Buying plane tickets

MK1 · 06-24-2009, 01:08 PM

Hi everyone,

We're planning our trip to Aruba for end of May next year. We will have about 30-40 people with us. My fiancee and I are wondering if it's better to buy tickets now (Continental's end of May 2010 tickets should be available soon) or wait until Jet Blue opens up their seat reservations around November (I think the earliest available seat reservations are 6 or 7 months before).

What do you recommend? Has anyone flown on Continental from NY/NJ? I've been reading through the posts and most people seem to like Jet Blue the best. I'm just nervous about waiting so long to purchase tickets.

Thanks for all your help!
MK

*Liz - Aruba Lover* · 06-24-2009, 01:59 PM

Is everyone in your group going the same dates. If so, you should call the group department at Continental & Jet Blue. They might be able to give you a better rate. I used both of those airlines when I had my travel business and ran group trips to Las Vegas (Continental from Newark) and to California (Jet Blue from JFK). In some cases you can reserve now and not pay for the tickets until a few months before the trip. Also, if the price of the ticket goes down (I checked the airline website often), you can call the airline to get the lower rate, If you need more info, feel free to PM or email me.

Chadd · 06-28-2009, 05:13 PM

With a group of that size you should get a decent rate and it's never too early to call.

ppdprincess168 · 06-29-2009, 10:24 PM

I flew continental out of newark this week.. had no problems with them whatsoever... i do hear jet blue is good though

bonbini · 06-30-2009, 11:00 AM

When I was comparing prices for our flight, Continental was about $100 less than Jet Blue. From what I understand, the TVs won't work for most of the trip. To me, that's the reason why I would spend the extra money to fly Jet Blue. I do prefer Jet Blue for our flights from Newark to Florida. Their service is great but when you add up the savings time 30 to 40 tickets, it's a no-brainer to me!

MK1 · 06-30-2009, 12:27 PM

Thanks all. I really appreciate all your help. I'm really glad to have found this forum - it's been such a big help in our planning!!

Shnyda · 07-01-2009, 11:23 AM

Continental to Aruba vs. Jet Blue to Aruba - Continental has won the price wars each time I have looked to fly to Aruba.

I live in North NJ and it is much more convenent to fly out of EWR rather then JFK. Even if a flight were 50 - 100 cheaper - I'd still go with Continental to avoid the hassle of the trek to Queens.

Karen in NYC · 07-08-2009, 12:00 PM

JB DirectTV does NOT work for most of the flight (bec. its over water) and they have the nerve to charge for the movies in that case.

and JB is NOT always the cheapest. But they have the BEST seats.

DirectTv also doesnt work on part of the JFK-CUN trip.

sunworshipperII · 07-08-2009, 03:57 PM

Where are the Jan flights?????

Dom · 07-09-2009, 11:25 AM

Continental will only allow you to make a reservation a maximum of 330 days in advance.

06-24-2009, 01:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
MK1 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 25	Buying plane tickets Hi everyone, We're planning our trip to Aruba for end of May next year. We will have about 30-40 people with us. My fiancee and I are wondering if it's better to buy tickets now (Continental's end of May 2010 tickets should be available soon) or wait until Jet Blue opens up their seat reservations around November (I think the earliest available seat reservations are 6 or 7 months before). What do you recommend? Has anyone flown on Continental from NY/NJ? I've been reading through the posts and most people seem to like Jet Blue the best. I'm just nervous about waiting so long to purchase tickets. Thanks for all your help! MK Last edited by MK1; 06-24-2009 at 01:17 PM.

06-24-2009, 01:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Liz - Aruba Lover Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,323	Is everyone in your group going the same dates. If so, you should call the group department at Continental & Jet Blue. They might be able to give you a better rate. I used both of those airlines when I had my travel business and ran group trips to Las Vegas (Continental from Newark) and to California (Jet Blue from JFK). In some cases you can reserve now and not pay for the tickets until a few months before the trip. Also, if the price of the ticket goes down (I checked the airline website often), you can call the airline to get the lower rate, If you need more info, feel free to PM or email me. __________________ http://dinearuba.com Aruba Lover since 1985

06-28-2009, 05:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chadd Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arikok Antilla Natural pool Posts: 499	With a group of that size you should get a decent rate and it's never too early to call. __________________

06-30-2009, 12:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
MK1 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 25	Thanks all. I really appreciate all your help. I'm really glad to have found this forum - it's been such a big help in our planning!! Last edited by MK1; 06-30-2009 at 12:28 PM. Reason: Grammar errors

07-08-2009, 03:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
sunworshipperII Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Beach, The Marriotts lazy river Posts: 320	Where are the Jan flights????? __________________

06-29-2009, 10:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
ppdprincess168 Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Age: 29 Posts: 7	I flew continental out of newark this week.. had no problems with them whatsoever... i do hear jet blue is good though

06-30-2009, 11:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
bonbini Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 34	When I was comparing prices for our flight, Continental was about $100 less than Jet Blue. From what I understand, the TVs won't work for most of the trip. To me, that's the reason why I would spend the extra money to fly Jet Blue. I do prefer Jet Blue for our flights from Newark to Florida. Their service is great but when you add up the savings time 30 to 40 tickets, it's a no-brainer to me!

07-01-2009, 11:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
Shnyda Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gold Coast Villas Age: 31 Posts: 270	Continental to Aruba vs. Jet Blue to Aruba - Continental has won the price wars each time I have looked to fly to Aruba. I live in North NJ and it is much more convenent to fly out of EWR rather then JFK. Even if a flight were 50 - 100 cheaper - I'd still go with Continental to avoid the hassle of the trek to Queens.

07-08-2009, 12:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Karen in NYC Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 78	JB DirectTV does NOT work for most of the flight (bec. its over water) and they have the nerve to charge for the movies in that case. and JB is NOT always the cheapest. But they have the BEST seats. DirectTv also doesnt work on part of the JFK-CUN trip.

07-09-2009, 11:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
Dom Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 121	Continental will only allow you to make a reservation a maximum of 330 days in advance. __________________ Dom Next visit to Costa Linda in