Travel from Chicago to Sacramento

[premieresba]

I would like to travel to Sacramento, CA from Chicago on 11/8 and return 11/12. The prices on the various airline sites are in the range of $335. Althought I have seen $250 on Southwest. I have bid on hotels but not for airlies. Any bidding advice would be greatly appreciated. You have been instrumental in my hotel bidding in the past.

Thanks in advance.

[thereuare]

First question is to make sure you're comfortable with the terms of bidding for an airline ticket. Since this is only a 4 nite stay, can you accept a very late depature on the 8th and an early return on the 12th... essentially shortening your 4 day trip by 2 days?

Is the $250 fare available on Southwest for these dates? How much would you need to save to give up choosing your flight times?

[premieresba]

Good point, I was looking in the range of $200. I was also interested in traveling later on Wednesday, so that will not be a problem, but I would like to possibly leave later in the day on Sunday. Since this is my first time with bidding on airfare, I am not as educated on this type of bidding. Also the airlines where Southwest is located is quite a drive from my home.

[thereuare]

...I would like to possibly leave later in the day on Sunday

You can't control your depature time when bidding on a airline tix. (as well you could get an early depature on the start of your trip... so you'll need your current schedule to be flexible to leave anytime in the am too). Besides the savings not being that great for the last few years, you see that you need to be very flexible, and often the trade-offs aren't worth the savings (if any).

Not sure if the above is a dealbreaker for you or not.

[GM Mike]

Three observations:

(1) $281.70 from Frontier out of Midway, several flights available

(2) $217.10 on Southwest out of Midway, 8am return is your only choice at that rate

(3) If you could travel on Saturday instead of Sunday, could be big savings. Tuesday instead of Wednesday might also help.

Good luck.