Yup. Amsterdam to Boston on … gosh was it Pan Am, or TWA, or some other airline that doesn’t exist any more? They were promoting their new route with an inaugural fare of just $50.
It was 1978 and I had graduated from college and was bumming around Europe on an Interail Pass. I started in London (thanks to Freddie Laker) and over a period of five months had made my way down to Greece and was heading back North. I was backpacking and staying in youth hostels and having a great time.But duty called. I had to get back for a job interview in Washington, D.C.
I secured a plane reservation and took a train to Amsterdam to board the nonstop flight. Upon landing in Boston, I caught a bus home to Hartford, and then a train to Washington, DC. In other words, I spent a whole lot of money on ground transportation to take advantage of the $50 airfare.
I guess the moral of the story is: there is no such thing as a free lunch.
I am still a bargain hunter and the Priceline Queen. I will take bumps and open credit cards to get points and miles. But I recognize that the banks, airlines, and hotels know how to make money.
My goal is to exploit the loopholes without getting sucked in by the hype. Have you managed to strike the right balance?
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Nope, i’m usually in a hurry and can’t take advantage of bumps.
Agreed. But if you are flying on a Sunday morning, and the bump just means a few hours delay, you may still be able to get home in time for work on Monday morning and pocket a lucrative voucher for your next adventure.