Airfare Shenanigans

We've been (somewhat) patiently waiting for the airlines to be booking for late March, 2019, so we can book our flights for the Panama Canal cruise. 

For reasons that (now) escape me, we were thinking we would drive to Los Angeles, fly from LA to Miami and then we'd drive home from LA, since our ship embarks out of Miami and disembarks in Los Angeles.  I have no idea how we decided that - I'm sure I had something to do with it - but as the time approached to book flights, we did a big switch.  Flying out of SFO to Miami and then we'll fly back from LAX to SFO.

Airfares vary widely as I'm sure you know - and we shop multiple airlines with varying schedules.  We were ready to go 'Main Cabin' on American for around $220 each (one way)...but this morning, that same flight on our Friday departure was $1,100 EACH.  Holy crap.  We could fly on American on a Thursday for that lower fare, but then we're looking at an extra night's hotel stay ($300 ish), a day of food and 'entertainment' (cab fares to where we want to explore, pretty much) ($150ish at least) and me having to use Thursday as a travel day instead of a planning/packing day.  (Or use another vacation day for Wednesday off but....I hoard vacation so, no.) 

That had us back with Delta where main cabin was $430 each; Comfort Class (more leg room) was $530 each and First Class was $630 each.   Main Cabin & Comfort Class both charge for bags while First Class doesn't.  So just like that!  We're booked in First Class on Delta.  Delta has no non-stops to Miami - all go through Atlanta - but that's OK.  We have an affinity for Atlanta from the time we spent there for B.'s Basic Training graduation years ago - and it's an easy airport to get around in.  We'll board early, skip the general boarding lines and go to the First Class check in area instead and while it is more expensive, it's an increase that feels worth it on many levels.  And it's Friday travel at a decent price which saves us an extra night, etc. . 

We looked at United just to be sure we did - higher fares and....it's United.  We don't fly United if we can avoid it.

We haven't booked our return from LAX to SFO - have to wait two more weeks for those dates to open - but that's an easy trip to book and a very quick flight.  We'll go the cheapest route we can.

I was up at 4AM this morning and downstairs by 4:30 (worked in my room a bit before heading downstairs) and here I am rushing to be out the door for work.  It's been a super busy week of meetings, Board meeting prep and then a trip to Sacramento tomorrow (overnight) for a training Thursday evening and all day Friday.  Then more work this weekend. 

I have decided to take Mother's Day off - made possible by the monthly Finance system 'down' day and J. has agreed that fun $ will be my gift so I'll head up to quiet, calm Jackson for some fun that day.  And then likely work into the evening via laptop, hopefully.

Off to a busy, fun-filled day with my work family.