Today (1/15/10) Alitalia is quoting nearly $1,000 for R/T Boston to Rome departing end of April returning mid-May. What is the general consensus about airfare for spring 2010? Should I wait? Will there be packages available? Buy? Thanks.
Posts: 72 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
Karen~ I am glad you started this thread. I am also watching fares for May. I haven't found anything that I thought was 'good', so I continue to watch and wait. I am flying from Atlanta and would like to go into Florence, but could do Rome too. Luckily Montisi is in the middle! We'll keep looking...
I checked all suggested websites. Everything comes up with the same answer, minimum high $800s. I've also signed up for every travel alert I have run across.
Has anyone read the tea leaves? What's the prediction for not only air fare but package deals for the spring? Thanks.
Posts: 72 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
Our trip to Italy this May is on AA miles but I booked our trips in 2007 and 2008 on flycheapabroad.com; got a pretty good fare and no problems or issues. I have heard that some airlines are adding back or increasing their fuel surcharge, to the tune of 130.00 - 140.00 EACH WAY......
Originally posted by WillTravel: Another option, on Swiss, is: BOS-FCO-ZRH April 27-May 12 is $793 total.
When you say a "package", what do you have in mind?
Package=combo flight/hotels. I've never done this before, but if it significantly lowers the overall price, I'm willing to try. Italiatour usually comes up with something for shoulder seasons.
In 2004, I went to Italy alone for 18 days and soup to nuts I think it cost $5000-$6000. In 2010, I hope to go for about 14 days, but it looks like with the dead dollar and the increase in prices, the total price will still be significant. To me, if I have to pay $1000 for airfare, it's not worth only going for a week.
Posts: 72 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
For my husband's and my trip to Italy in May last year, I purchased really cheap tickets in Oct. 08 from LA to Milan on Air One. But in Dec. 08 when Air One merged with Alitalia, our itinerary got changed in such a way that it would have been impossible. And so we were allowed to cancel those tickets since Air One basically no longer existed.
All our plans and reservations had already been made, so when Air One refunded our money in January 09 and we hurried to rebook our flights. The cheapest fare we could find at that time was $1065 LAX - MXP. However, 1 month later the fares dropped by over $400 RT each! I was able to convince American Airlines to refund some of the fare difference but only after paying the $150 change fee each.
If I had waited just one month longer, we would have saved $300 more. I am not saying the situation is the same this year, but you may want to wait a couple of more weeks and then check again to see if the fares have gone down for May.
I've basically been playing this waiting game since October 09 for our trip to France in July this year. My flights have already been booked via miles on AA but we have to buy a ticket for my husband. Unfortunately, since we started planning this trip the fares from Orange County or LAX to Paris have gone up by over $200! To book him on the same flights that I am already on, the fare is now $1556 for July.
I know this year is very different, since oil prices are back up and all the airlines have cut capacity in order to jack up ticket prices. However, I am still hoping fares will come down some around March or April. If not, by then I'll just have to grab what fare I can for Greg's ticket!
Tery
Posts: 254 | Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA | Registered: 18 May 2003
I nearly made the same mistake and panicked and bought in January last year for May 15 to June 22. By late February mid-March the price had dropped by $400. Hang on. Usually around February or March the airlines do a reality check and start to bring the prices down.
Another option for you would be take the train to NY and Ryan (if they have started US Service) or Air Lingus (SP?) to Dublin. You can get flights Dublin to Rome or Florence in the $50 range round trip on Ryan.
Originally posted by Rome Addict: I nearly made the same mistake and panicked and bought in January last year for May 15 to June 22. By late February mid-March the price had dropped by $400. Hang on. Usually around February or March the airlines do a reality check and start to bring the prices down.
Another option for you would be take the train to NY and Ryan (if they have started US Service) or Air Lingus (SP?) to Dublin. You can get flights Dublin to Rome or Florence in the $50 range round trip on Ryan.
ANOTHER reason to retire in Europe!!
Unless the fares come down, the only option for me is to not go.
I can drive to NY and leave car at my brother's place, but it's 4 hours to NY, then 1 hour to JFK, then do the whole thing in reverse, so it's not my first choice.
So, next question: Book the lodgings now and hope for a cheaper flight or just let the whole thing hang for a month?
Posts: 72 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
Originally posted by Karen P.: So, next question: Book the lodgings now and hope for a cheaper flight or just let the whole thing hang for a month?
If it were me, I'd book the lodgings now and wait on the airfare til next month, especially if you don't have to pay a deposit up front for where you are planning to stay in Italy.
Play around with different itineraries too for your trip. For example, check fares departing from NYC but returning to Boston. It is sometimes cheaper that way. I just tried this on Kayak for my husband's fare in July, having him depart from John Wayne/Orange County but returning to LAX. Since he has to return a day earlier than I do, it doesn't matter much if he flies into LAX rather than OC - one of our boys will come and pick him up at LAX. The AA fare for this itinerary is $1404 vs. $1576 if he flies roundtrip from John Wayne OC to Paris (yes, the fare went up another $20 as of today!). So, that's a savings of $170+. Not a whole lot cheaper but every little bit helps at this point!
Tery
Posts: 254 | Location: Mission Viejo, CA, USA | Registered: 18 May 2003
I was looking at Go Today and they are in the $1000 range from Boston including lodging for Rome. You can unbundle lodging if you don't want to stay in Rome. I would DEFINITELY not buy my ticket now. You can book your hotel as late as first part of April. I'd hang tough until mid March or until I saw an air fare I could live with.
Thank you to everyone who has responded. I will probably book lodging now, but wait on the airfare. I have signed up for travel alerts from Yapta and Bing and any other website that offers alerts that has been mentioned in this thread, but they all report the same results from the same sources.
I think I have been spoiled by my past experiences - airfare has always been reasonable and this will be my 7th trip to Italy. I much prefer late April-May over any other time period. I can't imagine that the dollar will improve that much in the short term.
Posts: 72 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
I am holding out for a better fare too. I can't imagine that it won't go down before May.
I always find it fascinating that fares can vary so much from city to city~ but also day to day. Last year I booked a round trip ticket for around $600, the very next day friends booked on the same flight for $400 MORE. Go figure.
Yes. Quite a bargain, if you were planning to do something similar anyway. Flights are Alitalia, stay is in Monticatini. With taxes it goes up a few hundred.From L.A. another few hundred /person. RR
Yes. Quite a bargain, if you were planning to do something similar anyway. Flights are Alitalia, stay is in Monticatini. With taxes it goes up a few hundred.From L.A. another few hundred /person. RR
I just looked at the Gate1 Travel website, and it has a lot of choices to Italy, not only Montecatini. Prices look reasonable.
Does anyone have any experience with them?
Posts: 72 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
The deal that was directly linked was the Monticatini week. They do offer travel independently, and tour groups as well. Prices seemed Ok for A Florence trip when I got a quote. RR
Last year I bought early for May, paid about $1000, and then prices dropped hard and I exchanged and got money back even with the penalty. So my first thought has been to wait until March or Aprilto buy. However, I'm looking at flights into and out of Rome and Florence and seeing full planes on the seating charts and "sold out" on the economy fares. Any evidence that these signs are not reliable?
Posts: 487 | Location: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: 11 November 2003
Airfare calculus is complex. If I see an exact itinerary I like, at a reasonable fare, for a given period I take it. The hard part defining reasonable.
This trip I bought way in advance? Why, very high season August/Sept, perfect itinerary times, and fares 300-400 lower than competitors.So my just over 1000 fare LAX-Geneva-Venice-Lax although expensive now looks "cheap". Checking today for the exact itinerary its over 1400. I was also able at least theoretically to get exit row seats, I looked at the seating chart and I could choose anything, he said which row and I had the seat guru chart out. I'll believe it after we are in our seats, but I'm hopefull.
I am looking at fares from Washington DC to Rome in mid to late April.....the interesting thing that I am finding is that the only non-stop (on United) is coming in at $940.00 which is about normal. But the connecting flights with one change are only $90.00 less...the usual spread is in the $200-$300 range. If I don't find an under $750.00 fare, I may go for the non-stop.
We have frequent flyer tickets for our travel to Italy this late April/early May but I've been pricing fares for my sister who is coming along - best from DC was 909.00 via London on BA. But she wants to be on the same flights as we are so ended up with American for slightly over 1000.00 I hate their damn fuel surcharges - without it the ticket would have been 724.00!
Jim. My daughter and I are flying the United nonstop from Dulles to FCO in mid-May. We bought our tickets last July - mine was $753 and my daughter paid only $650. Glad to know the price has gone up since then, not down.
I checked www.bookingbudy.com today (4:30pm EST). They are quoting Alitalia via Orbitz as having a fare from Boston to Rome R/T for $648 plus $360 in taxes and fees.
Is the $360 in taxes and fees legitimate?
Thanks.
Posts: 72 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
One way or another what you are looking for is total price whether it is fare or fees (usually in this case, fare would be be 900 and taxes the rest) We booked Salt Lake to Paris and the fare from May 1 to 22 is $1060.00 and I felt it was a good price.
If you have the ability, tweek the days of week to get a better rate. AND at one point just buy the ticket.
I pulled the trigger on the United non-stop from Dulles to Rome....April 27 to May 27. More than I am used to paying but I never have flown non-stop to Italy from Washington before. $940.00 US.
Two things (which might have been raised already):
1) When looking at air and hotel packages, bear in mind that the lowest advertised price is per person, based on double occupancy of a hotel room. When going solo, there will always (or almost always) be a singles supplement--the price of a room for one is more than half of the price of a room for two.
2) When looking at air fares, the breakdown between the base fare and the taxes and fees can vary depending upon airline, stopover city, and god-knows-what-else. It's the bottom line that counts: just look at the total when comparing, since that's what you'll be paying. The exception would be for "optional" fees that aren't folded into the ticket price, such as those for checking more than minimal baggage or reserving a "premium" seat.
Posts: 821 | Location: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 28 June 2006
Jim. My daughter and I are taking that exact same IAD to FCO nonstop United flight May 12-20. I love flying nonstop to Rome. I only wish we were staying a month, too!
Well, If Jim Zurer can pay more than $900... I guess I may have to to. (if they will get down to $900) Prices from Atlanta are hovering around $1300. I'm still playing the waiting game.
I travel back and forth to Italy a lot these days and spend a lot of time searching for the best fares. There is no rhyme or reason. It seems to be all about luck and being on the right website at the right time.
I did just book a great fare to Rome through a British Airways sale for March. After I booked, I was given the privilege of choosing my seat NOW for $30 more! If I don't choose to do that, I have to wait until 24 hours before my flight when it's free. So much for a window or aisle seat.
I have used Orbitz many times and booked through them successfully. A couple of things to watch: be sure if you're in a FF miles program that they include your number when they book your ticket. It shows on the itinerary. They forgot to do it on a flight of mine last Fall, and I've had a hassle getting the mileage credited. Tip: always keep your boarding passes! I do have mine, but part of the trip was AF and part Delta, so.....
Also, sometimes when I've chosen my seat through Orbitz, the seat is not the same when I get to the airport for the flight. This can be very frustrating, especially if you have booked way ahead and have preferences. It was explained that Orbitz and others buy blocks of tickets, and sometimes the airlines overide the seat choices.
I've been peeking at seats for May and the planes appear quite full to me.....hard to believe there won't be a sale of some sort, but who knows. Fingers crossed!
To my husband and I certain things are worth a little more money. One is a NS flight. Not having to transfer and not having additional hours of travel are worth a higher priced ticket to us. Also being able to choose our seat is imperative as we both "need" an aisle seat. So we would pay more for these perks.
Hi Jim! Leaving Atlanta March 14th to London, London to Rome; returning April 19th, same routing through London back to Atl. Total with all taxes and fees (but no seat assignment!): $666.62.
One way or another what you are looking for is total price whether it is fare or fees (usually in this case, fare would be be 900 and taxes the rest) We booked Salt Lake to Paris and the fare from May 1 to 22 is $1060.00 and I felt it was a good price.
If you have the ability, tweek the days of week to get a better rate. AND at one point just buy the ticket.
What I meant was, are the fees and taxes real or just a smoke and mirrors add-on by the airline to pump up the fare.
Posts: 72 | Location: Newburyport, MA | Registered: 01 June 2005
European airlines, and U.S. airlines on itineraries originating in Europe, can include the "fuel surcharge" in taxes and fees. U.S. airlines on trips originating in the U.S. need to incorporate the fuel surcharge into the pre-tax fare. The surcharge can be close to $300 on a transatlantic round trip.
flycheapabroad prices are really cheap...cheapest fares I've seen for travel from the east coast to Rome in April...and I've been watching them for over six months...also curious whether anyone has experience with this site...
We booked a flight with them last Sept.to Pisa. Their price was the lowest I could find. We had no problem with the company and we even changed the flight time after booking. I had mistakenly sellected the wrong departure time, called them, and they corrected it.
Posts: 80 | Location: Venice, FL USA | Registered: 10 January 2004
So much for a window or aisle seat. 
