I got an email from Travelocity today indicating a $334. airfare from Cincinnati to Bonaire on both Continental and American. Runs into December mid-week. I'm sure taxes are additional. I would book it NOW, but we are going to Hawaii.

I clicked on every day the fare was available and there were no seats available. this took some time, as there were many low fare flights. i don't understand how this gets promoted while no real flights are available.

I always come back to the idea that I'll call a travel agent when I'm ready, or semi-ready to book. Leaving some flexibility on dates, and allowing the travel agent to find the best and cheapest routes and tickets. However, the way air into Bonaire is these days, i am not sure even travel agents are up to the task.

thanks anyway, Jim.

Where in Hawaii are you going? Have you been there before? I have been there numerous times so if you need any tips let me know.

If you are going to be on Kauai, suggest diving with Bubbles Below. Linda Marsh (formerly Linda Bail) runs a great small operation, and does a wonderful job of pointing out and describing the local critters. She also, weather permitting, does an all-day, 3-tank trip to Niihau, the forbidden island. While we did not do that, I have heard it is awesome. Check out her website (http://www.bubblesbelowkauai.com) and e-mail her.

Jim,
I bought 2 tickets, yesterday, from Raleigh NC to Bonaire. The TOTAL on each ticket $398. I will be meeting my birthday twin!
Yanagirl

Yanagirl, what airlines are you flying on?

OMG Yana!!! That is AWESOME!!!! I can't wait to meet you !!! Smiles all around!!!!!!

Kelly,I am on CLOUD 9!!!!! I am looking forward to meeting you and Cynde and all the other BTers who will be on the island at the same time. OMG, I am really going to Bonaire in Oct!!!

Gary, American Airlines all the way! RDU-MIA-SJU-BON....very long hours but WORTH every hour! Oct 5 - 12. I need to book my accommodations sooooon.
Yana

Gary,
If I remember right you had to fly M-Th. On all the dates I checked not one Thursday was available for me. My highest priority was to be in Bonaire Oct 11th.
I also booked another trip on AA to Cur for Nov 28 - Dec 12. Good hours but I had to book a separate ticket to Bon on BE.
Yana

Yana...so your birthday is Oct 11 too???? OMG, how fun! YOu need to sign up for the morning birthday bash windwood sail, and for the party that GRI is graciously letting us have at their place catered by Gibi's that night...2 birthday girls...we gonna have a parTAY! I can't wait to meet you in person!

This is awesome news!!!! Way to go Yana!!!!!

Cynde,
You are sooo right about adding my names to the parTAY lists. It will parTAY week in Oct.....Whooo Hooo! I am so psyched right now that I did a "reply" to the "noreply" in my yahoo email box on your message!!!
Yana

Kristy, We are going to Kona for the 2nd time. Diving with Dive Makai and Jack's. Any shore diving tips for the area?
Yanagirl, Way to GO!!!
DrDirector, thanks for the info--I have run into positive reviews all over for Bubbles Below. Maybe next trip.

Kristy and Jim, I am interested in the same info. although it 's quite a diversion off topic in this thread. Let me know.... thanks.

Niki, There IS some shore diving, we went and snorkeled a few spots where one could get in and out a few years ago. I bought a booklet called Let's Go Shore Dive'n, by Dick Dresie. I emailed him a couple of weeks ago and haven't heard back. If you google his name, you will find some info. The shops in Kona may offer maps, guides, etc. or just google, Kona shore diving.
We are going September 3rd, can't wait.

Joe and Dawn, I have run into that problem as well, maximum frustrating!! A few months ago, someone here on BT suggested www.itasoftware.com It works great. One can look at as much as a month to find the lowest cost days to travel, etc. I just looked and AA is $395. from Cincinnati several days in November. That includes the taxes. Several of the options had us going thru Chicago, so maybe you will find something useful. I haven't yet used this to buy anything though.

Yana,
Divi Divi is much more reliable from Cur to Bonaire than BE is. They fly often and on time and are incredibly nice.
Tish

Yana - my lovely Gal Pal!!! you have mail

Cynde and Kelly - take good care of her!!!! Now I really wish I was there the beginning of October - not the end of October!!! At least Dirk will be happy - it will be quieter when we are there - except for this noisy neighbors that we will have!!!

Yana...LOL on the reply to the noreply...I've done that! LOL! This will be a great trip for a lot of us that's for sure...Mary, Michael isn't too disappointed that he has to stay home with Dylon...I seem to organize too many things on our vacations and he needs a vacation when he gets home...LOL!

Mary, you ought to see the sound system Smack is shipping to Bonaire just for you! It comes complete with its' own generator WOO-HOO!!!

Heading out to Best Buy tomorrow to pick up of Iron Maiden, Metallica, Whitesnake, AC-DC, Sabbath (of course) and for the quiet evenings the entire Judas Priest Collection from the Rob Halford era.

Jim,

Thanks for the post on the low fare. I had bought tickets for my wife and I about a month ago for a trip in September(our fourth trip this year). I called AA and had them check current pricing on the schedule we booked and they issued a nice refund. Let me know the next time you are going to Bonaire and I owe you a nice dinner. Hope you enjoy your trip to Hawaii.

Thanks Michael, Have a GREAT(cheaper)trip!!!

Jim,

I use the itasoftware site for airfare pricing for example, before I offer a price on priceline for airfare. ITA does not book your flights it only lets you see what's available. The following quotes are from their FAQ's page, FAQ #19.

"I've found the flights I want; how do I book them?

ITA Software's website does not currently have the ability to make reservations and sell tickets directly. However, you can use the information from the ITA Software site to book your tickets from a conventional travel agent, airline, or an online travel site. Once you've found the ticket you want, it's a good idea to check the airline's web site to see if there are currently any specials on the fare you've chosen. If you want to book an itinerary with multiple carriers, though, you will need to go through an independent travel agent rather than an airline.

Note: To make sure your travel agent gets you the same flights for the same price that you found with ITA Software, you will need the booking codes from the 'booking details' page for that trip. Also, to make sure that the booking codes you have and the fare you want are still valid, you should order your ticket the same day that you looked it up on our site. Booking codes and fare rules change daily, and this is the best way to ensure you get the flights you want at the price we quote."

The shopping gene runs wild in Me!! LOL!!
Yana

Yana girl, Thanks for the low fare notice. Just called AA and got a hefty refund on my Oct ticket from BWI!! The new fare is almost half what I originally paid.

"Dirty deeds done dirt cheap"!!!:D

Jacks in Kona has preprinted info on shore diving sites. In particular, go to "Place of Refuge" for a great dive. Set your compass to 270 degrees and you will come to a huge bunch of plate coral at about 80'.

If you used a travel agent to book AA, will you be able to get a refund? Would I contact AA directly or my travel agent?
Sharyn, When are you going in October???? Do we get to meet????

Yanagirl, have a great birthday celebration and have one for me-my 50th is October 12th!!!

Ieeeee!!!!! I can't believe that everyday I learn something new from this group
Yanagirl - I had to print out your last posting. I can't wait to check it out.... maybe I can go sooner than next year!!???
Thanks again and CONGRATULATIONS!!
The web cams will be smoking during October

Tom and Smack, you are bringing the portable version so that when you come to visit us with Mary and Dirk at the Pelican Reef house Mary won't miss out on the music? ;)

Julia, we have a pick-up truck reserved, no worries;-{)} You, Bob, Smack and I need to set up a play date.

My birthday is October 4.....going to Bonaire November 12-19. Can't WAIT!!!!

we'll be back on island from sept 28 to oct 13...see y'all at gibi's.

To shorten a loooong story, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME TRYING TO DEAL WITH TRAVELOCITY.

Jess, I see you have posted this same thing on another thread. I've used travelocity to get to bonaire a couple of times, no problem. It might help others if you let us know what kind of problems you experienced (so others can avoid or possibly know ahead of time how to avoid the problems when they book through Travelocity). Doesn't have to be a long story, just the facts...

Hi, This is Sharon, I'm wanting to bring a group of about 10 to Bonaire in Feb, we will be coming from Alaska and are not sure where to fly to in lower 48 to get best price to bonaire. Any suggestions?

Sharon,

Look back in this thread for www.itasoftware.com
and instructions on how to use it. One is able to look at up to a 30 day period and compare prices, etc.

I did and thank you! Looks like the least exp flight from the US is Miami, at $490 if we fly on a Friday, but lots of lay overs. Anyone have any other suggestions? There will be 10 to 15 of us, flying from SE Alaska on Alaska Airlines. We can land anywhere that that Alaska Airlines lands and fly from there to Bonaire. Looking for best price. We're pretty flexible on dates, other than before end of April as that is when our tourist season starts here in Sitka.

Sharon,

You may already know this, Continental will shortly be going nonstop to Bonaire from Houston on a Friday nite red eye. Does Alaska Air fly to Houston?
Happy Shopping!!!!

Yeah, I saw that in regards to Houston. AA flies to Dallas, though, not houston. But, going to check with sister companies. Thanks/Sharon