TexanMark
Tailgate Guru
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2011
- Messages
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First off I've stepped away from the ledge and think we have a 90% chance to get a bowl game 
With that I have a few travel tips for you
1. TICKETS Any of the bowl games we have a chance to get will not sellout. Do not delay travel arrangements while waiting for folks in your party to commit. This is the number one mistake. TICKETS ARE YOUR LAST WORRY FOR THESE BOWLS.
Ticket Tip: If you don't mind paying list price I will be setting up through SU a link to a Cuse section for everyone. Buying through SU helps them to sell their quota.
2. AIR TRAVEL is your first priority. Some airlines allow 24 hour holds on travel. I know American does
http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/hold_mktpg.jsp?anchorLocation=DirectURL&title=hold
Air travel Tips:
Fly/Drive/Car packages often times are the best deal. Check them out at Orbitz, etc..
Use Kayak.com to compare air travel prices. Look at shifting days, flying out early am or late pm, look at flying into a nearby city.
For Annapolis: BWI, DCA, IAD (Balt-Wash, National and Dulles)...but also look at PHL (Philly) and RIC (I'm a fan of the Richmond Airport, easy in n out and you can drive to Annapolis and avoid the BS on I-95)
For Shreveport: SHV but also look at DFW (3 hours west)
For Detroit: DTW but also look at Flint(FNT) which has Southwest.
For Dallas: DFW (almost every airline in the World) and LUV (SouthWest flies there) but depending on what you want to do AUS (Austin), SAT (San Antonio) and IAH (Houston Bush or Hobby)are options within 4 hours.
Edit for Bees St Pete: TPA (Tampa) has lots of flights. Nonstop from Rochester and Buffalo to TPA. If prices are high I would look into MCO (Orlando). Orlando is my first choice. Other options MLB (Melborne), SRQ (Sarasota-Bradenton), RSW (Fort Myers). A hidden gem might be to fly into Jacksonville (JAX)--less tourists.
Long Shot: Try a deep discount charter like Allegiant into St Pete-Clearwater (PIE) or Orlando-Sanford
I say a long shot as most of the flights are probably booked already.
http://www.fly2pie.com/
http://www.orlandosanfordairport.com/
3. MOTELS are another thing you need to book right away. My feelings on this. Let's face it these bowls are fairly lame. I have no real affinity to compel myself to stay close to the stadium or the designated hotel district. If I can get a fairly decent deal close in then great but if I can save $100 a night and stay out in a suburb I will do that.
Motel Tip: Since we are within 30 days of a bowl using Motel Points to your stay might be the way to go. Winter month often have the lowest point required rates (FL and HI excepted). Another option is prepay only if you know you are 100% committed to go.
4. CAR RENTAL Lastly book the smallest (cheapest) class you can handle. If they offer to upgrade you to another class for a slight upcharge I always say No. Nearly 100% of the time I get an upgrade anyways as they didn't have a car in your class to begin with and are just trying to extract more money from you.
Car Tip: Try Kayak or Priceline to get best rates. Book right away without paying. Then after your air travel is firmed up..try doing the Name Your Own Price at Priceline.com
I have a slightly outdated guide on Navy Football Tailgate/Travel at my blog for the Military Bowl. Just click on Navy in the legend on the right edge.
http://texanmarktailgate.blogspot.com
With that I have a few travel tips for you
1. TICKETS Any of the bowl games we have a chance to get will not sellout. Do not delay travel arrangements while waiting for folks in your party to commit. This is the number one mistake. TICKETS ARE YOUR LAST WORRY FOR THESE BOWLS.
Ticket Tip: If you don't mind paying list price I will be setting up through SU a link to a Cuse section for everyone. Buying through SU helps them to sell their quota.
2. AIR TRAVEL is your first priority. Some airlines allow 24 hour holds on travel. I know American does
http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/hold_mktpg.jsp?anchorLocation=DirectURL&title=hold
Air travel Tips:
Fly/Drive/Car packages often times are the best deal. Check them out at Orbitz, etc..
Use Kayak.com to compare air travel prices. Look at shifting days, flying out early am or late pm, look at flying into a nearby city.
For Annapolis: BWI, DCA, IAD (Balt-Wash, National and Dulles)...but also look at PHL (Philly) and RIC (I'm a fan of the Richmond Airport, easy in n out and you can drive to Annapolis and avoid the BS on I-95)
For Shreveport: SHV but also look at DFW (3 hours west)
For Detroit: DTW but also look at Flint(FNT) which has Southwest.
For Dallas: DFW (almost every airline in the World) and LUV (SouthWest flies there) but depending on what you want to do AUS (Austin), SAT (San Antonio) and IAH (Houston Bush or Hobby)are options within 4 hours.
Edit for Bees St Pete: TPA (Tampa) has lots of flights. Nonstop from Rochester and Buffalo to TPA. If prices are high I would look into MCO (Orlando). Orlando is my first choice. Other options MLB (Melborne), SRQ (Sarasota-Bradenton), RSW (Fort Myers). A hidden gem might be to fly into Jacksonville (JAX)--less tourists.
Long Shot: Try a deep discount charter like Allegiant into St Pete-Clearwater (PIE) or Orlando-Sanford
I say a long shot as most of the flights are probably booked already.
http://www.fly2pie.com/
http://www.orlandosanfordairport.com/
3. MOTELS are another thing you need to book right away. My feelings on this. Let's face it these bowls are fairly lame. I have no real affinity to compel myself to stay close to the stadium or the designated hotel district. If I can get a fairly decent deal close in then great but if I can save $100 a night and stay out in a suburb I will do that.
Motel Tip: Since we are within 30 days of a bowl using Motel Points to your stay might be the way to go. Winter month often have the lowest point required rates (FL and HI excepted). Another option is prepay only if you know you are 100% committed to go.
4. CAR RENTAL Lastly book the smallest (cheapest) class you can handle. If they offer to upgrade you to another class for a slight upcharge I always say No. Nearly 100% of the time I get an upgrade anyways as they didn't have a car in your class to begin with and are just trying to extract more money from you.
Car Tip: Try Kayak or Priceline to get best rates. Book right away without paying. Then after your air travel is firmed up..try doing the Name Your Own Price at Priceline.com
I have a slightly outdated guide on Navy Football Tailgate/Travel at my blog for the Military Bowl. Just click on Navy in the legend on the right edge.
http://texanmarktailgate.blogspot.com
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