Rusty Travelers

[Vaughn]

It's been over two years since we've traveled to Russia, and hope to visit next
spring. Preferred are April and/or May 2009, Charlotte (CLT) to SVO.

We're just asking for suggestions - where have YOU recently searched
(or bought) airline tickets? We usually start withTravelocity to establish a
benchmark, and then go from there.

Also, what about registration of my tourist visa? Any recent rules change?

Thanks,

Vaughn and Elvira

[kievstar]

Start with travelocity to find carrier with best cost.  Than go to that carriers web site or call them directly and you will get even lower on price.  Being flexible on start and end date helps too. 

[kryten41]

Lately I've been finding the best rates at orbitz.com and cheaptickets.com.  I've been looking at travel to Ukraine though. 

One thing to keep in mind if booking the trip with the ailines directly, is that you probably won't be able to get trip insurance to protect you if one of the multiple airlines changes a flight which causes you to miss another flight.  I had this happen 3 days before my last trip, and because I booked the entire trip through one site, I not only received an email telling me that there had been a major change to my itinerary, but the site (orbitz) was able to find me another flight on short notice that got me where I needed to be to catch my third flight on time.

[ConnerVT]

I still find this (ITA Software: Trip Planner) to be the best starting point to plan virtually any trip, domestic or international.  It is a great tool for finding what are the lowest fares across almost every airline.  I use the month at a time view, especially when my travel dates are flexible.

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

After you find the flights and fares you want, I then go straight to the airlines web page, as most will give you a discount (well, not charge you extra) if you buy directly from your computer, eliminating their cost of human intervention.

The above site is also good, as it breaks down the TOTAL cost of the ticket (fees, taxes, etc.) that some of the travel web sites don't show you until you are in the checkout stage of buying your ticket.

A few things to keep in mind:

-- The cheapest ticket isn't always the best.  Some will show you connections that are virtually impossible to keep.  Remember to account for Passport Control, Customs, flight delays, etc.

-- Some connections they show you aren't at the same airport.  This happens in London and NYC that I know of off the top of my head.  Trust me, avoid these!

-- Try to stick with the same airline (or code share) if at all possible.  If you buy separate tickets for each leg of your travel, the airline isn't responsible if you miss your connection.  If they lose your luggage going from (for example) Houston to NYC, they won't make sure it gets to you in the FSU.  You also are on the hook for checked luggage fees on the domestic portions of your flights (first and second bag charges, depending on the airline).  Being checked all the way through, from start to destination, may be worth a few bucks for the peace of mind.

[Vaughn]

Orbitz comes in within a dime of Travelocity. Booking with Delta directly
saves a little, at least for today. Tomorrow never knows.

Yeah, Conner, I've done the Heathrow-Gatwick switch once and JFK-LGA
many times. Not fun, especially if avoidable.

We eliminate flights based on their SVO arrival time, and so search those
only that arrive to suit our train connection. So far those are Delta and Aerolflot.

I'll check out that ITA link, and thanks to all.

[UTRO]

Cheapoair.com
Flightnetwork.com
Vayama.com
Mobissimo.com

Aeroflot.com (leaving JFK)
Finnair.com (leaving JFK)
Airfrance.com (leaving JFK)

[Faux Pas]

American Airlines has a very reasonable priced direct flight from Chicago O'hare to Moscow DME

[GoodOlBoy]

I just booked a flight for my wife to Omsk from Miami. I checked several, but Vayama.com and Delta.com were the cheapest (as of last week). Inside Russia, Aeroflop(t) was cheaper than S2 and the rest. Give my regards to Vladimir (Putin) and have a good flight!!