Hello all. Last week I asked advice on getting the best airfare. A couple people responded and I appreciate the advice. I want to share what I discovered. A long post about nothing important! :-)
I was planning my trip to occur sometime during July 4th to take advantage of the free day off work I have. (that way I can stay one day longer). My final destination was to be Odessa. I was open to flying into Odessa, or Kiev (taking the train to Odessa).
I delt with a couple travel agents. One could get me from my hometown of Minneapolis to Kiev July 4 until July 14 for a cost of $1200. One agent could get me into Odessa the same time frame for $1500+. One agent could not get any fare into Odessa, and they did not check Kiev. I called up LOT reservations and worked with them. They priced me several fares. 7/4-7/13 Minneapolis to Kiev and back was $1197. 7/4-7/13 Minneapolis to Odessa and back was $1472. 7/5-7/13 Minneapolis to Odessa and back was $1337. I called back the next day to purchase the $1337 and it was sold out. 7/5-7/15 Minneapolis to Odessa and back was $1406 (Odessa on 7/5 was sold out so I had to take the 7/6 flight, plus this does not take advantage of the day off I have on 7/4).
What I opted to purchase was this fare. Leave 7/4, arrive in Warsaw the morning of 7/5. Stay one night in Warsaw (sightseeing and a nice hotel nearby is only $40 a night). Leave for Odessa 7/6. Leave for Minneapolis 7/15. The cost of this fare was $1376 I think this will work out. I requested the day layover in Warsaw. There were some sights I would not mind seeing, and I would rather spend my day off in Warsaw than Minneapolis.
A 10 day trip Minneapolis to Odessa and back after July 18th was on average $300 less expensive. June 15-July 18th is LOT most expensive fares(I am sure other airlines also). Try to wait until after July 18th if you want to save $200-$300.
One special thing I have going for me. I had to sit on a LOT airplane for 6 hours back in January, (big horror story, I missed two days work due to missed connecting flights.) and since I wrote a nasty letter to them, they sent me a letter giving me 20% off the next ticket I purchase through thier reservations. End result. I purcahsed a fare today Minneapolis to Odessa and back 7/4 - 7/15 with a one day layover in Warsaw on the way to Odessa for $1101 and having to live through the horror of being on board an airplane for 6 hours 6 months ago.
This will be my 4th trip and I think I am getting the hang of this international travel routine :-)
