Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Wanted NW Cohouser to fly cheap to Amherst

[Raines Cohen (coho-L]

Lynn Nadeau <welcome [at] olympus.net> wrote on Mon, 13 Sep 99 12:51:55 -0700:

>Read on, if you are, or might know, someone aged 62+ who would like to 
>attend the Amherst conference, flying to and from Seattle, if the plane 
>fare was only $299 RT.
>
>United has a "companion fare" available to anyone travelling with a 
>senior. Needn't be disabled, or a relative, just of age and travelling 
>together. 
>
>The usual fare is about $650 for one person, Seattle-Massachusetts and 
>back. But at $299 each I could afford to go, and  you--- aged 
>62+----could also attend this fabulous conference at the lower air fare. 
>
>Sharingwood? Songaia? Puget Ridge? Bellingham? Ciel? Call me asap!

While that does sound like a good deal, I found an even better deal (no 
companion required - but no guarantee you can do as well) at 
www.priceline.com after I missed the 3-week advance cutoff... I bid $240 
RT for SF-Boston, going out Wednesday before the conference (because 
there's no guarantee as to when you'll get to fly... early or late), 
returning the Tuesday afterwards. I ended up routed on midday-departure 
flights both way (much easier for transit to/from the airport or dropoff 
by friends), America West via Las Vegas. Last time I did this, I ended up 
earning miles _and_ got voluntary bumped for $400 of future flight 
credit, and a first-class upgrade for the last leg of my trip. Try an 
offer and see what you can get.

Lucky Stores also has a deal I've heard of: buy $50 worth of groceries 
and get certificates for cheap (<$250 RT?) on Delta. Joani tipped me off 
to this (and even sold me some of her excess groceries!)

If you're running down to the wire, the Wed. before check out all the 
airline web sites for online specials... sometimes they let you book 1 
week ahead. For instance, American has a special on this week (or was it 
last week? hard to tell from the forwarded message) for $289 RT San 
Jose-Boston, limited to the coming weekend, Friday nite or Saturday 
outbound, Mon-Tues. return.

Also, check to see if any of your frequent flyer miles are due to expire 
at the end of the year.. some airlines let you pay the difference or use 
a small amount for discounted travel.

Now if I can just find a Thursday-morning ride to Amherst from Cambridge 
CoHo (I'll be staying a block away), and can get my group to join TCN for 
the discounted rate, I'll be all set.

Raines

Raines Cohen <coho-L [at] raines.com> <http://www.swansway.com>
  Member, Old Oakland [CA] Cohousing at Swan's Market
Where we're eagerly awaiting the results of a reshuffling of available 
units.
  and member, East Bay Cohousing
Hopefully soon to be a developing-group member of TCN.

[and congrats to Temescal Creek Cohousing on developing a lovely N-Street 
style project in Oakland in less than six months!!!]