How do you find your airplanes and hotels?

[Maarchk]

I am looking to travel, and maybe this should be off topic but i'm not sure.

Where do you look for good hotel deals and where do you look for good airline deals? I know there are like 30 sites but which one do you think is best and why?

Thanks!

Mark

[attgig]

I usually use kayak or sidestep. Both provide similar results, but I like em cuz it's more of an aggregator and links you to where they found the cheapest price. They also have great filtering widgets.
Also, my airport is a southwest hub, so that usually is cheaper than the alternatives so i'll take a look on southwest's website.

hotels, I've done hotwire and priceline before, but watch out for downtown locations that charge a bundle for parking (that's hosed me before). Those guys usually give me the best prices.

rental cars, i almost always use hotwire, and almost always the best price.

[VTGreg]

For flights, I will look at either Expedia or Orbitz to figure out which carrier will be the cheapest given my schedule and then typically book directly through that carries website (saves me $5).

Hotels, I typically use points so I can't help there. Ditto on rental cars.

[DarkFury]

I use Travelocity... then book directly with the airline. :)

[Markel]

For flights, one site that's worth checking is Kayak (http://www.kayak.com/). I've had them uncover some itineraries that the carrier's own site doesn't show (and costs that match the carrier's site - it seems that they will link you directly to the carrier to make the purchase). I've been shopping for some tickets between Chicago and Salt Lake City (for my wife and I to fly to my son's volleyball nationals), and yesterday Kayak found an American Airline deal (non-stop outbound, one stop return) for $300 that Travelocity or AA.com never showed. I was kicking myself later in the evening when I went back to try and purchase it and it was gone. But today Kayak found $250 fares on Northwest (not may carrier of choice, but I'll take it) that I booked.

[attgig]

yeap. and kayak will also find the multi-carrier itineraries as well.

[guiseppewv]

I def like kayak the best. Hands down. Sometimes I use farecompare.com (which uses the kayak engine) because they will search date ranges. The only problem with farecompare is that the prices are not always available even though they are listed. It wasn't always like that, though.

[attgig]

I def like kayak the best. Hands down. Sometimes I use farecompare.com (which uses the kayak engine) because they will search date ranges. The only problem with farecompare is that the prices are not always available even though they are listed. It wasn't always like that, though.
I agree. I subscribed to the farecompare newsletter. but everytime I see something good, I go on, and I have YET to find a fare that matches what their email alert has told me. It's really frustrating.

[gear02]

fyi Kayak and Sidestep merged so they use the same engine now, albeit different interfaces.

[ray]

Orbitz and Farecast.

[Maarchk]

Thanks all. Kayak is pretty awesome and i'm using the other ones for all my upcoming trips. Going to the GC, SF, and LV this summer. :)

Have a great summer peoples! And travel while its not a million dollars.

[guiseppewv]

Glad we could help! Kayak, IMHO, is the best! :)

[Maarchk]

kayak kicked some butt for me for grand canyon, vegas, and san francisco trips. :) Much appreciated.

[guiseppewv]

Hey, I have an idea: You should split the money you saved with us. :P ;)