need a cheap cog/cali/MDE to NYC flight!!!

Jlove says on Apr 30, 2008, 11:49:

The only suggestion that I can give to you is to do the bill-me-later through continental.com and take the 3 months to pay for the ticket.(Interest free)

bufalo says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:09:

Oh, never saw that.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 30, 2008, 14:52:

If you plan on doing it on credit, I would suggest signing up for the Chase Continental Airlines credit card. They give you 20,000 OnePass miles for signing up and give you double miles when you buy your ticket on their website with the card. Since a free ticket to Colombia is only 35,000 miles, you would already be more than halfway towards your next ticket being free. I got the card even though I never use credit cards. That miles bonus is great.

bufalo says on Apr 30, 2008, 22:40:

Sounds good, but we just need this flight.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

sloopskipper says on May 1, 2008, 04:19:

Good point, ColombianoGringo. Flying free is sweet!

Their first flight would also give them another, maybe, 6-8000 more miles (doubled if purchased directly with Continental, I think).

They could almost get two round-trips for the cost of one.

20,000 miles would give me another free round-trip from Panamá to Colombia. My last flight to Cartagena cost less than $70, but that included taxes and exit fees at both airports.

I use an airline credit card wherever I can (my cable-TV bills my NWA Visa), even if buying tickets on another airline, and make sure I have a frequent flier account with the airlines I fly with.

Of course the secret to using plastic for everything is to pay the whole balance at the end of the month.

I just completed reviewing terms and conditions of that Chase card and I see that they are also charging a 3% International transaction fee, even if is a $ transaction. My NWA Visa just began doing that on everything I charge here in Panamá. I have switched to my American Express Blue, and applied for a Capitol One "No Hassle".

ColombianoGringo says on May 1, 2008, 11:27:

I just use my Chase Continental Airlines debit card for everything. They give me the same $1 to 1 mile ratio because I pay an extra $60 for the better card. It is well worth it since I am usually able to get at least one free trip to Colombia per year.

My system for staying out of debt is simply to not put anything on credit outside of cars and homes. My policy is that if I can't pay for it in cash, I can't afford it. I still have all the typical BS like fancy TVs, furniture, etc but I don't owe a dime on credit cards, except for my truck. I did a balance transfer from Toyota Financial to a very low interest credit card. That way, I got the dealer rebate and a low interest rate.

sloopskipper says on May 1, 2008, 12:26:

That's cool, but paying the total at the end of the month works for me too, and I get a lot of miles, and no debt, except at the end of month (sometimes more than $3,000). I even paid the IRS $1700 with it.

But with the NWA/Visa, and Continental charging 3 % for ALL foreign transactions, I must make a change. There was some discussion whether I would qualify for the "No Hassle card", since my U.S. address is effectively a PO Box.

bufalo says on May 1, 2008, 12:35:

GREAT info, buuuuuut the original post? Any ideas where to get cheap flights?????

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

sloopskipper says on May 1, 2008, 13:03:

I use usually use Expedia or the the airline itself, which these days seems to usually be cheaper. But there is also Travelocity, and Orbitz. I had found one when trying to get a San Juan-Bogotá for a friend, and they seemed to have very good offers, but I later found they had many complaints. But, sorry can't remember the name, as possibly one to avoid.

I don't really know anything about cheaptickets, bookingbuddy, or PriceLine.

For me, Spirit is an airline to avoid, based on the complaints I have read.

You did not mention if your wife is traveling one way or round trip. If she is only going one way, don't assume that is cheaper, as that is often untrue.

When I moved to Puerto Rico, and also here to Panamá I booked round trip and discarded the return ticket because was cheaper ($70 less, flying from San Juan to Panama City). Also sometimes moving dates a day or two forward or backwards can reveal cheaper fares. I think they only allot a certain number of seats at the cheapest fares.

I should recommend Copa/Aero República, but that might not be the best value for you.

nueva york bombero says on May 1, 2008, 14:47:

www.sidestep.com is also another option.....

bufalo says on May 1, 2008, 22:52:

I tried some of them out the other day, but nothing earth shattering. I'll keep checking everyday. I know what sloop said about round trippers, we always bout round trips because they were always cheaper. Avianca now sells one wayers, so when we move this time, we'll do that. My wife needs round trip for now.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

sloopskipper says on May 2, 2008, 06:43:

bufalo, it's better to check both options when you don't need a return, because the round-trip is not always cheaper.

bufalo says on May 2, 2008, 15:09:

no not always, but in our cases it was at the time... but ya gotta keep checkin!!!!!

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor