Englishmum

I've just remembered that Honeymommy got an amazing deal to return to the UK last Summer with a company called AutoEurope. In addition to flights they have good deals for car rental, hotels and packages etc. for the UK and mainland Europe. They had a stand at the New York Post Travel Show a few weeks ago and I had a brief chat with one of their reps about car rental - they're a sort of broker and if you want a rental car for example they check with all the rental companies to get the car in the category you want at the cheapest rate available.

Might be worth phoning them (which is how Honeymommy got her v.cheap flights with Virgin) as they have a toll-free number:

http://www.autoeurope.com/airfare.cfm

Homepage: http://www.autoeurope.com

I also heard about these companies who check with multiple sites for the cheapest fares in Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel magazine:

http://www.sidestep.com

http://www1.mobissimo.com/travel/search_airfare.php

http://www.qixo.com

Taffyles

I've had good luck using the British airways site too- usually cheaper than the so called cheap ticket sites at all times, I've found..and they come out with deals quite often. I also watch Virgin Atlantic- as they are often the same price as BA. Had a fabulous flight home with them in Jan- plane half full and $356 round trip.

ScousePete

I got an email from US Airways this morning. They have a special for travel to Glasgow and one of the departure cities is Louisville!!

$563 R/T Louisville to Glasgow

The only catch is that you have to travel in May. But I'm sure May in Glasgow is better than October in Glasgow

http://www.usairways.com/pro/specials/gla_sale.htm

candy wy.

have you tried opodo travel they have cheap flight around 378GBP for october from louisville to glasgow.

ScousePete

Glasgow on sale - from $321 R/T

http://dir.travelzoo.com/Air.asp?int...y=12&id=185158

looselips

Hi Jamie,

Right now the flights are selling at full economy fares and they generally only start discounting around 2 months out because that is when revenue management look at the load factor and decided if/how they should reduce the fares to fill the plane. Sept & Oct are considered shoulder season but you are more likely to get a decent discount nearer the time if you travel in October since Sept is usually fills no problem.

I used to work in travel (I could not sell to the public) and we had contracts for Europe - the contract rates are only about $150 or so lower than the quotes you are getting now. Within 2 months of departure we would book low fares which were better than the contracts.

Try running Bookingbuddy.com - it will search all the major discount websites for you. If it gives you a low fare eg on Continental Airlines check the airline website as they may have additional offers (bonus mileage) for booking direct.....also sign up for fare alerts with Orbitz or Travelocity etc.

If I were in your position I would figure out some midweek travel dates Mon/Tue/Wed in October (avoid travel around Columbus Day because your feeder flights from SDF will most likely jack up the price due to the busy domestic market) and book that time off with my employer. Then I would sign up for fare alerts on Orbitz/ Expedia etc and keep checking fares. It's a gamble but you also gamble by booking too far ahead since canx penalties are tough too.

Air only is tough for travel agents - they really only make any money from air/land packages so you may have to do the leg work yourself.

Shop around, be happy with your choice and enjoy your trip!

cindyabs

Consolidators or wholesalers often have good deals. The ones I use as a travel agent are tried and true and have been around for quite awhile.

looselips

Absolutely! However, I am not about to start recommending any since their fortunes fluctuate so much......if you can help her with a consolidator or wholesale fare I think that would be great!

scatty

Hi,

I am a UK travel agent living in Florida and my first posting in this section

My London office can sell flights from the UK to US/Canada etc., but we are not allowed to sell flights the opposite way, eg USA to UK

For cheap flights try to book 11 months prior to your journey. This way you will have more choice of Airlines and dates. The cheapest times should be between Dec26 to end March or 1st Nov to around 14th Dec each year. Also try to avoid UK school holidays

The cheapest airline (I am sure) is US Air but I think they maybe in chapter 11 at the moment

If anyone needs any help with a vacation villa in the Disney area in Florida or flights/car hire/attraction tickets just PM me and I will do special rates for forum members and their familes

Regards Sue

www.floridavillas.com www.floridavillas.co.uk

snowbunny

My ex-husband is from Louisville. To be honest, I'd fly out of O'Hare (ORD) -- you're going to get better fares. I'd drive there, too, because you are tempting fate making a connection with your luggage -- I got so seriously screwed with that. BA "vanished" my main bag for four days!

Yes, you'll pay long-term parking, but it's cheaper than you're going to be surtaxed with a connecting flight, and the odds of having anything go wrong because of a connecting flight being cancelled or delayed are eliminated. I live in Austin, Texas, which is slightly bigger than SDF, and I wouldn't consider flying out of here to the UK given pricing and experience.

If you really want to fly, I'd suggest an R/T to ATL ... I hate Hartsfield, but there are several direct flights from SDF to ATL and then from ATL across the pond. I've seen some pretty decent fare sales from ATL, more often than from ORD. I'd agree that you are looking early and that I have far better luck waiting -- as someone noticed BA can really drop the price when it gets to be three weeks prior to departure (then they rise at two weeks prior).

Ash UK/US

I am in the UK on a visit right now... for this visit and my last trip over I used www.bt-store.com they were about $200 cheaper than orbitz and expedia etc.

Ash

looselips

Thanks for that link Ash!