airfare/hotel/car - what has been your experience with a package?  

Thanks! I don't mind paying a half fare, I just don't feel that I should have to pay the same fare as I do for me and my husband. I have been researching the internet deals and trying to find something reasonable. We are visiting my sister for her wedding, and we need to include budgeting for whatever meals we will be having on our own. We don't want to impose on anybody and we also want to be able to get around on our own timetable, which is why we need a hotel and car. I'm hoping that getting this dealt with early will be a good decision vs waiting as some people do to see if they can get a 'last minute' rate.

Depends on where you are going really. So lets deal with one thing at a time. I am what they call a road warrior, meaning I travel on average 40 weeks + out of the year. I have been doing this for better than 15 years so I can honestly say that I know a few things about the process. The following are a few hints learned from hard experience.

In this day and age of higher fuel costs air fares are going up. Not all airlines are offering "child" fares anymore. The child takes the same seat and many airlines are charging the same fare. No airline will allow you to sit a four year old on your lap, the rule is two and under. Check around for who is discounting.

This is just my suggestion for traveling with young children, fly direct if possible. It will be so much easier on you. Running through airports to catch a connection. Long waits if you miss a connection. Bad food, and all the other things that are currently part of the travel day just aren't worth it if they can be avoided.

Many airlines offer different ticket levels that are still considered "full fare". This means that you could purchase non-refundable tickets that cost $200 one-way for the same flight and seat that costs $700. I always check the actual airlines after I check the discounters. If you know that your travel plans aren't going to change go with the non-refundable. Keep in mind that just because they are non-refundable doesn't mean they can't be used at a later date if something unforeseen happens. They can also be changed for a fee if you really have to change your plans, but the fee is usually pretty steep.

Keep in mind that nearly all airlines are over-booking these days so do not try for the stand-by tickets, chances are you will not get on the plane!

There might be some savings to a package, however there are usually better savings to be had if you just to a little searching a planning ahead. Are you a member of AAA? If so you probably already have discounts that you aren't aware of. Depending on where you are going for you mini-vaca you might have access to some great places to stay that will give you some meals for free already. No package needed. Look for hotels that offer buffet breakfast - places like LaQuinta are pretty good bets usually and many of them are newer. Then there are some of the extended stay hotels that offer buffets and mini-kitchens as well. Both these options will usually be between $65-$100 per night and some will even be small suites providing you a bit of privacy.

You asked about packages, I never go that route as I travel so much I can make the arrangements easily on my own. Many of the airline sites will give you the option to book the hotel and car directly from their site. If you are a member of AAA, or like me AARP you can find great discounts. Expedia or any of the other discounters of course can also usually help you to find deals, without booking a package. Just set your criteria.

Thank you, Ivaldean =) I have only purchased airline tickets myself a handful of times. I flew with my daughter in 2004 when she was 6 months old and I believe that was not a direct flight, I had a layover for about an hour. I did check the carseat and stroller at the gate, and since she still used an infant seat at that time, it made it easy for me, the seat snapped into the travel stroller and I had a carry space underneath for the car base and diaper bag.

I am hoping she doesn't have trouble on the plane, she doesn't remember flying and these days she has trouble staying still for hours without some sort of entertainment. My thought is we will get 3 seats together and put her by the window so in order for her to get out, she'd have to crawl over and get away from both me and hubby, and that won't be happening in such a small enclosed space!

I doubt we will have to change our travel times after we purchase the tickets, we are looking at a pretty small timeframe, basically Sept 4th-7th. The occasion we are attending is a wedding, and it's back where I grew up, so I want a little time to show my husband and daughter around the area. I haven't been there in 4 years but I lived there for 23 years prior, went to school there, etc. My birthday is the 8th and I want to be back home (here) for my birthday =)

We have AAA and am hoping that we can finagle some discounts with it. Even if it is not much, if we can get a discount on the airfare, a discount on the hotel, AND a discount for the car, it'll help in the long run. I have been checking hotels that offer free breakfast, wifi or internet, and a fitness center/pool, although I know as a gym member that most gyms will allow a traveler a pass for a nominal fee.

I still have a little while to look at options before we need to make a decision, so I suppose my goal is just to find the best deals - lowest prices for exactly what we need. Thanks again for such an informative post

Thank you! This'll be only the third 'vacation' I have taken in my adult life lol. My first one was my honeymoon (taken before I got married actually), the second one was when I flew to visit family with my daughter when she was 6 months old. This one will be both me and my husband plus our daughter, I'm looking forward to it.

I used a travel agent only once, and it was for amtrak tickets/hotel. Since it was about 14 years ago, I don't even remember what I spent or how good of a deal it really was. My husband is pretty good at tracking and finding a good deal, but I will mention using a travel agent to him and see if maybe we can at least check one out to see if they can get us a better deal.

Greedy turds! I flew alone several times as a kid and it's a shame I no longer have the tickets because then I could go see what the going rate was for airfare 25+ years ago lol. I realize that gas is more expensive and they do not include meals and now they charge for checked baggage, but they should give a traveler a break somewhere!