How to save Money with combined flights?

Hi @ all,

I am an intern from Germany and want to travel with my girlfriend a litte bit through USA when she is coming for visiting me in June '09.

Itinirary: New Orleans -> Chicago -> New York -> Los Angeles -> New Orleans. (I live in New Orleans)

We are students and don't have so much Money. Does somebody have an idea how to book the cheapest flights? Is there a possibility to buy combined flights like for above mentioned itinirary?

What is the cheapest way of staying in a town like above mentioned? I was thinking about a Hostel?

We are going to all those places within 2 weeks.

Please let me know your recommendations!!!

Thank you and best regards,

Alex

[ Edit: Edited on 25-Feb-2009, at 16:51 by Germanator ]

Hello

hotels.com has a large assortment of hotels by price and feedback, so you can choose where to stay from there; for flights I would go with kayak.com

Have a save and wonderful trip

Caren

As far as flights, I completely agree that you should def check out kayak.com. They search a bunch of other sights and then give you an overview of what's out there

Also check out www.southwest.com which kayak.com doesn't cover.

Generally, southwest has the cheapest point-to-point airfares--especially if you book at least two weeks ahead and do it on-line and pay for it when booking.

For most people I'd say plan to fly into and out of the same city--for example, if coming from Europe, get a round trip ticket to New York City, then get point to point to the other places, with your last point-to-point flight taking you back to New York. If coming from Asia or from Australia, then book your round-trip ticket to either LA or SF, then do your point-to-points from there. In your case, your girlfriend will get a round trip to New Orleans since you will both be travelling from there.

As far as point to point fares, here's an example:

A ticket on Southwest Airlines from New Orleans to Chicago, if you take the nonstop during a weekday and book two weeks ahead runs $109.60 (including all taxes) per person.

Kayak found a ticket on the same day on Air Tran for $105 per person, but that fare requires you to make a stop in Atlanta on the way.

If you don't book ahead, these fares can run you as much as $250 to 355 per person.

Good luck and enjoy

hey, thank you for those nice recommendations!!

so it means it's not possible to book a round trip? within USA from NOLA back to NOLA? Okay, i will check out those websites for pricing point to point. Is it cheaper to fly during a weekday or on weekends? Thanks again!

Alex

Hmm I'm not exactly sure what you meant in your last comment, but on kayak.com you should be able to put in all those destinations together by using the "multi-city" option.

honestly I didn't make a check at multi-city, thats exactly what I was looking for, thank you!