From:  Rick Fredericksen

     Date:  May 26, 2018

Subject:  Air Fares

Tim, if your friend is Vietnamese, that will help immeasurably. Even so, if you want to travel around a lot that requires boocoup set up for travel, accommodations, etc. Lots of pitfalls unless your friend has the time and experience to jump through hoops. One alternative is to do both:  a tour first, for the upcountry travel, then spend add-on time on your own. 
In February I traveled with a Vietnamese friend from Hong Kong to Da Nang, Hue and ending in Saigon, After she left, I stayed on in Saigon alone and got along fine doing my own thing for another week. I saw very very few veterans. 
Nancy is right to pick a western, or veterans tour. Asian tourists have their own destinations, hotels and food choices. I booked some of my own hotels in advance and was sorely disappointed: big Chinese/Asia groups creating all kinds of noise all hours, hollering down the hallway to each other, etc.  Western groups would probably eliminate the kids and cheaper tour groups that don't have to travel as far. Paying more for a room is worth it. 
It is a hassle--but the memories and nostalgia is numba 1. With a Vietnamese speaker I saw much much more with few headaches. 
Rick Fredericksen


    From:  Nancy Smoyer

     Date:  May 24, 2018

Subject:  Air Fares

Tim, I'd say a group, but here are considerations:  a group it makes it so much easier to get around and not have to make your own decisions.  BUT it should be a vet group, not a tourist group that doesn't get it.  And find one that goes where you want, or go on your own.
​ Nancy


    From:  Tim Bodle

     Date:  May 24, 2018

Subject:  Air Fares

I'm finally at a point that I can take the time to go to Viet Nam.  Would it be best to go in a tour or book everything on my own?  I may take a friend with me.  She knows her way around the country.

    From:  Joe Ciokon

     Date:  September 11, 2012

Subject:  Air Fares

If I had weeks to spend waiting and hoping, and travelling alone, I would.


    From:  Ken Kalish

     Date:  September 11, 2012

Subject:  Air Fares

Joe, Check out the local Navy air, Air Force, and Air National Guard units.  They usually don’t have a lot of advance notice, about three weeks or so, and they may be flying Hercs.
Ken


    From:  Paul Kasper

     Date:  September 10, 2012

Subject:  Air Fares

Is it feasible for Joe to ask about a military hop?


    From:  Joe Ciokon

     Date:  September 10, 2012

Subject:  Air Fares

Thanks guys,

I got a good deal through AirTket Guru on  Delta.  I also thought about MilAir, like to Norfolk (plenty from both the Navy and Marine Corps bases here) and book commercial from there.  NAS Millington, TN, is right there, too, but the flights are rare.  For Norfolk, it would mean I would have to travel Tuesday to Tuesday, because that’s the normal flight routine.  We now arrive 1800 Wed 3 Oct on Delta Flight #4548 and leave early Sunday morning 7 Oct.  We’re also booked into the Whispering Woods.

Side note:  Mary and I could have stayed at the La Quinta Inn for less than half the price on her employee discount, but in consideration of Ken’s contract we are willing to pay the higher rate.

JoeC


    From:  Morrie Beitch

     Date:  September 10, 2012

Subject:  Air Fares

inexpensive airfares are difficult this close to travel however Southwest flies from San Antonio to Nashville and it’s only around 3 hours or so to drive to Memphis; Southwest does not participate in any cheap web sites (travelocity etc) so you need to go directly to Southwest’s web site where you can fly roundtrip San Antonio to Nashville for $326.  If you were going to rent a car in Memphis anyhow???? you can rent in Nashville with unlimited mileage (I went on line to Southwest before sending this email) This would save you $112 but only if you were renting a car

If it makes you feel any better, last week I booked a trip from Destin to St Louis for my daughter’s 40th b’day 2 months in advance and still had to pay $450; airfares these days just aren’t as cheap as they were a year or two ago


    From:  Steve Sivets

     Date:  September 10, 2012

Subject:  Air Fares

Louisville, KY to Memphis = 385 mi.

Nashville, TN to Memphis = 210 mi


    From:  Robert Vail

     Date:  September 10, 2012

Subject:  Air Fares

Whenever I fly to Ft Knox, I fly into Lexington and rent a car. Still cheaper all together than flying directly to Louisville. Might want to consider flying into Nashville and drive to Memphis.


    From:  Robert Vail

     Date:  September 10, 2012

Subject:  Air Fares

Whenever I fly to Ft Knox, I fly into Lexington and rent a car. Still cheaper all together than flying directly to Louisville. Might want to consider flying into Nashville and drive to Memphis.


    From:  Joe Ciokon

     Date:  September 10, 2012

Subject:  Air Fares

Anyone hve any suggestions?  I’ve tried CHEAPOAIR, Priceline, Expedia, and others plus AirTrans and Jet Blue, neither of which routes to Memphis.  Is it better to go direct to the airlines rather than try any of these so-called cheap flights sites?  Most of them refer to AA and Delta and the prices were higher than I saw on the airlines website.  Now I’m thinking of going to the airport and strolling the airline ticket agents.  Can’t get below $448 RT SAN/MEM.  Is that the best?  Is it higher now than two months ago?

JoeC


Air Fares

September 2012 and May 2018

AFVN Group Conversations