[tmlewis]

We live in western SD and to travel out of here to Guat. City.....we have to make 2 stops and the time frame is no less than 20 hours.

So......what did anyone else fly using? It will cost us about $2400 right now to fly 2 adults.

Thanks for input........Melodie

[wvamom]

When I visit this week I am using frequent flyer miles (thank goodness for frequent flyer mile credit cards). But for our visit trip, 8 of us are going, so we are driving to Pittsburgh, about 4 hours away, to get a cheaper flight. Is driving to another airport a possibility for you?

Carolyn

[CEB]

Are you asking about visit trip or pick up trip??

We have taken lots of long flights as a couple and have never thought it worth the money to fly business or first class for just us. It really depends on what is important to you - we are easygoing travelers and do not mind being a little crowded in.

Thus, we are flying economy for our visit trip -there are other things I want to spend money on re: DS (although our flight is admittedly much shorter to GC). We are, however, seriously considering business class for pick up trip. With DS, it might be nice to have extra room. Interested to see what others say on the topic!

[Guatemomtobe]

Where are you flying out of? My sister lives in Western Nebraska and they usually fly out of DEN because it is much less expensive. If this is a possibility, you should be able to get your tickets for under $600 each. There are connections but it looks like about 10 hours total going down and 8-10 hours coming back. You can PM me and I can give you some websites that are really good for looking for airfare. I also work in the airfreight business so I know a lot about airline routes and where to get the best deals.

If you are closer to Minneapolis, you could fly out of there for about the same price.

Good luck!
Susan

[cbmstephanie]

Hi Melodie:
I am in Sioux Falls and we have flown out of both Sioux Falls and Minneapolis. I got great flights out of Minneapolis last time for about $700.00 and a bit less than perfect flights out of SF for Thanksgiving weekend for about $700.00

[ej-momtobe]

I do not think it is worth the extra money to fly business class. We did fly business class home on our pick-up because we got free upgrades (I fly a lot), but definately would not have paid the extra money to do that. It is a little nicer, but not enough nicer to make it worth spending $1000 more, in my opinion. Try getting an economy class ticket, and check in early for your flight, so you might be able to get a bulkhead seat instead.

[MNStarr]

Flight prices must have gone up. Last winter we flew out of Minneapolis and our tickets were around $600 each, then a month later for pickup (short notice) they were $475. I am an awful traveler. So for me I personally would pay extra for business class to fly, but probably not in this situation. See if you can get exit row seats, they are so much more roomy.

[saranbr]

Yikes...

Is there any way you could fly into Ohare? Taca flies direct to Guat City from there. Taca code shares with Continental so that may be an option. How about driving to another airport? I don't know how close you are to anywhere else, but that is really expensive ($1200/ticket) for a TERRIBLE trip duration. If you fly into Seattle Continental has good connection times through Houston for much more reasonable costs.

[tmlewis]

Thanks everyone. We will probably use a travel agency that has been suggested here. We will try to use our special companion fly free for domestic flights.........Melodie

[mommytoEli]

it depends on how big you are and if you are getting a lap ticket for your baby. dh picked up our 10 month old and intended to hold him for the flight....dh is over 6 feet tall, and so there was no way this could be accomplished in economy. they flew first class and dh said it was worth the extra money to have the extra room, they also waited on him and the baby hand and foot. it came in particularly handy when they sat on the houston tarmac for 2 hours due to a delay.