Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,433
Posts310,101
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
Todd 40
jazzgal 40
Member Spotlight
Posts: 21
Joined: July 2022
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
32 registered members (Mark2dBVI, jeepers, jaxon60, Memphré, magpie, Midsouth, TravelHat, eightzerobits, GeorgeC1, sugarae, xrayman67, LINNY, SXMScubaman, Standrea, ericlut, SXMBND, Kennys, bailau, CaribbeanCanadians, jazzgal, 12 invisible), 1,005 guests, and 77 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? #73822
11/05/2015 04:48 PM
11/05/2015 04:48 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Alexandria, VA
MandT2SXM Offline OP
Traveler
MandT2SXM  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Alexandria, VA
We have just booked a week at the Royal Islander La Plage, where we stayed 2010, and I'm starting to look at flights from the DC area to SXM for Memorial Day weekend, returning the following weekend. I'm seeing AA around $600, Delta around $900 and United over $1000. If you've traveled to St. Maarten in late May, when did you book your flights? My gut is panicking and telling me to book now, but I wonder if the prices will drop after the new year. Any advice will be really appreciated!

SXM Sponsors
Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: MandT2SXM] #73823
11/05/2015 04:56 PM
11/05/2015 04:56 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
When it gets to a price you can live with. I would pull the trigger on anything in the $600 range myself.


J.D.
Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: MandT2SXM] #73824
11/05/2015 05:31 PM
11/05/2015 05:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 969
Maine U.S.A.
Modi Offline
Traveler
Modi  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 969
Maine U.S.A.
That's about our SXM vacation time as well, and we usually book in October. We were watching flights and delayed booking in Oct. this year but just pulled the trigger and booked two nights ago. Two people, each with a bag, no other frills, on JetBlue - PWM (Portland, ME) to SXM - $1,101.02 was the total bill.

In the past 8 years we've kept Air to around $1K or less, and when we've booked it, we've never seen it go down appreciably in the ensuing months leading up to our trip.

This time Airfare has been around this $1.1K price all during Oct. We were getting the feeling that it isn't going to get much cheaper, and since everything has to go up sometime we stopped the waiting and resigned ourselves to the fact that we'd be paying the extra $100 or so.

Ultimately our delaying did cost us even a little more. While we were waiting to choose and lock in airfare, our destination, Club Orient, was apparently filling up for early June, so much so that they had already kicked in their new flex pricing, and on four of our 11 nights the Minisuite prices rose 5% (about 30 Euro total)

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: MandT2SXM] #73825
11/05/2015 06:06 PM
11/05/2015 06:06 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,569
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,569
Auburn, WA
We book ours in June for our May flights going and early July for our return flights in June. Miles or cash. That's when we do it.

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: SXMScubaman] #73826
11/05/2015 06:25 PM
11/05/2015 06:25 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 408
Brick, NJ
JanBob Offline
Traveler
JanBob  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 408
Brick, NJ
We booked United in June for our trip next may for $821.00 each for 2 of us 1st class. The best we have seen so far. Going from EWR to SXM Start looking now <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/usflag.gif" alt="" />

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: JanBob] #73827
11/05/2015 06:58 PM
11/05/2015 06:58 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Flights from NY/NJ are a whole different price category than anywhere else.

To the original poster, if you can live with the price, book it and don't look back. It's all you can do!


Carol Hill
Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: Carol_Hill] #73828
11/05/2015 07:32 PM
11/05/2015 07:32 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
Traveler
pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Carol,

It still generally works out better to book early, even out of NY, particularly for prime dates. We paid about $880.00 For two and right now those same flights were almost a thousand each last week. In my experience out of NY, if you know your dates, the earlier you book the better off you are.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: pat] #73829
11/05/2015 08:32 PM
11/05/2015 08:32 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Pat--you obviously know that market much better than I do. I was only pointing out that DC is a much different market than NY/NJ. We here in Florida would love to have the pricing and different schedules available from NY. DC folks are in a whole different other league, in terms of price and possible connections--and the 'other league' is the minor leagues. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />


Carol Hill
Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: MandT2SXM] #73830
11/05/2015 08:54 PM
11/05/2015 08:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
P
PelicanPirate Offline
Traveler
PelicanPirate  Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
As long as arrival, departure and connections are ok, $600 looks pretty good. Its possible to see $450's but it is more probable to see $850.00. I'd sleep pretty good at $600.00. US/AA always seemed to me to be cheaper than Delta that always looks high to me.

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: PelicanPirate] #73831
11/05/2015 10:00 PM
11/05/2015 10:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 203
Ontario
T
tbaybob Offline
Traveler
tbaybob  Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 203
Ontario
I booked Westjet from Thunder Bay Apr 10 to May 3 $450US each..They have policy to refund if lower price happens up to day of departure .I'd look for a US airline that did that too.

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: tbaybob] #73832
11/05/2015 10:12 PM
11/05/2015 10:12 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
Traveler
islandgem  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Just curious, why would you pay Westjet in US dollars if you are living in Canada.Their rates are always quoted in Canadian dollars as they are a Canadian airline.




Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: tbaybob] #73833
11/05/2015 10:59 PM
11/05/2015 10:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Well, jeez, you can LOOK, but you won't find it!!! There are no US airlines currently flying to SXM that offer price refunds if the price goes down--unless the reduction in price is over the change fee, which is normally $100 to $150...


Carol Hill
Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: islandgem] #73834
11/05/2015 11:36 PM
11/05/2015 11:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 203
Ontario
T
tbaybob Offline
Traveler
tbaybob  Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 203
Ontario
I converted to US so would be familiar to my American friends.Of course I paid in Canadian

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: tbaybob] #73835
11/06/2015 09:11 AM
11/06/2015 09:11 AM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Alexandria, VA
MandT2SXM Offline OP
Traveler
MandT2SXM  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Alexandria, VA
Thanks everyone - we'll book ASAP vs. waiting around. It look like there are plenty of seats to choose from, and even decent biz class prices, so perhaps for an extra few hundred we'll fly down in style!

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: MandT2SXM] #73836
11/06/2015 11:42 AM
11/06/2015 11:42 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,569
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,569
Auburn, WA
Don't forget to factor in the free checked bags. Makes the cost difference between coach and business/first class closer.

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: MandT2SXM] #73837
11/06/2015 11:53 AM
11/06/2015 11:53 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
Traveler
pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
MandT,

I just finished booking AA flights for next September because I wanted specific flights and wanted to use accumulated FF miles.

I agree with the idea of seeing and grabbing a flight when the price looks reasonable, regardless of how early it may seem, but remember, once you book with any airline, and particularly with AA for anytime AFTER Easter and before high season begins again, check your reservations frequently for changes. They're supposed to notify you, and my personal experience is they always have, but many here say they don't receive any warning of changes. It really pays to be proactive where your reservations are concerned.

Good luck with booking, and if the AA Business Class is remotely close, it's worth the extra money, IMHO. Have a great trip.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: SXMScubaman] #73838
11/06/2015 12:15 PM
11/06/2015 12:15 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Alexandria, VA
MandT2SXM Offline OP
Traveler
MandT2SXM  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Alexandria, VA
Quote
SXMScubaman said:
Don't forget to factor in the free checked bags. Makes the cost difference between coach and business/first class closer.
Thanks for the reminder on this. We do travel heavy. You should see us take a cruise - 2 large suitcases, a duffle bag of shoes and misc. items, plus an overstuffed garment bag. For SXM we go a little lighter, but will definitely be checking bags!

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: SXMScubaman] #73839
11/06/2015 12:20 PM
11/06/2015 12:20 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
Traveler
GaKaye  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Quote
SXMScubaman said:
Don't forget to factor in the free checked bags. Makes the cost difference between coach and business/first class closer.


That, and a couple of glasses of wine!

Re: Memorial Day weekend 2016 - when to book flights? [Re: GaKaye] #73840
11/10/2015 06:15 PM
11/10/2015 06:15 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Alexandria, VA
MandT2SXM Offline OP
Traveler
MandT2SXM  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Alexandria, VA
We have our flights booked! AA, and got business class for just a few hundred extra. What a treat this will be. Thank you all for your advice and encouragement.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1