Hi all, thought I would check in just to see what everyone is finding for airfares these days. September looks pretty high right now with prices dropping on flights closer to christmas. Note: SW isn't an option.I'll be flying out of Minneapolis airport which is 80 controlled by NW airlines.

I can get a package from MLT vacations for about $750 air/hotel/tranportation for the week of Thanksgiving at TI. $850 for the first few weeks in sept and slightly less two weeks before christmas.

I haven't seen a sale out of Wichita KS all year long. Even though we have a charter flying direct flights now. Airfares from Wichita, KS have been the standard $294 on the major airlines all year long.

Airfares out of DFW to LAS have been steadily going up ever since Sun Country and National pulled out. You can obtain fairly decent rates on ATA (CHARTER), however; they only fly to LAS on Sun and Thurs. sooooo, after sampling quite a few airlines, I finally found one (America West) that was less than $400 rt so I booked it - have been averaging $200-250 rt per person - this time, I am paying aprx $100 more rt for 2 people. I used to take the package deals, but have found it much nicer to book my favorite direct (Orleans) and name my own time of departure and return even tho it takes a few more bucks. As long as the airlines are cutting back (number of flights and people), I think we may be stuck with higher fares - we do have an election coming up next year and the economy is going to be a HUGE subject on the agenda and it should be. Good luck in your search for decent airline fares. Wendell

Wendell, the economy should be a huger than HUGE topic in 2004.

Thanks-- Your prices sound similar to what I'm seeing. Airfare for the MLT air is based on an 'air only' or 'air and hotel'package. The air and hotel option brings the airfare to about $500 RT for two.

PS: Wendel, the week of thanksgiving (M-Th)is still my first choice right now. Is the meet still on for that week?

I know, I need to make a dam decison soon but I too am wondering about the economy and I'm betting that winter travel and vacations may be down again this year. I'm thinking that the hotels will be giving big discounts during the holidays to lure travelors. Which is good for us.

Chris: You bet, the meet is still on for Thanksgiving week - usually the day before Thannksgiving - the place will be determined by the number of attendees - hope to see you there. Sure hope you are right about holiday discounts. (See ya in November) Wendell

Wendell,
ATA has air only charter and should save you that $100. I uasually fly charter air only from Detroit for around $200 or less RT.

Larry: I have flown ATA several times out of DFW -at low fares BUT, they only fly out of DFW on Sundays and Thursday, if your Vegas time frame does not coincide with their days then you are in the same boat as we are - you are going to be at the meet, are you not?? Wendell

Wendell,
I'll try

Larry, I promise to take your picture.

I will be leaving 4 weeks from today. I found airfare to be "normal". I've seen some good deals in recent weeks, but none for when I needed it.

Excellent subject to post!!
We just last week returned from a quick trip to "Las Vegas".........
As a rule we try to fly "Alaska" air; which we did this time also. We have comped rooms at the "Fremont" whenever we want them so our main cost is airfare! The local Sunday newspaper's Travel section had a special with this travel agent for "Fitzgeralds". Airfare, three days, etc for $152 + security per person! Straight airfare thru "Alaska's" website was about $200 + security? I took the package as it was also on "Alaska" air and the same times that we always try to fly! AM at PDX, PM at Las, we even received frequent flyer miles with the package! Good seats and a enjoyable trip. So, we ended up with rooms at two Casino?Hotels..The only drawback was that I ended up tipping two maids!