P3D Going to Green Bay?

[Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

If you plan to fly to Green Bay for the '99 convention, you
might want to consider purchasing your airline tickets now.
As always, seats offered at a particular fare are limited.
A low fare can be "sold out" even though the flight overall
is still quite empty.  Your chances of getting a good fare
usually dimish as time goes by.

Although Green Bay is included in the Northwest-initiated
round of specials, (must purchase by April 7), be careful
in your travel shopping.  The current "special" fare might
not be the lowest fare.*

Remember that most airlines match each other's specials, so
you don't have to fly Northwest to take advantage of the
current sale prices.  Also, be sure to check neighboring
cities.  For example, Austin to Green Bay is much less
than San Antonio to Green Bay; Philadelphia to Green Bay
is less than Baltimore to Green Bay (though it is rare
for Philly to be less than Baltimore for air travel).

Be careful with the on-line ticketing services if you are
not highly experienced using them.  You usually can't be
sure that the lowest fare on a particular screen display
is the lowest possible fare you could get.  Also, different
services are programmed differently and won't always come
up with the same results.

If you will be traveling in a small group, there are a
number of extra considerations.  1) If anyone in your group
is over 62, be sure to look for the special senior companion
fare.  Those fares are extremely low (*much* better than the
usual senior discount) AND the fare is good for both the
senior and one companion *of any age.*  2) There are also
some very low child (2-17) companion fares at this time (low
fare applies to child only).  3) From most cities in the U.S.,
the fare to Milwaukee will be less than the fare to Green Bay.
If you are part of a group of 2 or more the savings may be
enough to pay for a rental car for the weekend.  (Also consider
meeting up with other convention participants to share a car
rental in Milwaukee.) 

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, prepare to be robbed....
or exercise extraordinary creativity.  You could fly from
Seattle to Baltimore, take Amtrak to Philly, then fly from
Phily to Green Bay, giving you a three-city vacation for only
a few more transportation dollars than just flying from Seattle
to Green Bay, based on currently offered fares.  Similarly, you
may be able to combine your convention trip with a vacation in
places like Austin, Atlanta, or Las Vegas for less than $100
additional airfare.  About the only other reasonably priced
option at this time for convention goers from the Pacific
Northwest is to travel with a senior citizen, or redeem a
frequent flyer award. 


*For example, the normal lowest fare from Austin to Green Bay
has usually been a little over $400.  Northwest cut that to
$345 for the current special.  Continental, Northwest, and
Delta, however, already had a $256 fare in place since January.
Although the $256 fare does not carry a stated expiration date,
it could disappear at any moment--and the closer we get to
summer, the more likely it will be to be discontinued.

Paul Talbot, your P3D travel advisor


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