Plans for FC'06 are go!

[slycat]

Since I registered in May for Further Confusion '06 as part of my commitment to going, I've not really taken many steps towards actually doing it.  My main reason for this is that I havn't got the money, I still don't.  However, I'm now down to £700 credit debt (with £200 in savings account) and that should be paid off in 2 months.  I spent much of the evening discussing our plans for FC with arakinuk and klepsydra such as flights and activities surrounding the con.

We've pretty much agreed to fly out to San Francisco on the 16th January, spend a few days there, get shopping done and maybe go to Alcatraz (if it's open that time of year) and then get a Greyhound coach to San Jose (which is a return journey cost of $10) for the con on the 19th.  Then on the 24th, get bus back and fly back from San Francisco.  This of course works out much cheaper and more convenient than flying to San Jose as San Jose isn't an international airport.

We spent a lot of time searching all the flight booking sites and it seems that the best offer I can get is £330 return with British Airways (plus £7 for an ITYC card) from STA Travel (although could get flight for £327 with United Airways, but I think I'd prefer BA).  Unfortunately, Arakin and Klepsie aren't under 26 so can't take advantage of STA's offer.  The best offer we seemed to find anywhere was for £344 with United Airways from Travelbag.  No sign of a decent British Airways flight.  The BA site shows the tickets as being £153 each way but the site breaks before it can add on taxes.  It seems that the taxes and fees come to around £60 so that would make a round flight approx £366.

This leads me to ask two questions if anyone can answer them; 1) Does anyone know of a magical site which gives lower prices than these (I'm certain I was getting prices more like £240 when I was searching in May... maybe those prices were without tax and now prices generally include tax... not sure) and 2) If we book flights seperately, can we still sit together if we check in together?

Comments

[theodor.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you about cheaper flights, but if you check in together and ask nicely, you should be able to sit together. This is of course assuming that the airline you travel with doesn't assign seats when you book. I know the BA don't sort that out until check-in, but easyjet assign you a seat from the outset.
With this in mind, I would suggest that you check in as soon as the desk opens so you can be sure, or use BA's 'eticket' system as soon as allowed. I don't fully understand the BA e-system but I would imagine it gives plenty of flexibility.

[footpad.livejournal.com]

... easyjet assign you a seat from the outset.

Wrong. EasyJet don't assign seats at all; they just pile all their passengers into the plane and let 'em sort it out.

I would decide which airline you want to travel with, then phone them up and ask for their advice.

[theodor.livejournal.com]

Oh.

Thats changed then.
Last time I flew with them, it was seat C3 or standing in the aisle holding on for dear life.

Hang on... maybe that wasn't easyjet... Oh pants.

It was an airline, they were infelxible pains in the arse, don't fly with them, whoever they were.

[footpad.livejournal.com]

...seat C3 or standing in the aisle...

That was probably the British rail system. :)

[theodor.livejournal.com]

Could have been, I get planes and trains mixed up so often...

[slycat.livejournal.com]

It's looking like we'll be flying United now but thanks for the advice. I always try to check in as soon as possible anyway :)

[slycat.livejournal.com]

Ah cool, that's reassuring. Have fun in the land of Oz btw :)

[nomadfox.livejournal.com]

I'm still ok to go for FC. Though I'll probably be taking United airlines mind.

As for prices going up, I think it gets a lil more expensive the longer you leave it (I think).
That and theres oil prices going up a bit.

Yea I have to sort out what I'm doing for that trip. Have you guys sorted yourselves hotels in San Fran around the time your staying there? o,o

[slycat.livejournal.com]

Are United any good? I got the impression they were rather cack...

We havn't sorted hotels in San Fran yet, havn't even sorted hotel at FC for myself. Hope to find some americans to room with as Arakin already has a room.

[nomadfox.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I flew them before with no problems, they had movies last time on their transatlantic flights. To be honest they're all the same to me. (apart from prices,obviously)

Right now I have noone to go with to FC. I think a couple of friends I know, crssafox and silverdark really want to go. But they're not sure if they can make it. If you do get your own room, can I gatecrash and help split costs? o,o

[slycat.livejournal.com]

Ah, fair enough. It'd be pretty cool for you to tag along. Are you on any instant messengers so I can discuss this in more realtime with you? (My IMs are listed in my LJ profile).

[nomadfox.livejournal.com]

Yea, I'm on aim as nomadicfoxuk, I'll try and get in contact!

[slycat.livejournal.com]

Added you :)

[porsupah.livejournal.com]

Mostly they're much of a muchness.. United's one of the very bland ones. Archetypical insomnia cure of an in-flight magazine, dull movie selections, but they wind up at the destination all the same. BA's food was a bit better than the average, but the one that's stood out has been Virgin Atlantic, with some really cool movie choices, and a 'zine worth taking away. But if you're flying with friends, that's less of a concern.

(Also, if it's of potential relevance, check what each option would cost if you decide you need to change dates. The airlines can vary quite a bit there, and even who it's booked through)

[slycat.livejournal.com]

I do enjoy Virgin, but going into SFO, they are like £100 more expensive than United. Even though I'm gadget mad and absolutely adore Virgin's on flight entertainment systems (on-demand movies!), I don't think that it's worth the extra cost. I've got a PSP, GBA, MP3s and company to keep me entertained for the trip at least :).

[klepsydra.livejournal.com]

Sweet Jeebus. BA site's fixed and the cheapest fare is £419.80!

[slycat.livejournal.com]

Yikes! I'm sure they'd budge on the price if you called them...

[klepsydra.livejournal.com]

I'd sooner just fly United. All these airlines are pretty much as bad as each other. Like train companies.

[slycat.livejournal.com]

Hmm, it is looking that way. Best I can get united for is £327 so probably best for me to book my own tickets and then hope we can sit together at check in.

[a-skunk.livejournal.com]

Ummm... San Jose *is* an international airport... but not very. They have one carrier fyling overseas, but not to the UK directly I think.

http://www.sjc.org/

[slycat.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, I stand corrected. I was just making assumptions as they don't fly direct to UK.