Heading Over? My Thoughts on Cheap Airfares

[MarkInTx]

Again, this is simply my opinion... but if you are considering going over, book your travel with care.

My itinerary was 100% better for my latest trip.

When I went to Russia, I got a “cheap” airfare on LOT airlines.

However, I think we need to redefine cheap.

Let’s face it, the single most expensive item on your trip is NOT your airfare.

It is your time.

I cannot stress this enough. You have a very finite amount of time that you can stay over there. As a rule of thumb, do this: Calculate what you get paid for a day. Triple it. (Once for every week of vacation you get…)  That’s what one day of your time is worth when you are in Russia. Divide it by twelve. (You have to sleep). Now you have what one hour of your time is worth.

Now, look at your airfare. Is your itinerary the most time efficient? How many hours is it wasting? Is that cheap ticket worth it?

Let me walk though my St. Petersburg via LOT airlines experience…

The cheap airfare was only good from Chicago or New York. Being geographically challenged, I decided to leave from Chicago. (And then watched in disgust as the plane flew right over New York. I had added 2 hours to my trip!)

But, we were delayed for two hours in Chicago before we left. Then we were put on a small plane (for an intercontinental trip, it was small) with limited overheard space. I ended up sitting with the large duffel bag at my feet for the whole trip.

They fed us well (I will say that). But for entertainment, it was the standard “one movie per flight” fare. (You found your translation on the headphones, so at least it wasn’t dubbed.) After the movie, they played “TV shows.” If you enjoy watching foreign music videos, you would have loved it. I was bored out of my mind.

The flight was twelve hours.

We land in Poland. We were two hours late. (Of course).

Unfortunately, LOT had ONE plane that went to St. Petersburg a day, and guess who missed it (because of their delay!) So, now I get a day in Poland. Except, of course, I don’t have a Visa, I have no guide, no translator, and no idea what to do. So, I get to spend the whole day in a hotel near the airport. And, believe me, there was no swimming pool, sauna, or Gym there. TV in the room had only two English channels: both BBC news services.

I have heard Warsaw is a beautiful city, and I am sure when I go back there for my fiancé interview, Victoria and I will enjoy it.

But it is no place you want to waste a day of your valuable time, which you had hoped to spend with a pretty young woman!

So… how cheap WAS the LOT airfare? In retrospect, it was far too expensive. Though, to be honest, the only reason I went to St. Petersburg in the first pace was that LOT Airlines offered a $400 fare, and that seemed too good to pass up.  So, at least it got me “off of start” and on the plane. But, looking back now, I wish I had made different arrangements.

This time, I flew on American Airlines, which is hige for me, because I am a frequent flyer on AA. (Platinum Status). I got a good seat on a 777. I could store my carryon with no problem (because I boarded first.) In the seat is a TV screen with 10 channels. (Four movies.)

I also had a power supply under my seat, so I could run my computer and portable DVD player the whole trip. Frankly, I didn't even need my portable DVD player.

We land in Gatwick, London. I am now three hours from my destination -- but everyone speaks English here! Even if I HAD gotten stranded for a day here, I could have easily found something to do in London, without needing a guide.

There is an Admiral's Club where I can wait and help myself to drinks and snacks.

The flight to Ukraine on Ukraine International is not bad. No power or movies, but it is only about three hours, which is not bad.

Everything runs without a hitch. In Kiev, I am whisked through Passport Control via a VIP service, and I am at the apartment and in the arms of my Victoria right on schedule.

Summary: Priceless

The price difference between the two? Even BEFORE I take my time into consideration, the difference in airfare was only about $100 dollars or so (don't forget, I had to buy my own ticket to Chicago as well...) When you add the time and over all convenience, its not even close.

FWIW...

[KenC]

... in response to Heading Over? My Thoughts on Cheap Airfa..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 4, 2002

Mark,
On my first trip to Russia I was "forced" to spend a night in Amsterdam!  I met a cool guy from Alaska on the plane and we explored the city.  We had fun.  We made our flights the next day.  That is about ALL the details I wish to post.  LOL.  Take care.
KenC

[snowwego]

... in response to Heading Over? My Thoughts on Cheap Airfa..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 4, 2002

as far as cheap air fare go I live not from the ny airports. I have searched all the web sites and expieda, orbitz and travel select. The best thing you could do is try to going through different cities and destination points. I got around trip for 540 and one for 890 but I had good flights each time and each time I took a different route.

[MNKenr]

... in response to Heading Over? My Thoughts on Cheap Airfa..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 4, 2002

Mark my last trip I missed the flight out of Odessa to Warsaw. (not my fault but not the point of this message). I had to take the next days flight, but I had to wait a day in Warsaaw to fly to Chicago. I arrive in Warsaw in the afternoon with my flight not leaving until the next morning. I had to get a hotel on my own. $40 hotel 5 minutes away from the airport.

There I was in my hotel room not knowing a word of English. I decided I was going to tour Warsaw for a night. I found a hotel worker that spoke english (a good number of Polish people speak english I found out). I got a map to the city, I purchased a bus pass. I went to the bus stop and waited for the bus I needed (as outlined on the map I recieved. I take the bus to the old town part of Warsaw. I was worried I would missed the stop not understanding the language, but I paid attention to signs etc. They use latin letters so you can at least read polish with little problem.

I got off the bus and walked around and explored. I purchased some pastries. I ate a nice dinenr. I even was able to take the bus back to the hotel. The next day I took a different bus right to the airport.

I was in the same situation as you. I had a day layover in Warsaw. I decided I had nothing better to do so I explored the city a little. Many people speak english. The bus system is great. I look back and I am glad I had the layover. I was able to explore a city I would have never done so before. I guess it all depends on how adventuring you are.

If you are ever stuck in Warsaw again, just get a hold of a map and do some sightseeing. It is not as difficult as you think.

MNKen

[hilton]

... in response to Heading Over? My Thoughts on Cheap Airfa..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 4, 2002

Mark,

What did you find was the difference between latin women, in Cali, and the women of Russia?

I know, at one point you were interested, according to your 'past' bio, in latin women.

If you don't want to say, on this board, then go ahead and email me.

Thanks bud,

Hilton
P.S...I'm back in the states now, getting the Fiance Visa papers ready.  I am engaged to the most beautiful women in the world.  Hoda told me, with my high standards, that I would meet the women I wanted.  And, he wasn't lying neither.  I used Latin Encounters as my vehicle, but stayed at a hotel.  Due to all the barking on these boards, I have resisted giving out 'any' information about my trips.  I have found what I was looking for and now, it's time to move on with life.