<p>S has only recently gotten leave so he can come home from the East Coast for the holidays–fares are now in the $1400+ - $2K+ range. Anyone with great tips on how to get a low are? S is under 26 but no longer a student–can’t seem to find low fares at this date.
Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>I know that the cheapest fares out of California to Hawaii right now are out of San Diego…could he make a connection there? Other than that, GOOD LUCK. I was just on the phone with my Manhattenite brother, trying to find him a cheap fare for Christmas. With the dates we had to work with,(JFK to LAX)the best we could do was around $900 RT.</p>
<p>beg or borrow FF miles?</p>
<p>Maybe Southwest or Virgin America from DC to San Diego or LA and then SAN/LAX to Hi? Sometimes splitting the airlines by segment can save some money.</p>
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<p>Be careful that you have a lot of time between connections, though, because if SW is delayed, the connecting flight airline might not work with you. I was once behind a woman at the SW counter when our flight was delayed, and she was going to miss her connecting flight – but because the connecting flight was not a SW flight, the agent told her that she was pretty much on her own in terms of contacting the other airline and rebooking another flight.</p>
<p>I’ve never tried it but there appears to be a group on Craigslist based in Hawaii bartering mileage etc. You might want to check it out. Then let me know how it works for you! :)</p>
<p>Here’s the link: [HOLIDAY</a> AIRLINE TICKETS. GREAT DEALS! USE MILES!](<a href=“http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/tid/2708697710.html]HOLIDAY”>http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/tid/2708697710.html)</p>
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This is true with anything other than a direct (nonstop or same plane with stops) flight even if it’s the same airline. When using different airlines one might need to add some time if it’s a hefty hike from one airport terminal to another if the different airlines are in different terminals in a large airport.</p>
<p>Splitting the carriers isn’t necessarily ideal or convenient, certainly not like a nonstop flight, but sometimes it can save some money.</p>
<p>In the OP’s case I don’t know if it’d save money or not but it’s worth looking at, especially when some companies sometimes have very good deals (not long ago VA had super cheap prices from DC to LAX for example) but the holidays are always a challenge.</p>
<p>OAK and SJC had the cheapest flights from CA to HI last time I checked. Also, you might want to try Bellingam WA (direct red eye to and from HNL).</p>
<p>OK, will keep my fingers crossed that the Craigslist folks are for real & see what they offer. Will have to look around more to figure out a fair that isn’t in the stratosphere. 
Gee, I thought my fare was pretty high–$1030 for HNL to SFO, SFO to Norfolk, IAD to HNL. I know my dates were better, but this is getting sky high!</p>
<p>You may want to check out this website for some airfare tips to HI from the east (and west) coasts. I’m currently trying to find cheap airfare to HI out of socal (:</p>
<p>[Best</a> Time to Visit Hawaii – When to Fly and Buy](<a href=“http://www.farecompare.com/travel-advice/best-time-to-visit-hawaii-when-to-fly-and-buy/]Best”>Best Time to Visit Hawaii – When to Fly and Buy | FareCompare)</p>
<p>So far, splitting the fare is making it even HIGHER rather than lower. Oh well, will see how things evolve.</p>
<p>Did you try adjusting the dates? It can make a huge difference, especially around the holiday time. For example, flying on Tuesday Dec 20 can be hundreds of $$$ cheaper than flying on Dec 21 or later.</p>
<p>Yea, not sure how much control he has over his dates, since he’s one of the most recent hires at his job. Wonder if he can arrange to go to LA on his way to HI or on his way back, as part of his job. Will ask him about that.</p>
<p>HIMom – also try checking fares at different times of the day. I heard that Tuesdays around noon you can get good fares (not making this up) and it worked for me when I booked D’s Xmas flight home (compared to when I logged on Saturday morning and checked).</p>
<p>Yea, have seen fares bounce around as well at different times–weekends are generally the most expensive time to buy tickets. Still about $1400+ up to $2000+!</p>
<p>Can he fly on Christmas Day? Sometimes demand for flying on the holiday itself is less.</p>
<p>My sympathies. My daughter waited too long to make her plans for a cross-country trip over Christmas. Thankfully we had frequent flyer miles, because otherwise it would have cost $1300. I think the airlines have all the power for this time period and can charge whatever they want.</p>