Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LAS14

(13,749 posts)
Fri Nov 8, 2019, 01:26 PM Nov 2019

Is there an optimum length of stay when looking for air fare deals?

Now that we're retired we can wait until "a deal" shows up to go to, say, Hawaii. I'd like to know what length of stay to specify to increase my chances of finding a good price. Is there such a thing as optimum length of stay?

tia
las

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Is there an optimum length of stay when looking for air fare deals? (Original Post) LAS14 Nov 2019 OP
Flying Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday flights helps fill the airlines weekday seats Submariner Nov 2019 #1
Length of stay is irrelevant I believe, just the day of the week, whether you stay a week or a year. Eliot Rosewater Nov 2019 #2
We've been a few times before and Kauai is hands down my favorite, but... LAS14 Nov 2019 #5
aloha Eliot Rosewater Nov 2019 #6
I stayed in Poipu the only time I was on Kaua'i DFW Nov 2019 #15
Sheraton before the Hurricane years ago, room was steps from the beach, wow Eliot Rosewater Nov 2019 #18
The place was immense, but all was forgotten when we got down to the water DFW Nov 2019 #19
what date range are you flying and from where to where? CurtEastPoint Nov 2019 #3
Anytime in Jan, Feb or March, from Logan or Manchester N.H. LAS14 Nov 2019 #4
and going to..........? CurtEastPoint Nov 2019 #7
to HNL? Just random checking via Expedia in Jan/Feb/Mar CurtEastPoint Nov 2019 #8
Good to know how to judge. Thanks! Going to Hilo. nt LAS14 Nov 2019 #10
It may be cheaper to fly to HNL then book a sep. flight than all the way to Hilo. You'll have to CurtEastPoint Nov 2019 #11
We always flew into Kona DFW Nov 2019 #16
Thanks to all. I'm planning our trip to leave on a Wednesday and return on a Tuesday. nt LAS14 Nov 2019 #9
Many times buying a round trip ticket doesn't save you any Major Nikon Nov 2019 #12
Here's another tip Major Nikon Nov 2019 #13
thanks! LAS14 Nov 2019 #14
The airline websites have tools to help with this Shrek Nov 2019 #17
Ohh!! Neat! LAS14 Nov 2019 #20

Submariner

(12,485 posts)
1. Flying Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday flights helps fill the airlines weekday seats
Fri Nov 8, 2019, 01:34 PM
Nov 2019

and appear to offer the best cost deals. I have not heard of an optimum stay period.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,097 posts)
2. Length of stay is irrelevant I believe, just the day of the week, whether you stay a week or a year.
Fri Nov 8, 2019, 01:44 PM
Nov 2019

The other poster mentioned days that usually are cheaper.

Check Hawaiian Airlines by the way.

I have United miles and would use them up but anytime I compare fares Hawaiian is cheaper, but they may not fly out of where you are.
Dont tell me where you are...LOL, not safe to do that.

We love Maui. Our family has an amazing history there.

Kauai is crazy beautiful and if you go there ONLY go to Poipu Beach area as in where to stay.

LAS14

(13,749 posts)
5. We've been a few times before and Kauai is hands down my favorite, but...
Fri Nov 8, 2019, 03:24 PM
Nov 2019

...this time we're going to The Big Island.

DFW

(54,057 posts)
15. I stayed in Poipu the only time I was on Kaua'i
Sat Nov 9, 2019, 06:36 AM
Nov 2019

We loved it there, never even got up to see Princeville. The helicopter ride down the Waimea Canyon and along the Na Pali Coast was one of the most memorable rides I have ever been on.

DFW

(54,057 posts)
19. The place was immense, but all was forgotten when we got down to the water
Sat Nov 9, 2019, 03:10 PM
Nov 2019

If I ever get back to Kaua'i, I'd prefer to stay in someplace less monolithic.

The most wonderful hotel we've ever stayed at was the Mauna Lani on the Big Island. Not the most luxurious or the fanciest, but its understated simplicity and optical beauty were not to be topped. The breakfast was number one in the world, and their fancy dancy restaurant, the Canoe House, was one of the few where the food was as spectacular as the view. Plus, the bay for snorkling was better than almost any aquarium.

CurtEastPoint

(18,553 posts)
8. to HNL? Just random checking via Expedia in Jan/Feb/Mar
Fri Nov 8, 2019, 04:58 PM
Nov 2019

fares for RT from BOS to HNL are in the 5oo range. You cannot beat that fare!

CurtEastPoint

(18,553 posts)
11. It may be cheaper to fly to HNL then book a sep. flight than all the way to Hilo. You'll have to
Fri Nov 8, 2019, 08:12 PM
Nov 2019

investigate.

Eh... just compared and it may be cheaper to book through to Hilo. Good luck. Aloha!

DFW

(54,057 posts)
16. We always flew into Kona
Sat Nov 9, 2019, 06:45 AM
Nov 2019

It was closer to our daughter's school. Her roommate was from South Kona. Her school was up the Kohala coast, up Kohala Mountain Road from Hawai'i Kai. They used to swim either at Hapuna or Mau Mae. We usually stayed in Waikoloa, as the accommodations in Kamuela (Waimea), where her school was, were primitive at best. Hilo gets more rain, and the botanical gardens were spectacular, but the Kona side just seemed more pleasant. Of course, if you are going to pay Madame Pele a visit at Kilauea, Hilo is as convenient as any place else to fly into.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
12. Many times buying a round trip ticket doesn't save you any
Fri Nov 8, 2019, 09:01 PM
Nov 2019

The round trip price will often be equal to the one-way tickets added together.

Because of this I will often search multiple airlines for the one way ticket prices. Sometimes you can save money that way.

Just make sure you consider baggage and other fees into consideration as that is apples and oranges between carriers.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
13. Here's another tip
Fri Nov 8, 2019, 09:16 PM
Nov 2019

Southwest Airlines runs a promotion where they give you around 40-50,000 points if you sign up for their credit card and charge $1,000 on the card over a 3month period. I sign up both my wife and I for our own cards. Once I get the points I cancel the cards. Then I do it all over again the next year or as soon as they will let me.

I have to pay an annual fee of $69 for the card, but the amount is way less than what the points are worth.

40,000 points should be enough to get you to Hawaii and back provided SWA serves your area.

Shrek

(3,970 posts)
17. The airline websites have tools to help with this
Sat Nov 9, 2019, 12:10 PM
Nov 2019

For example, on Delta I can choose the Price Calendar option and it'll give me a five-week grid with a specific price for any given combination of departure date and stay duration.

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Is there an optimum lengt...