Multi Stop Flights help needed

[sjgill]

I'm trying to organise a trip next year which involves flying From Toronto to LA for a couple of weeks, then flying from LA to Kauai in Hawaii for 2 weeks, Back to LA for a week then back home to Toronto.

Has anyone booked a trip like this before? I've done trips with multiple stops but never anything like this. Not sure the best way to do it. I don't mind booking separate flights if I have to but going though one provider would mean less headaches in trying to organise things.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

[asdfvcx]

All of the big online travel sites offer multi-stop options. Sometimes they work well, and sometimes they don't. They aren't as reliable as when you are just checking for a simple trip. So sometimes it may be worthwhile to check in with a real world travel agent for complex trips, to see if they do any better, although many times they can't.


For example I went to expedia.ca and entered your trip with dates I just choose at random (Jan. 11, Jan. 24, Feb. 7, Feb. 14). It came up with 4 non-stop flights on American for $1130.

However, when I told it I only wanted to flight United, it then came up with a price of $1040. (3 non-stop flights, and the last one with a connection).

So by specifying that I only wanted to fly on a particular airline I actually got cheaper prices than my original search where I stated I would fly on any. The multi-stop search engines all seem to be a bit glitchy like this.



And if you want you can try to book a bunch of one way flights, and maybe come up with something cheaper. But as you already realize this can be quite a pain, so you'll have to decide if it's worth all of the effort for just a possibility of saving a few dollars.

[sjgill]

thanks for the tip. I just went through expedia and it's coming out with prices that I like. Next question.. United or American? Which is better for leg room (I'm 6'5" so need as much as possible ;) )

[asdfvcx]

Find out what type of planes the flights are on, and then check out http://www.seatguru.com/ to find out what the seat pitches are.

And check to see if you book directly with the airline's Canadian website (many American airlines have a Canadian website) if the price is cheaper. It will sometimes be a couple dollars cheaper than expedia.

[heymikey]

Which is better for leg room (I'm 6'5" so need as much as possible ;) )
First class in most airlines will suit your need. :)

[i6s1]

You can collect Aeroplan points on United, so from that angle, it can be a better choice for Canadians.

You can use ITA software to plan trips like this.

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch

It lets you search 1-ways over a month.

[bilibulu]

First class in most airlines will suit your need. :)
But most airlines don't have First class.;)

[sjgill]

But most airlines don't have First class.;)

neither does my wallet ;)

Thanks to everyone for their help on this. With booking with United you also have the option of other star alliance partners (such as Air Canada) for the same price as on Expedia :) so got some more favourable times for flights vs just on united.

After looking at VRBO I'm not sure I'll be staying in hotels again anytime soon :)

[yaldaren]

On United you would have the option of being seated in Economy Plus (for money plus). If you are travelling with someone it may be worth it for you to buy the annual E+ membership, if you are alone then check out the price for each segment.