Plane tickets: Book now, pay later? Multi-city?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I’m trying to book a flight for late December, but I’m having a slight difficulty.

Normally when one books tickets online, one has to pay for them up front. But last year, my friend and I got some sort of deal where we had up to something like January 3rd to pay for the tickets. I think it was through Delta. I’d love something like that now, as I’m looking at a $517 ticket. That’s way beyond my means right now. I looked on the Delta site, and didn’t see that as an option. Any ideas how I can get that deal again?

Also, I normally loathe layovers, but it looks like those days are over. In fact, this time, I look forward to a layover, or possibly two of them. I’d actually like to spend some time in the layover city. Like, 24 hours if possible. I can book a multi-city flight, but the price goes way up if I do that. If the airline does it as an inconvenience to me, it’s free. I’d just like to stretch that inconvenience out for fun.

Any ideas? I’d be going from Boston to Jacksonville (FL), with a layover in DC.

2

My suggestion–which is probably worth what you are paying for it–either call the airlines directly or visit a travel agent.

I know absolutely nothing about book now, pay later.

But travel agents still exist and still can be helpful. And talking to a human at an airline greatly increases the chance that they can in fact set you up for complicated ticketing situations.

3

Last year was last year. It means nothing this year.

Follow Eureka’s suggestion, and do it soon.

4

Yeah, I may have to. I have no problems finding flights, but man they are expensive, because I have to book multi cities. I’ll call a travel agent tonight.

5

AirTran offers some sort of BillMeLater thing. I don’t know the details or if it’s a good deal, but it’s a payment option on their web site.

6

That’s cool, but it looks like they don’t fly to Dulles or National. How far is Baltimore from there? And I can’t book a 3-way flight.

7

By the way, check out farecast.com, and it will give you a better idea of when to buy your tickets too.

8

There’s a link above the Origination City dropdown called “Multi-city” that will let you book a 3 way.

They do fly to Dulles - look under “Washington DC - Dulles”. But maybe they don’t fly there from where you’re starting?

For what it’s worth, last time I went to DC I flew into Baltimore, and it didn’t seem overlong to get into the city.

9

Mapquest thinks it is 30 miles or 50 minutes to get from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to “Washington DC”.

I’ll let you figure out how long it takes to get to anyplace within Washington DC you want to actually go.

10

Hmm. I’ll ask my friend if she is willing to make that drive. For all I know, she’s closer to Baltimore anyway.

11

It does, but unless I did something wrong, it still only let me book 2 flights. I’d never get back home.

12

BWI is right near a rail line going to Union Station in DC. It takes about a hour.

13

Thank you for that!

I had to pay now, and it was $542, but at least 2 of my 3 flights are direct. My friend will pick me up in Baltimore, and drop me off at National. This gives her 26 hours to figure out someway to entertain me.

That site had some really interesting alternative airports. No way I’m making my friend pick me up in Charlotte, no way I’m making my parents pick me up in Brunswick or Gainsville.