NFT: Cheap Airfare tips

[Discuss Thrower]

So I have a spot reserved in a master's program in Seattle.

I haven't been to Seattle since 1991. I'd like to make sure I can stand living in the place for 2-4 years after living in the wonderful confines of SWMO for my entire life.

Driving is out of the question, so I need to fly the friendly skies.

The catch is my reserved spot gets much less reserved if I fail to score highly on the math section of the GRE. I'm sitting at about the 30th percentile and the program stresses I need to get at or above 50th.

Given that I failed every year of HS math and dodged hard classes in college, it's not a sure thing I score that on my third attempt at the test at the end of April. Also, plane tickets on short notice aren't cheap so the alternative is ordering tickets now for the beginning of May.

TL;DR: What can I do to get cheap tickets, or at least a ticket that can get some value back on a refund if I cancel with enough notice?

[Fritz88]

Can you ask them for conditional admission?

You take classes on the condition you score A or B in them?

As for airfare, I'd suggest Southwest if they fly there. If you don't use your ticket you get credit for one year and maybe a refund if you give them a good reason.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Fritz88

Can you ask them for conditional admission?

You take classes on the condition you score A or B in them?

As for airfare, I'd suggest Southwest if they fly there. If you don't use your ticket you get credit for one year and maybe a refund if you give them a good reason.
Posted via Mobile Device

I'd thought of asking but it seems to me that would result a deferred admission to Spring or Fall 2015.

[Why Not?]

Have you considered Malaysian Airlines? Guess they have some really discounted rates about now?

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

So I have a spot reserved in a master's program in Seattle.

I haven't been to Seattle since 1991. I'd like to make sure I can stand living in the place for 2-4 years after living in the wonderful confines of SWMO for my entire life.

Driving is out of the question, so I need to fly the friendly skies.

The catch is my reserved spot gets much less reserved if I fail to score highly on the math section of the GRE. I'm sitting at about the 30th percentile and the program stresses I need to get at or above 50th.

Given that I failed every year of HS math and dodged hard classes in college, it's not a sure thing I score that on my third attempt at the test at the end of April. Also, plane tickets on short notice aren't cheap so the alternative is ordering tickets now for the beginning of May.

TL;DR: What can I do to get cheap tickets, or at least a ticket that can get some value back on a refund if I cancel with enough notice?

How bad can a city possibly be that you couldn't stand living there for 2-4 years while in school? And how would you find out otherwise in a weekend?

It's a big city. It has all the stuff a big city has. A little rainy, but not as bad as its reputation. Gets colder in winter, warmer in the summer. Stop being a baby.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

How bad can a city possibly be that you couldn't stand living there for 2-4 years while in school? And how would you find out otherwise in a weekend?

It's a big city. It has all the stuff a big city has. A little rainy, but not as bad as its reputation. Gets colder in winter, warmer in the summer. Stop being a baby.

I might consider it too big, too expensive, too whatever. The point is I'd rather know it before hand before committing sums of money to living in the place.

[ThaVirus]

I'd have to imagine any large metro area to be better than BFE or wherever the balls you are now.

[ThaVirus]

.. And if not, who gives a shit? Reach down where your dick is supposed to be and sack up. It's not like Missouri is some bastion of fun and opportunity anyway.

Maybe you'll be able to get some pussy in Seattle.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

I might consider it too big, too expensive, too whatever. The point is I'd rather know it before hand before committing sums of money to living in the place.

Too expensive you can find out before getting there. You know where school will be, now check housing/apartments in the area--all by internet.

Too big? Have you ever been out of Podunk? Whatever part of town you're in, there will stores, bars, a movie theater and restaurants within a couple miles, and probably often closer. I bet you could live there 5 years and never have to venture more than 5 miles away if you didn't want.

[TribalElder]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

.. And if not, who gives a shit? Reach down where your dick is supposed to be and sack up.

[ForeverChiefs58]

Originally Posted by Why Not?

Have you considered Malaysian Airlines? Guess they have some really discounted rates about now?

I heard about some of the discounts they have, you really won't be able to find them anywhere.

[Chest Rockwell]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Too expensive you can find out before getting there. You know where school will be, now check housing/apartments in the area--all by internet.

Too big? Have you ever been out of Podunk? Whatever part of town you're in, there will stores, bars, a movie theater and restaurants within a couple miles, and probably often closer. I bet you could live there 5 years and never have to venture more than 5 miles away if you didn't want.

Pretty much all this. Get out of your comfort zone, life is about experiences. Hell, you might like it. I grew up 15 miles outside of a tiny SW MO town. No neighbors within a mile of the house, and they were all my relatives. Always knew I wouldn't stay, but if you'd have asked me even 5ish years ago if I thought I could live where I do now, I'd have told you hell no. After being here, I love it.

If you get into the program there's absolutely no reason not to give it a shot for a couple of years. Better to try and not like it than write it off and possibly regret it.

Re: cost, just look at a cost of living calculator for a good idea of how relatively expensive it will be. Seattle also has pretty good public trans. so you likely wouldn't need a car. Which is a huge $ savings and will really sway the relative expense.

Disclaimer: I love Seattle, it's one of a small handful of places (domestically) I'd leave where I'm at for given the opportunity.

[Rain Man]

If you're buying airline tickets, remember that every airline but Southwest will charge you an additional $25 each way per checked bag. They don't include this in the price because their goal is to display low prices and then add fees when you're not expecting them. Assume a price of $50 more than the ticket price for every airline but Southwest (and the ones below).

Further, Frontier Airlines will charge you at least $50 extra per checked bag (after the first one), and will actively try to charge you as much as possible beyond the ticket price. Their business model is to add as many undisclosed fees as possible after you buy your ticket so they can maximize revenue. Assume an additional cost of $100 beyond the ticket price for Frontier, and slightly more if you would like anything to drink on your flight.

I believe Spirit and Allegiant have the same model as Frontier, but have not flown them.

[The Franchise]

I can't guarantee it's validity....but I've heard that you should clear the cookies on your browser before ordering plane tickets. The websites save what you've searched for and possibly increase ticket prices.

Not claiming it's fact....just something I've heard.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

.. And if not, who gives a shit? Reach down where your dick is supposed to be and sack up. It's not like Missouri is some bastion of fun and opportunity anyway.

Maybe you'll be able to get some pussy in Seattle.

This.

Gotta take some risks to find rewards.