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USD is currently strong and oil (Jet fuel) reasonably low. If the price fits your budget; go for it. Impossible to forecast, but that doesn’t feel like an especially high price.I will be doing the last leg of the Portuguese Camino this Oct and my dates are fixed. It turns out that currently British Airlines is having their boxing day "sale" thru Jan 31 and American Airlines copies them. I can currently get a multi-city flight from Abq to Porto in Oct with a return from Lisbon to Abq in Nov for $654 rt - once I bump this up to include a changeable fare (but not refundable) with seats it comes out to $829. I'm thinking this is a reasonable price? General advice is to book international flights 8 to 2 months in advance and it’s 10 months away. Should go ahead and buy today or should I wait a few more months to see if fares drop? A few days ago the price was $804 and one of the flights I was looking at has now gone up to $929. I realize no one has a "crystal ball" but any of you that do a lot of traveling, I'd appreciate your opinion about the price. Thanks. Liz
Hi @Lizbird58,I will be doing the last leg of the Portuguese Camino this Oct and my dates are fixed. It turns out that currently British Airlines is having their boxing day "sale" thru Jan 31 and American Airlines copies them. I can currently get a multi-city flight from Abq to Porto in Oct with a return from Lisbon to Abq in Nov for $654 rt - once I bump this up to include a changeable fare (but not refundable) with seats it comes out to $829. I'm thinking this is a reasonable price? General advice is to book international flights 8 to 2 months in advance and its 10 months away. Should go ahead and buy today or should I wait a few more months to see if fares drop? A few days ago the price was $804 and one of the flights I was looking at has now gone up to $929. I realize no one has a "crystal ball" but any of you that do a lot of traveling, I'd appreciate your opinion about the price. Thanks. Liz
dates are departure: Oct 23, 23 Abq to Opo return Nov 10, 23 Lis to AbqWhat are your dates?
Don’t be concerned too much with the price of a flight a few days ago. The prices change daily accordingto seat availability and seats released and other airlines pricing on that route.
The real question is, are you comfortable with the fare, and the route/stops you will be making? I often find when folks book 10 months out, routes change. You may be satisfied with the price, but later, not the eventual routing. It is, of course, your decision. Normally, I wouldn’t make-reservations that far out…but that is just me.
I’ve flown transatlantic with both, although many years ago. Of the two I’d prefer Iberia.Turns out the AA flight is actually on Iberia - makes me a bit more hesitant to book this far ahead. I think I will continue to monitor fares and book down the road. Again, thanks to all who replied.
I'm not sure why this causes concern. Many flight combinations are done with partner airlines. The flight likely has both an AA flight number and an Iberia flight number. It appears to me that American and Iberia are such partners, so you can buy a single ticket that covers all segments - if your first flight is delayed and you miss your next, the partner airline will give you a seat on the next available flight.Turns out the AA flight is actually on Iberia - makes me a bit more hesitant to book this far ahead.
I have frequent flyer miles on American. They are One World partners with Iberia. When I book with American I am able to choose a seat without additional payment. If it is an Iberia flight booked through American, one must get the seat assignment through Iberia (with a different flight number than the partner AA flight number) and pay an additional fee. Otherwise you get assigned a seat at the airport, usually a middle seat. Whenever something untoward has happened on my Iberia flights booked through American, you wind up stressed out to the last possible second and in last place. Not worth the price of admission IMO.The flight likely has both an AA flight number and an Iberia flight number. It appears to me that American and Iberia are such partners, so you can buy a single ticket that covers all segments - if your first flight is delayed and you miss your next, the partner airline will give you a seat on the next available flight.
Iberia has a unique feature in that you can bid on an upgrade and maybe get a real deal!Turns out the AA flight is actually on Iberia - makes me a bit more hesitant to book this far ahead. I think I will continue to monitor fares and book down the road. Again, thanks to all who replied.
Yes, that sounds/feels like alot of money!At the beginning of this week I priced tickets for early May with a return in late June from Milwaukee or Chicago to Lisbon and a ticket from the dame Milwaukke/Chicago to Lisbon with return from Madrid. They were in the $1300 to $1500 range. There was a note on Google Flights that said the pricing was very high. Am starting to rethink the Camino for this year, but will continue to watch flights.
A flight from LAX to Lisbon via Paris in March on Air France is $819 That's as good as it gets Including seats and luggage (not doing checked luggage)I will be doing the last leg of the Portuguese Camino this Oct and my dates are fixed. It turns out that currently British Airlines is having their boxing day "sale" thru Jan 31 and American Airlines copies them. I can currently get a multi-city flight from Abq to Porto in Oct with a return from Lisbon to Abq in Nov for $654 rt - once I bump this up to include a changeable fare (but not refundable) with seats it comes out to $829. I'm thinking this is a reasonable price? General advice is to book international flights 8 to 2 months in advance and its 10 months away. Should go ahead and buy today or should I wait a few more months to see if fares drop? A few days ago the price was $804 and one of the flights I was looking at has now gone up to $929. I realize no one has a "crystal ball" but any of you that do a lot of traveling, I'd appreciate your opinion about the price. Thanks. Liz
Absolutely not Buy a pair on the way or stow your baggage same with a knifeWill TSA allow trek poles as carry on? Something tells me I’ll need to check those. What do you do?
It’s is an excellent price! I did a fare quote on the dates/product and the actual ‘fare’ is $375 and that is subject to change but the rest ($450) is Taxes, Fees and Surcharges which is unlikely to change as significantly governed by third parties.That sounds like an excellent price. A couple of weeks ago we booked AA flight to A Coruna in April and it cost nearly twice that. From ABQ. Do you mean Albuquerque? That's where we are flying from as well!
Great price!A flight from LAX to Lisbon via Paris in March on Air France is $819 That's as good as it gets Including seats and luggage (not doing checked luggage)
Iberia is a very good airline and Madrid is a very good airport assuming the OP is travelling transatlantic DFW to MAD or ORD to MAD.The Alb - Porto - Lisbon - Alb fare sounds like a good deal to me. I'd have no problem flying Iberia - they are all part of the same system and have the same oversights.
Book it, then forget about it - don't make yourself crazy checking to see if you should have waited for a cheaper flight. Your peace of mind is worth it.
Always a good approach. On an app such as skyscanner you can search from your preferred departure airport (s) to ‘everywhere’ and it will brings up the lowest fares by destination country. Say Italy is lowest, click on that and it will show lowest route. Say it’s Milan… then check if an airline such as Ryanair has a flight into your final destination. Just play around with the app. All the usual caveats about travelling on separate tickets.Yes, that sounds/feels like alot of money!
Have you considered flying into a major city in Europe, then flying Ryan Air to Portugal/Spain? Ryan's flights are limited but cheap.
The answer is maybe. It's at the discretion of the TSA agent that day.Will TSA allow trek poles as carry on? Something tells me I’ll need to check those. What do you do?
The cheapest flight from LAX to Lisbon via Barcelona in March on Level Airlines (flylevel.com) is $309 US. Based on previous flights I've taken that includes tax and carry on luggage only. You may need to bring your own food.A flight from LAX to Lisbon via Paris in March on Air France is $819 That's as good as it gets Including seats and luggage (not doing checked luggage)
Yes flying in from Albuquerque! Last year I flew to the UK and it cost me $1100 RT in Nov. I think the fare is fair!That sounds like an excellent price. A couple of weeks ago we booked AA flight to A Coruna in April and it cost nearly twice that. From ABQ. Do you mean Albuquerque? That's where we are flying from as well!
Benny - I typically check fares on Orbitz. If there is a fare/airline I find that I really like, I cross check it with the airline itself. Sometimes the fares you get on Orbit/Kayak/etc. wont be available directly with the airline, sometimes its much cheaper. Always best to compare if you have the time and inclination. I tried a new site called Hopper, but ironically it was $500 more - so I deleted the app. I'll have to check out sky scanner.What app are you using to obtain these prices? The airlines or some other?
I just checked Tap and sadly they dont fly out of ABQ. Previously read they have one of the best safety records - if anyone else is considering them.Apropos of very little, but Tap Portugal has good schedules from eastern US to Madrid through Lisbon or Porto, and they allow you up to a 72 hour layover in either city for no additional airfare. Very pleasant economy flight back from Madrid to the US July 2021. And they didn't cancel part of their itinerary like both British Airways and Iberia did to me.
It's almost always more expensive yo fly in/out of the smaller airports.That sounds like an excellent price. A couple of weeks ago we booked AA flight to A Coruna in April and it cost nearly twice that. From ABQ. Do you mean Albuquerque? That's where we are flying from as well!
Love my iberian flights So far. But it is an individual experience.I have frequent flyer miles on American. They are One World partners with Iberia. When I book with American I am able to choose a seat without additional payment. If it is an Iberia flight booked through American, one must get the seat assignment through Iberia (with a different flight number than the partner AA flight number) and pay an additional fee. Otherwise you get assigned a seat at the airport, usually a middle seat. Whenever something untoward has happened on my Iberia flights booked through American, you wind up stressed out to the last possible second and in last place. Not worth the price of admission IMO.
I use AA and Iberia all the time. If you book through AA and changes occur, I would suggest calling AA to see what they can do. An example that happened about 4 to 5 years when my sister accompanied me during the first 3 weeks of my trip, before I started my camino hike. I booked the flights through AA on an Air Tahiti Nui, LAX to CDG Paris, using freq fly miles. My sister booked separately on AA flights, LAX - DFW, then DFW - CDG. Her flight were changed so that she's have to wait an unacceptable amount of hours for my flight to arrive -- she speaks no French; 1st trip overseas, etc. I called AA in her behalf and on explaining the situation, they decided to put her on the nonstop with their partner, Air Tahiti Nui, my flight, with no extra charge. This is not unusual. I have had 2 dozen flights to Europe over the years with numerous changes. Flight times are prone to being rearranged up to about two months prior to departure. With most of these, one can roll with the punches. And up to the moment of departure, there are any number of reasons for delays, needs to rebook connecting flights etc. due to unforeseen circumstances. With possible exception of this year's Christmas flights, I would say that given the number of passengers taking to the skies, I'm amazed at how often the airlines get it right (especially since so much is beyond their direct control)!Nothing against Iberia - I have never flown them. Just thinking that in case of a change, it will be more difficult since AA would be in "charge" of the flight and changes have to go through them. Even trickier if I pay through Chase using some of my CC points.
I would jump on that price but realize the flights will change--but if you aren't too worried about some changes then I would go for it, esp as you are traveling from Abq, which ever airline you choose, be sure to join their frequent flier program. This will help prevent you from being bumped off (non loyalty club members get bumped first if a plane is overbooked,etc)I will be doing the last leg of the Portuguese Camino this Oct and my dates are fixed. It turns out that currently British Airlines is having their boxing day "sale" thru Jan 31 and American Airlines copies them. I can currently get a multi-city flight from Abq to Porto in Oct with a return from Lisbon to Abq in Nov for $654 rt - once I bump this up to include a changeable fare (but not refundable) with seats it comes out to $829. I'm thinking this is a reasonable price? General advice is to book international flights 8 to 2 months in advance and its 10 months away. Should go ahead and buy today or should I wait a few more months to see if fares drop? A few days ago the price was $804 and one of the flights I was looking at has now gone up to $929. I realize no one has a "crystal ball" but any of you that do a lot of traveling, I'd appreciate your opinion about the price. Thanks. Liz
Good move! You won’t regret it!Thanks to all who replied. I went ahead and booked the changeable airfare with AA. If down the road the price drops, AA will issue a credit, but I think the $829 on the dates, with times I like -no 4:00 am flightsis a fair price, even if they adjust the schedule. Bueno Camino!
Yes, we routinely book pretty early, but our flight arrangements are often changed by the airlines to include cancellations, etc. We live where there's no option for direct flights and usually have 3 legs...UPDATE: I still have 5 months to go b4 my my trip, but I did want to share that the flight I booked almost 10 months in advance has already had 2 schedule changes. I had been cautioned about this, but based on the excellent price, I decided to go ahead and book. While I'm glad I booked to secure the lower price (rates are now $500 more for my dates/main cabin), the most recent schedule change involves a 24 hour layover so I'm working with the travel agent to figure out what they can do. IF you book really early, be aware that you will most likely be rescheduled at least once or multiple times according to the convenience of the airlines. My travel agent, says its very likely I will be rescheduled again. Bueno Camino!
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