend. I just was seeing that on travel sites and got a bit confused. So sorry for that accidental lie. Thanks for the actual help though. I do appreciate that.
Posted by Woofy1989[/QUOTE]

And yet...you're marrying into the MC lifestyle. It's the military, you will have A LOT more situations come up where you won't know the details until the very last minute, things change in an instant, nothing will ever go exaclty as planned. Know that.

I get a bad taste in my mouth when military wives trash on the branch their SO is a part of...hellooooo, who is paying for your house/utilities/schooling/insurance/giving your husband a job/benefits/etc.,etc.,etc.,etc.

SamiJoeB · May 2011

Can I just say that if you post sh*t like that on your FI, or your FB, you can get him into alot of trouble. And there's part of every leave chit that every SM has to sign that says they must have the money to cover the entirety of thier trip and to make sure that they are able to get back to thier place of duty before thier leave expires, ie.. waiting until the last minute to book a flight.

I'm sorry that the Marine Corps have so seriously messed up your life. I'm sorry that they give your FI a paycheck twice a month, and 30 days of paid vacation a year. I'm sorry they provide him with free medical care as well as other benefits. I'm sorry that as a future dependent, they will also be providing you with housing, money, cheap medical care, comissary and PX privledges.

As a Marine Wife, I take it VERY personally when you say "Screw you Marine Corps". I'm curious what the Marine Corps has done to YOU personally? You're mad because your FI did something stupid, and thus they denied his leave? Get over it. Leave can be terminated at any time. Keep that in mind. You need to consider a serious attitude adjustment, or you'll be "That Wife" on base, The wife with no friends because of her sh*tty attitude towards her husbands job. A job that more that generously provides for YOU. If I were you, I probably would have already edited my post to take that snarky little immature comment out if it, before more Marine Wives, FI, GF's and SO see it and read you an even bigger riot act.

AmandaSC1988 · May 2011

I going to stick to topic, because I know everyone has gotten frustrated with the military at one time or another and said things they didn't mean.

ANYWAY

$450 is actually a pretty good deal. I often check flights to where my FI is stationed to see if I can find good prices. The distance is about half from Cali to NC and the cheapest I have found is around $250, and that is looking months in advance.

So $450 a week or so before the trip is not bad at all.

Some tips on looking for cheap flights:

--Take the early flights, 5:30 may seem really early..but there is NEVER a wait at security.

--If it is around the same price--always go with the non-stop (less stop) flights, incase you didn't know the fee's that they tack on are per take-off not per transactions.

--Southwest/AirTran. They are normally cheaper flights, and if you have to cancel they give to 100% of your credit back to use within the next year.

mob2689 · May 2011

OP, remember he will always be more "married" to the MC then he ever will be with you, when does that end? When he doesn't re-enlist. As PP's stated everything is/could be/will be last minute. In our day we would call it hurry up and wait.

More advice: Make sure you keep any rude comments to yourself when you are on and off base. Maybe learn more about what it is to be a military wife and what to expect. but you need to find out if being a military wife is the right choice for you, the rules are much different then civilian rules, more regimented would be a good word.

and PLEASE do not come on here again bashing any military branch, when you do you also bash our loved ones that are serving and have served. We work as one united unit when it comes to the Armed Forces.

Oh, and since the MC will be paying for your housing on or off base, you do know they have a right to enter w/o a search warrant? Just thought I would give you more food for thought.

I bet if you tell you FI what you posted here he would be floored and will tell you the same as we are, he may be harsher or lighter but you should get the same direction. Ultimatley, he would have to answer for your short commings to his commanding officer, not you.

Just some words of advise.

mob2689 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_cheap-flights-probably-not-possible?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:c72868d8-e42e-4070-b03d-16b29e43e157Post:9ef5b1e7-a51b-4018-ad53-08d272916d26">cheap flights?? probably not possible</a>:
[QUOTE]Oooook. So here's the deal. My fiance' got in some trouble a few weeks ago, so his leave got denied. So we didn't know he could come home until last Friday. Ridiculous. We're getting married on Saturday. Anyways, because of this ridiculous situation, we haven't bought our plane tickets to go back to North Carolina from California. But his leave is up on Monday, so he has to leave on Sunday. I've been planning on going with him, but tickets are $450! I think this happened because it's Memorial Day weekend. Oops. Didn't do that on purpose... I know this is a classic issue military peeps have to deal with, but does anyone know anything about where I can find some cheaper tickets? I've checked Delta's and United's web sites, studentuniverse.com, priceline.com, southwest.com, and a few others. :\ I think we might be screwed. P.S. Screw you, Marine Corps.
Posted by Woofy1989[/QUOTE]

katelyn26 · May 2011

try a travel agent...maybe they can give you advice and find the best deal

kyrgyzstan · May 2011

I don't understand what you mean by withholding information. Perhaps his chain hadn't decided if they were going to let him go at all? Maybe you should be saying, God Bless the Marine Corps for letting my troublemaking FI come home to get married despite his poor decision making capabilities. If I were in his chain, I wouldn't have let him go get married weeks after getting in serious trouble. So they're much nicer than they could be.

As for tickets, I would either try Priceline or search on all the major sites (expedia, hotwire, etc.) for last minute deals. Personally, while I understand wanting to be together after you marry, I'd just wait a couple weeks and grab tickets as soon as they're cheap. Also, I don't know where you are in Nor Cal, but definitely look at different combinations of departure/arrival. I live in SD, but LAX is always significantly cheaper for long treks, usually enough to make the drive worth it. SFO might be cheaper than Oakland, or vice versa, and check out all the airports anywhere near CL. You might find a combination that's cheap.

Victoria2013 · May 2011

Try cheaptickets.com good luck!

shan87 · May 2011

If you both knew he may not have gotten time off I would have started saving for last minute flights.

FYI FI knew his leave request was going to be last min and saved up for outrageous flights. He ended up finding direct for $500 but days after it went up to $900. Count your blessings!

Your price doesn't seem that outrageous to me, I've spent that flying from MN to CO, OK and TX having planned the trips months in advance.

Try looking for tickets Tues-Thurs, I read that is when airlines have their best deals/promotions. I would also look into Southwest, they are notorious for being cheaper, and not charging for up to 2 checked bags.
GL and GL to your FI and his career, I have a feeling he will need it.

katelyn26 · May 2011

google military discount flights and maybe you can find some...i found some that offer $15 off coupon codes Ik that's not much but it's a start...hope you find what you're looking for

SamiJoeB · May 2011

Shan's right, $450 is not outrageous. I paid that for a 3 week trip home, 2 weeks in advance and I left on a tuesday and I return on a tuesday. So really she's right on both accounts.

cheap flights?? probably not possible

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