Who knows how to find CHEAP airline tickets?

[Madrone]

My stepfather had a horrible heart attack last night and pulling thru looks like the possible exception rather than the rule. My mom is fried, and not handling it well. Apparantly a nurse told her to have someone there overnight as she may be getting "the phone call"...

$600 for a "compassion" fare to Kalamazoo from Seattle from AA -

My dad found a flight into Detroit on 1/5 for under $300 - but I'm not sure if I should wait that long, for one, and I also don't know what date I want to lock in as the return date. PLUS - I have to find someone to pick me up in Detroit and cart me to Kalamazoo, and then the reverse when it's time to go back.

I need help - I'M fried now as well - anyone know of any good rates leaving in the next couple of days to Kalamazoo from Seattle?

[Timefortruth]

1. Did you try Priceline?

It is worth a shot.

[Deja Q]

2. expedia.com has good values... avoid travelocity

according to a coworker of mine who has used both outlets...

[SoCalDem]

3. JetBlue was the cheapest when we went to SaltLakeCity

I don't know about the bereavement fares they offer..

The holiday traffic will be your worst problem..:(. When flight s are full, they don't offer much..

I have heard also that sometimies a standby ticket can be extra cheap, but if the filghts are full, that won't help you:(

Sorry about the reason you have to go :(

[SheilaT]

4. You'll need to search several sites.

I almost always find expedia is the cheapest, but also check airline's own websites directly. There's also something called sidestep which is a download (www.sidestep.com) which purports to check many websites simultaneously for you.

Two months ago Northwest gave us a compassionate fare from Kansas City to Detroit. It was the same as the cheapest fare I could find on the internet but they made it with no restrictions. I was then able to change the return to a better flight time, and that was nice.

Good luck.

[curse10]

8. sidestep is awesome

I found an orbitz price that I couldn't find by searching their site. Good stuff.

[HEyHEY]

5. Well, it may involve some driving

But both those places a relativley close to the Canadian Border...try Westjet. It's a Canadian airline that is super cheap and fun to fly, yes I said fun to fly. The attendants make jokes over the PA, and they have trivia games during flight as well as toilet paper roll races...it's a good airline.

[Cannikin]

6. May I suggest....

I hear that you might actually pay more going to one of those sites. The main reason is because most airlines have their own web site where you can get them directly. Its worth a try to save you a few bucks.

[hyphenate]

7. A couple of things you can try

If you or anyone you know has frequent flyer miles, you can buy enough to add on to get the lowest airfare possible. People can "donate" miles to you--check with the program to see exactly what you need to do.

You also have a small problem with the fact that your departure city isn't a major route--if you can get to Detroit or other larger city airport, your chances of getting a less expensive flight is much much better.

Also, check with some of the bogger corporations or even charities in your area. Sometimes one of them might have "pull" and get you on a cheaper flight. There are also several charities which help in flying people places, but unfortunately, I'm not really acquainted with their names, only with the fact that they exist.

Another option you can try is to contact one of the local travel agents and talk with them. They have the advantage to finding inexpensive flights, BUT they also might have a tour group that they can fill an extra seat with, and will be willing to have you take it.

Last but not least, if you can be prepared to leave at any time, you might consider a marathon session at the airport--go there really early and tell the airlines you are willing to travel by standby and tell them the circumstances. Oftentimes, there is a seat open on an early flight, but you might have to wait until a seat is open, but you will have to hang around to get one.

Regardless, good luck, and hope you get there in time--I saw my dad just a month before he died, and I had to fly from Mass. to California to see him. I knew the end was coming soon, so I got the chance to say goodbye.

[curse10]

9. $550 roundtrip/ $458 roundtrip

if you leave 1/4 and return 1/11 or 1/12-- on American.

I used sidestep and plugged in some dates.

on edit: if you leave the 4th and seem to return on a Sunday or Monday at any time (just checked 1/18 return date) it appears to always be $550.

Oooh. If you leave on 1/5 and come back on the 18th you can use multiple carriers and get 458 bucks.