Site of the Moment - www.AirfareWatchdog.com

AirTran has a new sale for travel through February 10, which includes some pretty snazzy fares to their most recent destination, Key West. Of course if Key West isn't your thing (really?), there are plenty of other cities included in the sale.


It's been a while since we've come across a sale as good as today's 4th Quarter Sale from Southwest! Fares start at $25 one-way for flights of up to 374 miles, $50 one-way for flights from 375 to 549 miles, $75 one-way for 550 to 999 miles, and $100 one-way for 1000 miles or more. Sale ends October 29, so don't miss out.


New from Frontier: Their Spooktacular Savings sale is good for off-peak travel, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, through December 16. More info here.


Tired of your neighbor's homemade popcorn balls every Halloween? So are we. Grab your trick-or-treat bag and skip town. Virgin America has an amazing sale for travel only on October 30 and 31. Fares start at $31 one-way, with coast-to-coast fares going for $62 one-way. Purchase by 11:59pm, October 29.

Planet Hollywood Travel Deal

My friend sent me a link to this travel deal on TravelZoo. Man, that certainly is a deal huh?
http://hotels.travelzoo.com/las-vegas-hotels/594371

Louisiana Bound

I am headed to New Orleans, LA and then Lafayette, LA tomorrow for my nephew's first birthday, (...which is actually today.) and then to see my mom on Sunday.

I'll work all day on Friday, leave the office and go to LAS. I'll fly into MSY and drive to my parents house. I will leave with my dad (...a three hour car ride with my dad. Uh-oh.) and spend Saturday with my brother, his wife and my nephew for his birthday. We will stay in Lafayette, LA on Saturday and in drive back to New Orleans and then I will spend time with my momita (I so just made that word up.) on Sunday and fly back to Las Vegas on Monday.

It's so hard to believe my younger brother is a father and I am still acting like a child myself.

I was looking for every excuse not to go since I have had such a busy travel schedule but my friend that I spent some time with yesterday made a few good points and convinced me to do it.
I booked the flight, a rental car and hotel in Lafayette today and will head to join my family for the momentous occasion.

My mom's health is is such bad shape, she's not going to Lafayette, but when I get back from Saturday, I will spend Sunday with her and come back to Las Vegas on Monday afternoon.
I want to spend some time with her at my parent's home, and I hope it goes well.

Next weekend I'll be in Orlando for GayDays.
The weekend after that I will be in Pittsburgh for Pride there.
The weekend after that is New York Pride but I am planning on being in St. Petersburg at this point.
The past 5 to 6 weekends have been travel too, so it's been busy, but a fun ride I tell you.

Allegiant Air $15.00 Sale

JimyVR IM'ed me and told me about a sale that Allegiant Air is having from LAX to a few obscure, I'm sorry, "secondary" cities for only $15.00 each way. (Thanks, Jimy!)

You can find out more and if it could work into your travel plans at http://www.allegiantair.com/aaLanding20090415_TAXDAYSALE.php but you have to do it by 6:00pm today.

I looked at a few days that we could all go to Springfield-Branson, MO, but we can't all go, so it's going to take some more coordination if we want to do that.

I might just look at some dates and go to Grand Junction, CO by myself for the weekend in May. ...that's cool.

...even with the "extras" it's still a steal.

Site of the Moment - www.FlightNetwork.com

Howard sent me this link to a new travel website that you can find online at www.FlightNetwork.com.

Upon a quick search today for a flight to the HustlaBall London, I found an insane $247.00 flight round trip. (It is in Canadian dollars for some reason, but man, that's $203.00 in United States dollars.)
It's a little deceiving because when I went to actually book it, the price was listed as
Adult Fare: 1x$247.12
Adult Tax: 1x$475.68
Total: $722.80 CAD
...so that sucks, but keep an eye on that site for more low fares when searching for travel.

Fly to Mars

Check out this April Fool's Day joke on www.Expedia.com. http://www.expedia.com/daily/mars/flights-to-mars/?mcicid=Mars_home_us The cool parti s if you go through each step, you can save $25.00 on a real booking for what the website reads as, "...in recognition of your enterprising spirit." ...that's hot.

Southwest Airlines Coupon

I totally love this Southwest Airlines coupon advertisement I came across.
...that's brilliant.

Travel to the Escort Awards

Take a look at this ad that is in New York's HX Magazine for the escort awards that are going to be held on Saturday, March 20th in New York City at Splash.

Check out www.rentboy.com/awards for more information on that and to vote for your favorite escort.

One of the most non-escorting escorts I know, Angel Benton is going to host the red carpet and add his signature to the event.

I booked my flight and Angel Benton's flight (I still have a few more flights to go.) this week and each flight was under $250.00 round-trip. ...that's a nice change from month ago.
I booked mine on JetBlue departing on the 18th on a direct flight for like $235.00. Angel's is also on a direct flight on American booked on Priceline for $250.00 total.

Since I am mentioning on the topic and mentioning flights, we booked my London flight for the HustlaBall London as well this week and can you believe that round trip on Continental it was only $552.00 with taxes and fees, $403.00 without. If you are thinking about London, the flights are less than half of what they were last year. *whew*

...for more on New York and the Hookies, we found a great hotel deal on www.hotels.com at the Radisson Martinique on Broadway for only $82.45 per night including taxes. Fierce.
I originally booked at the Four Points in SoHo at $169.00 a night and thought that was good. ...at this point, they are not being too helpful on refunding the charge. ARGH!

Flight Attendant

Howard sent me this article a few weeks back that is actually a little useful. It's titled "15 Things a Flight Attendant Doesn't Want to Hear." I can totally understand even though I may be at fault for a few of those. Yike.

Can you believe there is video game called "First Class Flurry" where you can be a flight attendant? Fierce.
The story goes like this: "Starlink Airlines has gone bankrupt. After learning she's jobless, Claire has a serious panic attack - that is, until the phone rings. The new owner of Starlink Airlines wants to rebuild the business by hiring top talent. Claire might be a little rusty as a flight attendant - help her back into the groove by serving coffee promptly to passengers. Fly in First Class Flurry as a star attendant in this Time Management destination game."

Delayed Travel Plans - No Voucher

I was excited that I didn't have to buy a ticket home to New Orleans this year. I used a voucher that I had when I made the reservation on December 4th.
I have quite a few airline miles and other accumulated air travel certificates that I am starting to use up by myself or otherwise after hoarding them for so long and then seeing some of the airlines go under. I noticed that I had some credits that actually expired and I didn't even use them, that's a total waste and I can't believe I let that much time, effort and money go to waste by simply not using them.

When I arrived at the airport this morning and went to check in using a kiosk and expecting to breeze though with no checked luggage, I thought it was an on cue morning.
...not so much.
When I could not find my reservation using the electronic system that I can call a friend these days, I thought, "Oh shit, maybe I am too late."
...not so much.
It seems I needed to come to the airport and turn in some physical ticketing vouchers when I made the reservation in early December. Now that someone explained it to me today, it totally makes sense. The value of the ticket is in the paper voucher that I have, not in an e-ticket. When they didn't receive the voucher on December 5th, the day after I made the reservation on the phone, they canceled the reservation.
I didn't even know what she was asking for, but I kept all the ticketing paperwork from the flight that I was re-booking in a file and handed her the entire file and she found what she was looking for. The single piece of paper that carried at least a $430.00 value back on the 4th of December and caused me to lose this seat was right there as pristine as the day it came out of the thermal printer.
The customer service agent was very nice and told me that there were no flights, they are all overbooked though both hubs and frankly, it looks impossible to get me on any flight, paid or not. She wasn't mean, but she was firm as she said, "You will not be able to use this voucher for another 14 days, so if I can find anything, you are going to have to pay for it." I was ready to until she spent about 10 minutes looking around and said, "I don't have any alternatives for you or what to tell you. Flights are so oversold, it's not even funny. I think all the other airlines are in the same situation." as she also told me good luck and she didn't know what else to tell me.
I went to call the 800 number and after 11 minutes of hold time and 4 minutes of explaining, the guy on the other end said he can get a supervisor to waive the 14 day advance rule and get me on a flight that goes out the night of the 25th from LAX and arrives on the 26th in the morning.
However, my flight that I have scheduled around work is set to depart New Orleans on the 27th in the morning.
...that means, I get a whole 18 hours and 54 minutes in New Orleans from touchdown to takeoff.

I did confirm that flight just in case, but that seems a bit of a waste of time. While my family is never a waste of time in any case, and this is frustrating, it is what it is and I screaming and causing a fit is not going to create a seat for me. (...and I bet other people have a million other reasons why they need to be with family as well.)
I am a little upset at myself for messing up yet another flight, but considering how many flights I book for myself and my friends as well as work, I would say my record is not as bad as I make it seem.
I am a tad frustrated that I could not talk my way into what I wanted this time. I am not used that. ARGH! What's more is that this time, it was the central reservations who went further to help me. Almost 90% of the time, I have better luck when I deal with someone I am standing in front of at the counter. I can usually pull most things off at the counter.
I am most upset and sad that I think I am going to disappoint my parents. ...that sucks. Plus, my dad was just saying how I really need to start paying more attention to things like flights. I think the last three years in a row, I have fucked up flights at the holidays. I haven't talked to him yet, I texted him and said call me when you wake up. I don't want to wake him up with this mess. He isn't expecting me until late tonight anyway. I'll keep you updated on that when it happens. (Check Twitter as it's easier and quicker to update.) I feel so awful about that part though. *sigh*

I am at the hotel I got last night for $40.00 on Priceline so that I didn't miss the flight checking on some more options online before I head back home or into the office.

Soul Plane

Captain Mack: This is your soul plane chauffeur Captain Antoine Mack speaking. Welcome aboard NWA flight 069 from the 310 to the 212. It's time to bust this coney y'all. In a hot second, I'll be hittin' them switches and gettin' this bitch pumpin' and jumpin'. So screw your sh*t on tight and enjoy the flight.

I caught part of the movie "Soul Plane" the other day in Detroit at the hotel before Lisa and I went to sleep. It cracks me up. I am hereby adding it to my "NetFlix" Queue.
Here is the trailer...for the movie, not the plane. *wink*


Here are some funny clips.


I blogged safety videos for planes the other day, however, I can't believe I forgot THIS one from "Soul Plane". *wink*

How'd they do that with "Survivor" from Beyonce Knowles? I checked the soundtrack credits and it looks pretty real.

Check out the official movie site at www.soulplane.com and the IMBD record at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367085/.
Don't miss Mo'Nique, she's hilarious.

Holiday Travel

USA Today talks about airline cutbacks and a much different travel season this holiday. It's going more costly. CLICK HERE to find out what I mean. MSNBC has THESE holiday travel tips that are frankly no brainers if you ask me. (...those are all links to news stories, not just a festive reminder of what's right around the corner.)

I want juice, I want back doors, (Imagine that.) I want secrets and deals that feel like steals. I want stuff that might just get me on the naughty list for sharing. I got my Detroit ticket and frankly, I didn't get a steal there. (You can't win them all, right?) Rusty found some Detroit tickets for $88.00 each way while I paid $524.00 for both Lisa's and my own. Now I am on the search for a New Orleans ticket to go home for the actual Christmas days. My birthday is December 23 and I am thinking I would like to go to DisneyLand that day, so it's the 24th I would fly out and that day is looking pretty inexpensive. Last year, I flew all day on my birthday. If I make it that long this year, I don't want to do that again.

Airline Security on Sesame Street

I know airline security is no joking matter, but just like a first grader, it is sometimes easier for me to remember things when I can relate them to something else.

I hope we don't have to go Elmo anytime soon. (I think the country has only gone Elmo once and it's wasn't exactly a tickling matter.)

Google Flight Status

I used Google Mobile on my PocketPC to check the flight status of Dustin's flight when he was arriving and I didn't hear from him when he landed.
It worked beautifully and it was as simple as typing the airline, the word "flight" and the flight number.
The results looks like this and was super helpful to have in my hand.
"Thanks Google, as you take over the world, I am glad to know information is so easy to obtain."

Now I just need to find a website that will tell me when flights I am expecting are late via SMS.

Site of the Moment - Priceline & BiddingForTravel

I have really good luck with Priceline.com. ook at this flight record. The ones with green check marks are the ones that were accepted. You should see my hotel record, it's twice as many total records and looks similar.

I might be overbidding if all my records are winners huh? Hummmmm?

I think it was Jason Carter who told me about www.biddingfortravel.com. It's a site to use in conjunction with Priceline where it shows you what other people are bidding and winning so you can bid a little less. It also shows what hotels, flights, and cars as well as other travel items people can get, so you know what MIGHT happen. Thanks for that Jason.

Detroit Bound

I am Detroit bound. ...in the middle of winter nonetheless. I booked Lisa and I a trip to see my family in Detroit in early December. Most of my family besides my mother, father and brother, live in Michigan still, so I am going to see them before the holidays.

I always try to use different clip art for each post, but I really like this Detroit image.

It's going to be a quick trip and wasn't exactly the cheapest at $528.00 for both tickets on www.Priceline.com, but I want to go. (...Lisa is priceless anyway.)
I will get to show her some of the Christmas in New Center, downtown Detroit (...what's left of it.) and some of the Motor City casinos. (She works in that industry, so that might be cool for her.)

I have a "thing" for abandoned buildings and always enjoy a quick drive around Detroit to look at the splendor that used to be. D-town has some of the best abandoned buildings I have ever seen in any city. The "Detroit Decay" beautiful in it's own right.

Having grown up there, my plan is to stay at a suburban hotel near my grandfather's hospital one night with my dad's side of the family, then visit my mom's side of the family at my aunt's house in the boonies one day. The last night, I sincerely want to stay downtown at an fancy hotel with Lisa and have a totally faux feeling of serenity at the kick-off of Christmas time in Detroit.

Los Angeles to New Orleans

$112.00, one way, Los Angeles cities to New Orleans. The deal that isn't THAT good of a deal to travel from Burbank to New Orleans, but is worth noting.
...for much less than I spend some nights going out, I could be going out at home in New Orleans. Interesting when I think if it like that. Last week, I could have taken 8.33 people on with me on a one way trip for what I spent at the bar.

I checked Southwest Airlines and came up with the left grid.

However, in general, I have found better deals using www.priceline.com.

As I have in the past, Continental has offered some of the lowest rates on www.sidestep.com and when searching outside the 14 days of the usual advance booking restriction, I found $271 for the lowest rate one way.

It is much better to depart from a smaller airport like Burbank in my own opinion, I have less wait time, quicker movement, less parking hassles, etc. however, it's not as easy to find "Deals" from the small airports. What do other people have to say about it? Find out in one forum on small airports versus large airports HERE.

Travel Tips - Finding Cheap Tickets

Don't thank me, thank Howard (...who writes about half of my blog.) and AOL for this tip and article.
http://information.travel.aol.com/news-and-tips/find-cheap-flights

Buy During Cheapest Times Of The Day

Airfares change three times a day as airlines periodically lower prices to fill up flights, and the early bird gets the worm, according to Hobica. "Early morning is the time to buy." he says, recommending that flyers check fares every five hours to try and snag a deal. On the weekend, the best time to check is early Saturday morning and again at 5PM, when the industry is most aggressively trying to fill seats, he says.

Orlando for under $500.00

I am a little tempted to take a quick trip to Orlando.

...for all practical purposes I say, "Lead me not into temptation. I can find it myself."

I came across these amazing deals on www.TravelZoo.com

and can travel with some flexibility on weekdays for under $500.00.

$29.99 -- Orlando Hotel w/Breakfast, into December http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/22147980-466130/

Source: Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista

$150-$200 -- Fly to Orlando from the West Coast (Roundtrip) http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/22147980-467247/

Source: Orbitz

I also have www.tripwhore.com, I should do something with that website and do a couple of insanely inexpensive, quick trips a year that ridiculous and we barely make it through. (I even made a graphic for that website that I won't do anything with for months. Great.)

I want to have a unofficial travel club of friends and fun guys that we go on cheap, quick trips and laugh at the photos for years.

Eye-ing London

THIS deal makes me want to go back to London.
Granted, it's no 8 cent fare to Guatemala, but it's still a good deal and I had fun in London. (...and I'd like to have more fun when I don't have to work most of the time.)