Does anybody know how to get really CHEAP tickets to Los Angeles?

Question

I'm so frustrated about ticket prices right now. I plan to visit a college in LA on April 10th -13th but ticket prices have gone up drastically. I was wondering if anybody knows of a website or a phone number I can call where I can get really cheap tickets. I don't want to spend more than 400 dollars, and I would like to buy my tickets soon! I've searched all the websites such as orbitz, hotwire, and kayak. Is there a little secret that I don't know about, and does anybody know much about flying standby? Thanks

Answer 1

Contrary to popular belief, ticket prices tend to increase (not stay the same or even decrease) as you get closer to the date of flight. This is because most cheaper tickets have advance purchase requirements as part of the restrictions. Once those advance purchase windows pass (usually 14-21 days before the flight), all that are usually available are less restricted tickets, which are usually more expensive.



That having been said, you might wish to look at a site such as lastminute.com or consider using a bidding site such as priceline.com or hotwire.com, as these are likely your best options. I don't know of any airlines in the US that offer last-minute standby travel for a low price -- that practice largely ended years ago here, if only because airlines are managing to fill their planes with ticketed passengers and don't need to do so anymore.

Answer 2

I have found that the travel websites all offer around the same price. They have to since if one website offered ticket prices much lower, everyone would flock to that site.



I have found that travel agents help a lot. I booked my trip from Ohio to Singapore with a travel agent and didn't pay nearly as much as I expected.



The thing is you want to fly next week. To get cheaper airfare, you should book at least 14 days in advance. You may want to look into alternative airports such as Orange County or Burbank instead of LAX. Maybe an airline is offering a special price. We deal with high airfare in Cincinnati all the time. Cincinnati is actually ranked highest in the country for average ticket price. What some of us do is drive to other airports such as Dayton, Columbus or Indianapolis to get cheaper prices. Since you did not mention the city you are flying out of, consider flying out of a different city.



Also try different airline websites. They prefer you book your ticket through them instead of a travel website since the airline has to pay the travel website a commission each time the website sells a ticket for them. The airlines will run deals that are not listed on sites such as Orbitz or Priceline.



It may sound like a lot of work, but don't surprised if your efforts pay off. Good luck and hope you find something.

Answer 3

If you think 400 is to much for air travel to LA



Then just wait until you see what tuition and living expenses are there for college



stay in state where ever you live and don't stick yourself with some enormous debt to just pay some exorbitant out of state tuition - a degree is a degree that is assuming that you even finish - why start your young life 100,000 more in debt then you need to be





Also look at all the airlines sites directly and look for discounts - also don't be so specific about dates for the cheapest fares - Believe me the college will let you visit anytime that you're there -

Answer 4

well your issue is that you waited to long to buy them as you get closer to the travel date prices will usually go up, plus the cost of oil has increased. Had you done your research 3 months ago you would have found cheaper tickets. Also, we can't really help since we don't know where you're flying from, if it's a smaller airport your ticket will be much more expensive anyway.

Answer 5

From where?



--- updated after details added by asker



Ok, so I checked all published and consolidator fares on this route, to all airports within 50 miles of LAX (LGB, ONT, BUR, SNA) and it doesn't look good--$561 with Northwest is best (Midwest is $532 but with connections which double your travel time each way, and return from different airport than LAX).



So next I tried http://us.lastminute.com for you which bundle a cheap car or hotel with the airfare to qualify last-minute fares for a cheaper fare class. Cheapest there about $570 with a car (even if you don't use the car or hotel, it's sometimes cheaper).



I also checked for last-minute weekend fares which Smarter Travel lists and updates each week: http://www.smartertravel.com/airfare/search/?type=departure ... no luck for you.



At this point, I think your best bet is http://www.priceline.com

Answer 6

Take Skybus airlines out of Columbus. Tickets are $105 -$150 for that weekend to Los Angeles. Or go Greyhound for about $100 each way.

Answer 7

you knw orbitz, hotwire and kayak arent the only sites! try http://mubhij6.hostsnake.com u can get many sites there some are reasonable n sum r a little 2 expensive

Answer 8

Edreams. Try it.

Hope I and it helped!

Answer 9

duh! thats impossible!!!!!!!!