25 replies to this topic

[copywriter]

Where do you buy your airline tickets? Who's got the best prices?

[qwerty]

Not that I ever use it, but I've got agents set up at Travelocity to tell me whenever rates go up or down for flights from Boston to London, Paris, Prague, and Seattle. If I'm going to one of those places (as if), I'll check on that, then compare it to Expedia, then see if I can get something better from Priceline or Hotwire (which I've never tried, but a friend of mine says it's great).

[Jill]

They all seem to be pretty similar in prices these days.

I usually end up going to each airline's Website directly, because places like Orbitz and Travelocity don't seem to always list all the flights.

[cline]

I just bought a ticket today. I was shocked that Expedia wasn't showing any decent flights from Boston to London. Route through Toronto? Chicago? DC?! Any direct flight was outrageous.

Went over to ba.com and found exactly what I was looking for.

I'd have to conclude that Expedia is showing what it earns the best commissions on.

[qwerty]

That's weird. My last flight (the first leg of it, anyway) was BA from Boston directly to London, and I got it through Expedia. That was a little more than half a year ago, though.

[Scottie]

I go through Travelocity to get an idea of the prices, then I head to the airlines site directly and sometimes find a better deal.

<lonely days are gone, I'm a goin home... I'm be humming that all night, Karon! >

[copywriter]

Well, I'm not british so ba.com won't help me much I've checked all the "major" discounters and the airline sites directly, but haven't found a price I like yet. Was hoping somebody had an ace up their sleeve.

I might try the Travelocity agent thing. Is there a fee for that?

<... my baby just wrote me a letter. Me, too!.>

[qwerty]

No, it's free, but you have to set up an account. I'm pretty sure they don't need a credit card or anything, though -- just your email addy.

[copywriter]

Cool! That will at least save me from having to search every so often to see how rates are looking.

[cline]

copywriter, I'm not British either.

Where are you trying to go to? Not to brag, but when my last passport expired there were only 2 blank pages.

[copywriter]

I'm going to Toronto. I just checked them (didn't realize they offered flights originating in the US) but they had no flights available for the dates I selected. I'll keep that in mind for later use.

Funny... I was searching all the "usual" sites and was finding fares in the $250 range. GREAT! When I went back a week or so later, I found fares in the $500 range. What??

Turns out there is a Toronto, CALIFORNIA as well as a Toronto, Ontario CANADA. I had picked the wrong airport code from the list It just showed up as "Toronto, CA" on the results so I thought I had it right

Rates have fallen from $541 to $346 in just a week so, hopefully, they'll drop a bit more and then I'll book the flight.

I tried Air Canada's site and they had great rates. BUT... when I chose the flight and clicked "continue" the rates increased on the next screen. I mean, they changed a LOT, too! Don't know what's wrong with that site.

When I called their reservations line, I was told yet a 3rd higher price. No thanks!

[mcanerin]

Hey! I'll be at the SES in Toronto, too!

I just got an email from Chris Sherman inviting me officially to speak on the "Challenges of Search Marketing in Canada panel, on Wednesday May 12 at 4:30pm"

I guess I should actually do some preparation or something

I usually try prepare Ahead of time (preparation A) or even put it on the pile on my Desk (preparation D) but unfortunately I'm prone to putting it off until I'm in the Hotel...

What are these panels like, anyway? Anyone know?

Ian

[Jill]

WTG, Ian!

What did Chris say about the panel? I'm guessing it's one of those with a bunch of speakers, and they only want you to actually speak for about 5 mins. max. Is that about what he said? Then they just basically take questions from the audience and the entire panel can answer as they see fit. Easy as pie.

Make sure that whatever time you're given that you STICK TO IT! Definitely prepare so that you don't go over or ramble. Too many people do that and it's annoying.

If you are on one that is simply a Q&A, then you don't need to prepare anything. They just might have you introduce yourself and your company, in which case, you may want to just jot down a couple of sentences so again you don't ramble. (Especially you, Ian )

It will be great to see you and Karon again!

[copywriter]

Oh Boy, Ian!! We finally get to meet!

Jill and I will be doing the copywriting presentation. It oughta be fun. We'll all have to do dinner one night, 'kay?

[mcanerin]

I'm looking forward to it!

What? Me - ramble on and on? Whatever do you mean??

Hmmm, does that mean I get a free ticket or something?

Ian