Le Challenge Du Jour

[c9]

Alrighty, my super Internet gurus, I have a challenge for you: Find a way for leapfish and me to get to Marseilles, France, by May 20th, and then back home by May 30th, for less than $1000 CDN. I can't get below that magic number yet.

Your tools:

• http://www.travelocity.ca
• http://www.destina.ca
• http://www.expedia.ca
• http://www.aircanada.ca
• http://www.easyjet.com
• http://www.airfrance.com

Good luck. This message will self-destruct in five seconds.

Comments

[gueny.livejournal.com]

Have You tried Zoom Airlines? I heard they have some sales into Europe recently (including Paris I think).

[c9.livejournal.com]

I have not, but I shall.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Ugh. They only fly to Paris from Glasgow, unfortunately.

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

Are you sure? I found Toronto to Paris flights on FlyZoom starting at $199/one way.

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

Never mind - my bad. They don't start flying from Toronto to Paris until may 23rd. Are you locked into leaving on the bike tour on the 20th?

[c9.livejournal.com]

Yes. We 100% must be in Avignon by 3pm May 20, and we cannot leave Avignon until 9am May 27. Everything else is negotiable.

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

Did I tell you that I was in Avignon? It's beautiful. And make sure you dance on the bridge. :)

[c9.livejournal.com]

I'll try my best!

[c9.livejournal.com]

Oops, I'm an idiot. RyanAir does the Glasgow/Paris route. FlyZoom, on the other hand, only flies once in a while (not on our required schedule).

[skaughty.livejournal.com]

I assume you meant CAN$, but being the smartass I am, here's a US$ quote from Northwest Airlines
================================
$972.95 with Northwest Airlines 2857

Thu, May 19
6:00pm Depart Toronto (YYZ)
7:17pm Arrive Detroit (DTW)
Plane Change
9:30pm Depart Detroit (DTW)
11:25am Arrive Amsterdam (AMS)
Plane Change
Thu, May 20
1:35pm Depart Amsterdam (AMS)
3:30pm Arrive Marseille (MRS)

Mon, May 30
6:45am Depart Marseille (MRS)
8:55am Arrive Amsterdam (AMS)
Plane Change
11:00am Depart Amsterdam (AMS)
1:35pm Arrive Detroit (DTW)
Plane Change
3:20pm Depart Detroit (DTW)
4:40pm Arrive Toronto (YYZ)

[c9.livejournal.com]

An admirable effort, but too expensive and in the wrong currency. Two demerits.

[thespos]

Eesh... C$1,000 total for both of you? Is this just airfare or all of it?

I am making progress, tho...

Progress...

[thespos]

I was able to find C$892.41, flying you through JFK to Paris... thought with all your good luck with your roadtrip, you might consider renting a car to drive to Marseilles...?

Trying...

[c9.livejournal.com]

No, each!!

[thespos]

Ok... got somethin fer ya...

YYZ to JFK, 18 May 2005
Depart 2:25pm
Arrive 3:56pm
Non-Stop

JFK to MRS
Depart 6:10pm 18 May 2005
Arrive 12:05pm 19 May 2005 (connect at CDG, Paris)

-----

MRS to JFK, 29 May 2005
Depart 1:05pm (connect at CDG, Paris)
Arrive 8:50pm

Lunch with thespos on 30 May 2005 :-P

JFK to YYZ, 30 May 2005
Depart 6:00pm
Arrive 8:00pm

CDN $937.51 per person

Or (am I good or what?):

YYZ to JFK, 18 May 2005
Depart 1:38pm (connect in Cincinnati)
Arrive 6:10pm

JFK to MRS
Depart 9pm 18 May 2005
Arrive 2pm 19 May 2005 (connect at CDG, Paris)

-----

MRS to JFK, 29 May 2005
Depart 7:35am (connect at CDG, Paris)
Arrive 3:15pm

JFK to YYZ, 29 May 2005
Depart 5:28pm (connect at Cincinnati)
Arrive 10:44pm

CDN $989.36 per person

:-)

[c9.livejournal.com]

Cool! Both sound very promising! Luckily it's the beginning of seat sale season, so I suspect we'll find even better deals in the next couple months. (I certainly hope so, anyway! Even $989 is still $989!)

[miket61.livejournal.com]

Keep an eye on Delta Airlines - they're making news for announcing big fare cuts and reducing restrictions and fees. www.delta.com

[c9.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm. $1365 CDN this morning, but perhaps that will change...

[simplisticton.livejournal.com]

My advice: have someone in Marseilles killed. Go to the funeral as "brothers of the deceased". Bereavement fares are very reasonable.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Sadly, you have to supply a death certificate for that sort of thing.

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

Actually you don't. You just need the name of the deceased and the funernal home that is preparing the funeral. All you need to do is get that info. ;)

[c9.livejournal.com]

Oh, NASTY. That's so evil, I love it. Most funeral homes even put their listings online, we'd just have to be ready to go at the drop of a hat!

(also, if they caught us, we'd be soooo fucked.)

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

Well at least that is the case for Air Canada for flights within Canada. Not sure if it works the same for all airlines or what happens if its out of country.

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

I can find flights for $1000 CDN, but that is *per person*. ;(

[c9.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I should have been more specific. That's what I was finding too. If we can get it down to $700-800 per person, that would be really nice.

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

Just got a web-offer from Air Canada. Its not to Marseilles, but if you buy before Jan. 19th and fly before May 31st, you can get a round-trip ticket from Toronto to Paris for $538 each person.

Maybe flights from Paris to Marseilles are cheap, or maybe you can take the train.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/air/newyear_sale/newyear_sale.html

[c9.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I get those emails too. I tried it yesterday, and the prices were way higher ("starting from $538"), though today it's $633, and flights from Paris to Marseilles are under $200 on Air France. Hmmmm... I'll have to check the other airlines in case there's even better deals...