Okay, so I'm really excited that I booked our airfare to come to Utah for Christmas. We haven't been home for Christmas for the past two years. Last year, we stayed here because I was too pregnant to fly; and the year before, we stayed because my family wanted to come to our house. So, pray for snow this winter because we are coming to bask in it!
So, the past few months we have been pricing tickets and trying to find some that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. The airlines really stick it to you at Christmas time (really, would you like my first born child, too?!) Because the prices were hanging around $500 per ticket (and we are buying FOUR tickets now people), we were seriously considering driving. In fact, we had decided to drive. But every time we thought about two straight days of driving with three kids, we would get nauseous....literally. It's not a pleasant experience. Well, we finally found some reasonable tickets on Frontier for about $300 each...not bad--but not a direct flight. We have to stop in Denver, which is a risk in winter due to snow. (So please pray for NO snow on Dec. 21st.) Well, Trevor went ahead and looked at prices through Continental, which is a direct flight. They were $500 more, and we would get there a day later. To me, it was a no-brainer. Save $500, get an extra day of vacation, and take the risk of the snow in denver. But Trevor was really pushing for the direct flight. Come on, would you pay $500 more to have a flight that is two hours shorter? Granted, flying with kids is NOT fun. But it's much better than 24 hours in the car...am I right? So I booked the Frontier flight. I don't know about you, but I can think of million ways to spend that extra $500 and NOT on a direct flight. So, now I ask you...what would you do given the same choice???
14 comments:
Oh man I feel for the searching for the best priced plane tickets! That is such a pain! And good and bad news I will be praying the WHOLE winter for NO snow! So hopefully that will bring some luck on your layover...I hate those too...there wasn't a direct flight from louisville!!! How long are you going to be here...we have Christmas in Cali this year but we won't be there too long!
Two whole weeks! Grace doesn't have to be back to school until the 7th, so we are taking advantage of it.
Nice!! can't wait!! Do another count down until you are here on your blog! Anyway, I so would have done the cheaper flight. Even though you have a lay over. Hello, you march yourself right over to target and use the extra $500!! Plane tickets are hard to swallow sometimes. We just had to buy 4 to disneyland. Even though the drive isn't too long from here, it was soooo worth flying!! Driving 24 hours with kids, I would have spent anything not to drive. Well, maybne not anything, but $300 sounds like a steal! Can't wait to see you!
We are in the same boat for finding flights for Chrismas. The problem we have is that the flights to SLC are few and far between. Plus it is cheaper to fly to London than SLC - how sad is that! I do think direct flights are ideal - but, so is an extra $500. Jeff would totally be the direct flight pusher too!
If it had just been a couple of hundred, I probably would have gone for the direct flight (except for the fact that it was a day later...I would have debated on that)! But $500 is a lot of money. You could spend it on a VERY luxurious day at the spa to get over the pain of your layover and travelling! Sounds good to me!
If I were flying by myself I would totally opt for direct, but you aren't right? So good call on the frontier tickets. Isn't it so hard living far from home? Not only do you have to sacrifice not seeing or living around family, but you have to pay an arm and a leg just to make a visit. We are still on the fence about whether to go home or not. Because then there is the whole car issue if you fly. My family doesn't have an extra car, so then we have to rent one. Cha ching, cha ching!
Hmm... I think I'm with Trevor. I hate layovers and connecting flights. So much risk for lost luggage or overbooked flights. Can't wait to see you guys, it was so fun to see you when you were here last!
How fun to be here for two weeks! A direct flight would be really nice, but since I am always trying to save a bit, I'd definitely pick the flight with the layover. Then if the $500 is extra money, then you can play while you are here. Hope you guys are doing well!
Ok Annie- This sounds all to familiar! I would have to say Chad would for sure side with Trevor! Me... I'm always still up in the air with things like that, there is always good and bad with both situations. I still remember the Christmas we were going home and it was snowing in Boston where we were trying to fly out of so it was delayed a whole day. There was a band in the background playing "I'll be Home for Christmas" I could have killed the band players! I'll be praying for NO snow as well on the 21st:) Sorry for the downer story, I can laugh at it now, cause I wasn't then!!
Do you know how many times I could get my hair highlighted with $500? That's just ONE idea...you go, girl!
Wow, the song "I'll be home for Christmas" sounds better sung, "I'll be broke for Christmas"!! Holy Cow. I already know that Greg would never had sided with either of you...he would of made me drive all the way there!!! I won't be complaining, having to drive 45 minutes to my in laws just sounds a lot better now!! Although it is nice to live close to home, it doesn't mean much for me because all of my sisters live away and so my parents take turns going and spending Christmas with them! We need to have a little get together when everyone is home for Christmas!!!
I would have made the same decision- absolutely. Can I also add that I am excited you will be here again so soon?! Kamryn actually said, "Mom, Grace needs to come for a visit again so we can play," just yesterday, so she'll be really excited too! Merry Christmas!
I would definenlty have you take the layover in Denver and then we could come see you!!!!! Denver snow is very unpredictable. I would take the chance. Most days are sunny and calm even in the middle of winter. Although- last winter was HORRIBLE! How fun that you get to go home for Christmas!
Wow. Airlines suck the money right out of you. That is a really tough choice--non stop vs. significantly cheaper. I don't know what I would have done, but I will pray that the travel works out well for you. That's always such a pain. I know it's far away, but good luck to you.
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