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Juts curious why first class airfare is a must have. You're only on the plane for a few hours. Wouldn't you rather not be pinched tight or have to make cuts somewhere? We got upgraded to first class on one of our honeymoon flights and it was nice....but nothing I personally would pay extra for.
We did 7 nights at an all-inclusive in Jamaica (Secrets....and AMAZING resort) and airfare for under $4k.
You might want to try one of those Sandals resorts! I went to one in jamaica a couple years ago and they were really nice.. as far as the airfair goes.. if you book a coach ticket with Delta, you are allowed to buy an upgrade when you get to the airport for 100$ each! YES- I know, no one knows this!!!!! If you want, you can call up the airline counter (in the airport ONLY ) and make sure of their policy.. I only know this because my brother used to work for the airline.. other than that you will prob make it below budget if you go with both..like wayyyyyyyy below budget :)
@ellabee:Agreed. It can easily be attained if you have miles. DH and I have an American Airlines credit card that we use for all purchases (it is paid off each month). We started using it for our wedding purchases (which are obviously costly). This enabled us to upgrade to first or business class with our travels. Once we checked in for a flight from Chicago to Newark and were offered an upgrade to first class for an additional $100!
IN addition, you might get upgraded free..mention you are on your honeymoon...be very nice.. etc etc.. once first class is not sold out (it NEVER is..most of the people you see in first class that have not been upgraded for free because of their relationship with the airline are people who work for the airline)
@Treasure43: My fiance has sciatica and he needs to be able to stretch his legs (even just a few more inches will make a difference).
@ellabee: We only have a few emergency credit cards, none of which earn miles (we're big on no unnecessary debt).
@MrsNeutrino: I’ve heard about the upgrades but is it true that not everyone gets offered? We also have a total of 4 flights we’re going to have to take (layovers both there and back) so if we have to pay $100 each per flight, there’s an extra $800. While it would be cheaper than booking first class, in the event we didn’t get offered an upgrade, we wouldn’t even be able to get on the plane.
Seriously, the HM has caused me more stress than the actual wedding!
Some airlines allow you to pay an extra fee to guarantee an exit row seat. It'll cost less than the first class upgrade at the airport, and the last time I got an exit row seat, there was a lot of leg room, but I'm only 5'4".
I was going to say what elle said: call to make the reservations and see if you can reserve either an exit row seat or a bulkhead seat- TONS of leg room, but still in coach so you don't have to pay through the nose for first class. In fact, you'll get a LOT more leg room with a bulkhead or exit row seat than you would with a first class seat.
Sign up for Travelzoo emails - you'll get an email each with with their top 20 deals, and the website always has some. You may luck out, I've seen some pretty killer deals lately and you can upgrade to first class on most for not too much more money.
Also, are you flying out of Albany? We have the suckiest airport - so expensive to fly from. Try flying from Stewart Airport or even Hartford, CT. It's often well worth the drive for what you save!
Good luck!
We did 6 days at an all-inclusive in Jamaica (Couples, which was FANTASTIC btw) for less than $4000 but we used some of DH miles from all the traveling he does for work. I agree with PP if you can get emergency exit seating it will give you the leg room you need without the cost of first class. Is there any way that you could apply for an air miles card and use it just for the purchase of the HM and wedding expenses and just pay it off? We did this for our wedding with a card DH already had and it helped a ton.I understand that you are big no debt people but you could get the benefits of the card without accuring debt.
I would definitely not count on being upgraded. We got 0 upgrades or "perks" for being on our honeymoon (even though yes everyone knew because we had some name issues and we were very very nice to everyone). And actually even when I tried to pay to upgrade us to first class we weren't able to do it.
@UpstateCait: With Delta you don't need to be offered, you can just ask and you will get the upgrade.. I am sorry this is causing so much stress :-(
I agree with trying to get bulkhead seating. Or what about just sitting on the aisle, so he can stretch his legs out? That's what my DH does because he's got long legs and isn't comfortable sitting in any of the other seats.
@AnneTossy: Albany, NY
@thewheelsonthebus: Yep, Albany. We were thinking about even going to JFK or LGA but FI likes the conveinance of being 1/2 hour from home. If it saves a considerable amount, I think we would consider it, though.
@elle: & @ohheavenlyday: Great thinking on the bulkhead or exit row seating. I'll have to ask our TA about that.
we did $2400 all inclusive at a 5 star resort in the carribean including airfare for 2 all you can eat and drink ; we had another trip $1400 all inclusive all you can eat and drink including airfare to the carribean first class wasnt that important to us; it's nice when you fly first class to Europe because you get 4 course meals with table cloth and real wine glasses and silverware and wine and champagne and get to recline backwards with lots of space , but a short trip just isnt worth it
It doesnt happen everytime, but try asking for an upgrade when you get there. We were able to fly first class for 2 legs of our trip because my husband pulled the just married honeymoon card. We were shocked that it worked but since there was space they were able to do it!
We fly a lot and I don't want to be the dream killer, but what you're asking for is going to be very tough.
1.If you book it yourself, expedia and cheapcarribean.com will let you pay half up front and then the other half a couple of weeks before the trip.
2. There are certain airlines that actually sell seats that have extra leg room. American Airlines for instance sells extra inches. More inches more money. So if you don't actually need first class this may be the way. I think Continental too.
3. In most flights first class is full. When you are a frequent flyer they call you the night before and offer you first class by using points or for a discounted rate. They are usually taken before you ever arrive.
4. Bulkhead an exit row seats can be requested if you have a medical condition, however the arm rests don't usually go up. My hubby needs a little extra space due to his width and so these seats don't work for him.
Oh, yes, that's a good point about first class upgrades. FH travels a LOT for work and is a Platinum member of US Airways and if there's any unbooked first class seats, they usually go ahead and upgrade any silver/gold/platinum member. Only if all THOSE are upgraded to first class and there's still any leftover (not often) can you get a paid upgrade/free upgrade (for being honeymooners or whatever).
I highly doubt you'll be able to book your resort and first class seats for under your budget.
You may be able to get un upgrade once you arrive at the airport but you will likely have to pay additional for it for each leg and it may not be available if you have no status with the airline (people with status will get the option before you can - DH flys weekly for work and has status on Delta and American so I know how their processes work).
I'd try to get an exit row or bulkhead seat. Those (especially the bulkheads) will actually probably give you more leg room than the first class seats. And they'll cost you WAY less.
@UpstateCait:Can you fly Jet Blue to the places you are considering? I know they do a couple Carribean destinations now. They have a lot more legroom in coach than any other carrier i've ever flown - and you can upgrade to a LOT of legroom for like $30-60 each way. I'm 6'1" and mostly leg, so I go out of my way to fly them (plus you get awesome free snacks and real-time personal DirectTV. It's awesome).
Do you know which airlines serve the destination that you're traveling too?
Some airlines will allow an upgrade to first class at the gate for a small fee. There are some promos with some resorts that allow for a free upgrade to first class. It really just depends upon where you're going, and what airline you're on.
I have had some couples in a similar situation. first class air is expensive! If you can't swing it for all 4 legs, you may be able to add it for the long legs of the flight only. This would save you some money as well.
All th esuggestions are good. An exit row seat is your best bet. Trying to buy 1st class tix without miles is gonna blow your budget for sure. Would you consider signing up for a credit card to get the promotional miles that usually come with these things and then cancelling soon after? You don't actually have to carry any debt. I pay any purchases I make on them off at the end of every week.
Adding to what @crayfish: said, you should consider Jet Blue. Also Virgin America for the reasons she mentioned. I think you should also reconsider flying out of Albany, you will have way more options out of JFK or LGA.
Another option is to buy a 3rd seat and take up the whole row. I've got sciatica, and am facing the same problem. 3 economy seats are still less than 1 first class seat from DC to Jamaica.
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Beekeeper
FI and I have been working with a travel agent to book our honeymoon. We’re looking for 5 days at an all inclusive, pretty much anywhere in the Caribbean or Mexico with first class airfare for less than $4000. The first class airfare is absolutely killing us. Our TA was able to find a number of resorts that we loved that fell well within our budget with coach airfare but when we tack on first class, we’re talking like $1000+ more than our absolute max. FI is dead set on taking our HM soon after our wedding (we’re waiting 2 weeks to leave for work purposes) so waiting to save more is kind of out of the question.
Has anyone booked their HM at an all inclusive with first class airfare for around the amount we’re looking to spend? Also, it would be much easier for us if we could just pay a deposit and make payments towards the amount due. Were you able to do this or did you have to pay it all upfront?