All:

I wanted to give you this information as soon as possible so that you can make your travel arrangements to San Diego.

In short: "group fares" for flights are NOT cheaper than what an individual traveler might be able to find. Seats on planes get more expensive as the plan sells out, so when you ask for 20 tickets, they take an average of cheaper and lower fares and sell you a block.

Boo to that.

Further, requiring 20+ people to travel on the same itinerary is not all that feasible for grown working adults. Maybe for a high school trip or something!

I presented my research to the Board last night, and we voted to NOT try to arrange group flights. We believe this is in the best interest of every traveler.

That being said, here are my $.02!

BOOK EARLY. BOOK NOW.

Some research shows:
American Airlines, Thursday - Sunday from DCA: $484
Continenal Airlines, Thursday - Monday from IAD: $460
Southwest Airlines, Thursday -Sunday from BWI: $401
Frontier Airlines, Thursday - Monday from DCA: $320
Frontier Airlines, Thursday - Sunday from DCA: $386
Frontier Airlines, Crack-of Dawn Friday - Monday from DCA: $325

I would suggest that you post your itineraries in response to this thread to give your clubmates suggestions on good prices!

Info on hotels to come by the end of the day.

Thank you!

Abby Sanford
2012 Secretary/Member Services Director

Thanks for the research. Another good way to share itineraries is with the free site tripit.com . You can forward your confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com and then it automatically compiles all your flight, hotel, car, etc. information so it's easy to print and share. (It also gives you a static URL, so we could post the URLs of our itineraries here, rather than flight/hotel/car, etc. separately.)

I am on Continental Thursday evening to Monday afternoon direct from IAD.

http://www.tripit.com/trip/public/id/222FC36D1157

I plan on staying to a hotel close to the race, location TBD, so no rental car for me.

Got my reservation on Southwest - did nonstop both ways from BWI for $179 going on Thursday, May 10 and $279 coming back on Sunday, May 13, but you can get a flight for $179 both ways if you take one that has one stop (some with no plane change). I have a ride to BWI from a friend's house, but you can get a train from Union Station to BWI. Southwest also flies from Dulles - I saw a flight out for $169 (1:25pm - 7:00pm) on the 10th and return for $265 (12:10pm - 9:15pm) on the 13th. There was a return flight on Monday the 14th for $191, but it was a long trip (9:05am-9:15pm).
My itinerary:
Lv BWI 10:35 am Thursday, 10 May
Arr SAN 1:20 pm Thursday, 10 May
Lv SAN 11:30 am Sunday, 13 May
Arr BWI 7:30 pm Sunday, 13 May

Anybody else going from BWI?

Liz

I'm on the same itinerary as Dena, Thursday to Monday, direct from IAD-->SAN.

--Abby

There are also Cheapoair company flights, via Frontier, one stop, c. $230, Thurs-Monday:

http://www.cheapoair.com/travel/cheap-flights/frontier-airlines-F9.html?FpAffiliate=EENL&FpSub=11031_t9_Flight-Jan1112-button

Ed is flying the plane. Bring your own toilet paper and snacks.
And they will take up a collection for refueling.

Actually, Mo', it would be even cheaper to do a reverse-RAAM, and ride to San Diego.

Preliminary hotel information posted here:
http://www.dctriclub.org/forum/messages.cfm?tid=D8BDAFFE-0F8D-AAF4-C025178244D16937

Tripit is pretty cool. I'm on your flights ladies.

We should carpool to Dulles. :)

Sure! .

My itinerary's here: http://www.tripit.com/trip/show/id/29271515

Flying direct from BWI Thursday night, May 10. Returning early Monday, May 14 (also direct).

Kris

Just got a killer deal on Travelocity. Two round trip tickets (one for me and one for the DC Tri Club first lady) for $400. Head over to Travelocity now, there is a round trip option for $179 + taxes & fees.

Ryan

Ron and I are booking that great deal now and added the Dana hotel for a great flight/hotel rate!