Should I book 1-800-flyeurope $644 LAX to Rome?

Travelzoo emailed about a winter airfare sale to Europe yesterday. Must depart before March 31, 2007 -- but no exclusions on the return. The base fare is $382 + $262 Taxes/FuelSurcharges = $644 per ticket flying out on a Friday night, returning on a Monday. (Saturday return $100/ticket more, and Sunday not available.)

Anyone ever booked thru 1-800-flyEurope? It looks like they are connected with "autoeurope.com" from their email address. The airline carrier is SWISS AIR, which is actually a nice flight since we can leave the west coast in the evening and fly non-stop to Zurich and get lots of sleep. Then, a short hop from Zurich to Rome. No changing planes in at JFK or Philly like when we fly the US carriers.

It's such a crap shoot trying to figure out if the fares are going to go any lower. On one hand, it is still a little early for the winter sales. But on the other hand, $644 may not be exciting for an EAST coast fare, but is only a little higher than $599, which would be a pretty decent WEST coast fare.

What to do? What to do? I have it on 24-hour hold, as we have to buy FOUR tickets (cough, cough).

WHAT DO YOU THINK???? DEAL OR NO DEAL??

--- Rene McD

deal....................

Seems like a good deal and the direct flight is sweeeeet...I would cross check by going directly to Swiss Air and comparing their price. Also a quick check of Orbitz helps confirm that you are getting the best deal.

I am paying that to Athens from NY.....so looks like a deal to me...and I love Swiss Air

spike said:

Seems like a good deal and the direct flight is sweeeeet...I would cross check by going directly to Swiss Air and comparing their price. Also a quick check of Orbitz helps confirm that you are getting the best deal.

Click to expand...

Yes, I've been checking Swiss Air via website and telephone, and their rates much higher. We've had our timeshare trades for quite some time now, so I've been watching fares for our travel dates. During the summer the lowest fares appeared to be about $880, and in the last month or so they have crept up to closer to $1,000. But usually some major carrier will announce a "Winter Fare Sale" and everyone else will match at least a few seats on each flight. Expedia has a "buy it within the hour" fare for $718, but that's without taxes & surcharges. Been checking Orbitz as well.

Arrgghhh! You need a crystal ball to know when to buy airline tix these days!

deal

I would take it. I have a winter flight to Rome from Chicago at $750 on United. I looked for a long time and so I think your deal is very good. I like my deal better only because I get E+ and miles. You should check to make sure you get full mileage credit.

I booked It!

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Since they had the exact dates we needed for Spring Break -- and a nice overnight flight from Los Angeles to Zurich -- we booked it. Easpecially since we are there over the Easter holidays, and don't return until mid-April.

Hurray! One less thing on the "To Do" list.

-- Rene

Rest easy. I "almost" used them one time, but ended up not because the flight they offered was less direct than the one I finally took. But I researched them at that point and yes they are just fine.