Please Help: Getting the Right Flight to HAWAII

Tangerine · Jun 27th, 2008, 06:29 AM

My uncle lives on the big island, near Honolulu. I've never been to the islands, and I would like to go the second week of august or somewhere around then.

I'm in San Francisco, and I don't fly often. Any saavy travelers have any advice on how to get an affordable flight? Do I buy now, wait, just any tips at all?

If it helps to know: I don't need a hotel, and I'd like to stay for about 2 weeks. Anything is appreciated!! Thanks!

Cedes · Jun 27th, 2008, 07:40 AM

Does he live on Oahu (which is where Honolulu is) or on the Big Island (Hawaii)? Since you said Honolulu I'm assuming Oahu :)

Typically the best time frame to book a flight is 21 days in advance. You might be able to find a really good deal through Hawaiian airlines (they're trying hard to keep the local market going strong) but I'm not completely sure if they operate out of SF.

You might start checking some of the discount travel sites (Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire, Priceline, etc) now and keep an eye on how much rates fluctuate between airlines. The cheapest dates to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

You've picked a good month to come - it's hot but it's not peak tourism season!

scarlet*rose · Jun 27th, 2008, 04:49 PM

^^ I agree..., I would check out Hawaiian. http://www.hawaiianair.com/Pages/Index.aspx
They do fly out fr. SF. I only fly with them whenever i go back home and i seem to find the best prices with them ( as well as direct flights & flight times). Also i like them because *knock on wood*

they're always on time, and never a problem w/luggage.

I did some checking for you and if you are planning to leave the 2nd wk of aug, tues the 12th will be about $373 one way and coming back wed the 27th is about $375. It's one stop-over in Honolulu. Looking to leave in aug now, the prices are going to be higher. Maybe look for early fall? Hope this helps.

**I just read your post again..., does he live on Oahu or the Big Island? The prices were for SF to Hilo, Big Island. Same dates but going to Honolulu would be $323 one way & coming back to SF $310, both direct flights.

Tangerine · Jun 28th, 2008, 05:21 AM

Wow thanks guys. I was confused, he does in fact live on Oahu. Shows how much I know!

I will start looking now, thanks for the link scarlet. I need to get on this ASAP. Your help is much appreciated!

Cedes · Jun 28th, 2008, 05:49 AM

Scarlet what part of HI did you live in?

Sometimes I look at the $6 cereal and $8 milk and weep a little, lol.

guccimamma · Jun 28th, 2008, 01:40 PM

expedia for us...not sure if it is any lower than booking with hawaiin air.

i love hawaiian air, only good experiences

sailornep5 · Jun 28th, 2008, 02:20 PM

Buy your tickets now. Since two carriers that used to fly to/from Hawaii have gone away, flights are more limited and it no longer pays to wait until the last minute to book.

The SF Chronicle just recently did a story on this:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...&sn=029&sc=094

louis loves fendi 818 · Jun 28th, 2008, 02:53 PM

Try using a travel sit like expedia, orbitz, or hotwire. I live in Kailua on Oahu for 3 years and there are(were?) always loads of good flight deals from CA.

scarlet*rose · Jun 28th, 2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangerine

Wow thanks guys. I was confused, he does in fact live on Oahu. Shows how much I know!

I will start looking now, thanks for the link scarlet. I need to get on this ASAP. Your help is much appreciated!

No problem

Actually at that time i was checking prices myself, so it worked out.
Hope you find a really good fare!!

scarlet*rose · Jun 28th, 2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedes

Scarlet what part of HI did you live in?

Sometimes I look at the $6 cereal and $8 milk and weep a little, lol.

Hi! I lived in Honolulu. I know, i really miss being there, especially the food & scenery but the prices are the one thing i don't miss

. Do you live on Oahu?

Cedes · Jun 28th, 2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarlet*rose

Hi! I lived in Honolulu. I know, i really miss being there, especially the food & scenery but the prices are the one thing i don't miss

. Do you live on Oahu?

Yep, I'm over on the Windward side. I like Honolulu but I can't imagine fighting the traffic/pedestrians/tourists every day to live down there. I do love the scenery, though.. no matter where you go here you're never very far from a beach.

scarlet*rose · Jun 29th, 2008, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedes

Yep, I'm over on the Windward side. I like Honolulu but I can't imagine fighting the traffic/pedestrians/tourists every day to live down there. I do love the scenery, though.. no matter where you go here you're never very far from a beach.

My grandparents used to live in Kaneohe

. So lucky, i miss now seeing the ocean! Of course i appreciate it more now that i'm not there!

Jun 27th, 2008, 06:29 AM	#1
Tangerine HallelujahLock&Load! Joined: Jan 2007 Location: C'Era Una Volta Il West Posts: 512	My uncle lives on the big island, near Honolulu. I've never been to the islands, and I would like to go the second week of august or somewhere around then. I'm in San Francisco, and I don't fly often. Any saavy travelers have any advice on how to get an affordable flight? Do I buy now, wait, just any tips at all? If it helps to know: I don't need a hotel, and I'd like to stay for about 2 weeks. Anything is appreciated!! Thanks! __________________ It gives the weak flight, it gives the blind sight.

Jun 27th, 2008, 04:49 PM	#3
scarlet*rose peace, love & bags! Joined: May 2008 Location: in the desert or on the beach... Posts: 445	^^ I agree..., I would check out Hawaiian. http://www.hawaiianair.com/Pages/Index.aspx They do fly out fr. SF. I only fly with them whenever i go back home and i seem to find the best prices with them ( as well as direct flights & flight times). Also i like them because knock on wood they're always on time, and never a problem w/luggage. I did some checking for you and if you are planning to leave the 2nd wk of aug, tues the 12th will be about $373 one way and coming back wed the 27th is about $375. It's one stop-over in Honolulu. Looking to leave in aug now, the prices are going to be higher. Maybe look for early fall? Hope this helps. I just read your post again..., does he live on Oahu or the Big Island? The prices were for SF to Hilo, Big Island. Same dates but going to Honolulu would be $323 one way & coming back to SF $310, both direct flights. __________________ ~ Cheers! ........................................ ..:~wishlist* ~:.. Bal ... RM Nikki cloud grey (w/silver hw) or deep red - MAM deep red -Beau etc... ^--^ (='.'=) my bag fund $550 Last edited by scarletrose; Jun 27th, 2008 at 04:54 PM.

Jun 28th, 2008, 05:21 AM	#4
Tangerine HallelujahLock&Load! Joined: Jan 2007 Location: C'Era Una Volta Il West Posts: 512	Wow thanks guys. I was confused, he does in fact live on Oahu. Shows how much I know! I will start looking now, thanks for the link scarlet. I need to get on this ASAP. Your help is much appreciated! __________________ It gives the weak flight, it gives the blind sight.

Jun 28th, 2008, 02:53 PM	#8
louis loves fendi 818 ~Avantay Garday~! Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 5,063	Try using a travel sit like expedia, orbitz, or hotwire. I live in Kailua on Oahu for 3 years and there are(were?) always loads of good flight deals from CA. __________________ Quickly developing an unhealthy obsession with Hermès ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and Latté Art 由三个方法我们也许学会智慧: 首先, 由反射, 是最高尚的

Jun 27th, 2008, 07:40 AM	#2
Cedes lol Joined: Apr 2006 Location: it's tropical Posts: 128	Does he live on Oahu (which is where Honolulu is) or on the Big Island (Hawaii)? Since you said Honolulu I'm assuming Oahu :) Typically the best time frame to book a flight is 21 days in advance. You might be able to find a really good deal through Hawaiian airlines (they're trying hard to keep the local market going strong) but I'm not completely sure if they operate out of SF. You might start checking some of the discount travel sites (Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire, Priceline, etc) now and keep an eye on how much rates fluctuate between airlines. The cheapest dates to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. You've picked a good month to come - it's hot but it's not peak tourism season!

Jun 28th, 2008, 05:49 AM	#5
Cedes lol Joined: Apr 2006 Location: it's tropical Posts: 128	Scarlet what part of HI did you live in? Sometimes I look at the $6 cereal and $8 milk and weep a little, lol.

Jun 28th, 2008, 01:40 PM	#6
guccimamma guccimamma Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,642	expedia for us...not sure if it is any lower than booking with hawaiin air. i love hawaiian air, only good experiences

Jun 28th, 2008, 02:20 PM	#7
sailornep5 Member Joined: Apr 2006 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,339	Buy your tickets now. Since two carriers that used to fly to/from Hawaii have gone away, flights are more limited and it no longer pays to wait until the last minute to book. The SF Chronicle just recently did a story on this: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...&sn=029&sc=094