As I've noted previously, I normally purchase two one-way tickets as I have found that flights are the cheapest in the very early days of their becoming available. I was looking at flights from Portland, OR, to SXM in early November. I had already reserved my room at Horny Toad so was trying to arrive on the day I had reserved. One-way, first-class flights leaving on a Thursday/arriving on a Friday started at $1,500 and went up to $3,500! So crazy. I played around a bit (thanks to a suggestion from Todd) and discovered that if I left on Monday, the fare was only $627 so I jumped on it!

Now waiting for the return flights to become available. If I still want to stay a full five weeks, I'm going to have to move rooms at The Toad because my room was already reserved on the date of my initial check-out. The joys of traveling . . . .

After weeks of looking for non-stops out of EWR roundtrip I tried the one way trick and it worked and booked direct with United economy seats. Round trip for 2 went from $1900 to $1100. Was very happy for a $550 fare each ,round trip but now after reading the threads about AA canceling bookings etc, feeling like United might do the same and I am checking the reservation every day.

Initially I booked unit separate and then round trip fares- with travelociity and was able to get round trip nonstop with AA, one hour later it was changed ..to a one stop MIA going and then....return to MIA and leaving us in St Thomas. Had to cancel that and there was very little help from travelocity other than to cancel the flights which I did and the search began for our flights as the room was booked.

The compromise was we need to stay an extra two days to get the nonstop fares out of EWR which when you think about it not that bad. Still don't have anything book for the last 2 days of our trip but I am confident getting a decent rate on those last two days will be much easier than the nonstops. I recall pre Irma/Covid/inflation it was easy to find the fares at around 500 each.

It is amazing how days of the week can impact fares in some cases. Moving rooms would be a small price to pay for the savings and it may work out where you don't have to move rooms. That is a really good fare for first class, heck, I pay close to that for coach tickets.

Hi ruralcarrier, while its not first class, its economy we do each have isle seats across from one another and only includes one checked bag each, which is good for us. Do not plan on taking off the bathing suits much in the 9 days we are there. What was most important was the non stop, as these days its really a crap shoot with the airlines/airports and missing connections, rebooking and waiting around in airports is not our idea of a way to start or end a vacation.

Perhaps considering your post 'first class' just means nonstop? Also flying out on Monday, returning on Wednesday I think may help also as its not the weekend/glut of timeshare check in days?
Best,
Viiking

No, the first class was in reference to the post jazzgal made about her ticket situation. It is almost always cheaper to fly mid-week versus weekends.

The Viking--I would say these days I personally would NEVER book an airline ticket through Travelocity (etc...) versus directly with the airline. With all the changes, etc., no way I would take that chance. You have a much better chance of success if something goes wrong, if you have booked directly with the airline.

Very true. Especially with what has been going on with many airlines canceling or changing flights.

100% correct.

times they are changing..............as well as stress level of flying

I have good friends who flew Southwest from BWI to Denver to spend Christmas with their son. They lost a day going out and another on their return. He said future trips will be by car.

Tom--from the horror stories I have been hearing, it sounds like your friends were 'somewhat' lucky.

Carol,
Indeed, they considered themselves fortunate. They were impressed that most travelers were relatively calm and understanding, but then remembered that Colorado has legalized casual marijuana so many had help with their serenity.