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

[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 :).