Flying to PIR

[Missomd]

Quick question.

Flights to Chicago. I know the earlier you book the cheaper the fare, but what if the grad. Date is moved back a week etc., you can't really book any flights too early until you know the exact date?! Ehat have other moms done?

[Phoenixmom]

Missomd have you received your form letter yet to know when his PIR is? if not, wait for that. Never assume his PIR will be moved back. And if for some reason it is moved you will be notified. Now I made hotel arrangements before my flight, only because you can cancel those without any hassle, flights we booked it a few weeks prior to PIR, as we booked flights we also did a rent a car, but from a message before you were thinking of driving? if not, search for rent a cars as well as flights. I went thru Travelocity and got good rates for hotel, flights, rent a car. But you can look around and see what is cheapest. Hope this helps.

[Chipmunk]

Anything you book, motel, flights, etc. should all have refundable cancellation policies. Refundable flight tickets though are about twice as expensive. Many people fly Southwestern Airlines so they can change tickets if need be. I would contact the airlines directly. Travel sites are good to get an idea of what rates you might be looking at, but if you want to know what the airlines will honor, it is best to check with them directly.

[Missomd]

Oh very good advice. Thank you

[PedALqueen4ever]

AAA membership is a great help also an optional resource to serve their members whether booking flight &/or inn for place to stay -- gives discounts to members while other Airlines provide no fee for changing flight times/dates at certain grace period yet most do charge for each of their service they provide whether adjustment, reservation, cancelllation -- is non-refundable but funds has a coded system to certain customer named on the flight ticket is non transferrable by policy -- the funds stays for within the year of next booking on that same named flight ticket that has been canceled...otherwise, adjustime time(s)/scheduling has a fee $200 for their service to you via checking what is available/what booking they have to accommodate your request(s) + or additional special modifying booking...

[Phoenixmom]

In the Navy, "No news is good news." Your Recruit will be permitted to contact you almost immediately if something goes wrong, and if the Recruit cannot, the Navy will. If by one week prior to PIR, you have not received a call indicating that there is a problem, then most likely everything is on track for your recruit to have PIR on time; every now and then the call indicating a problem will come on the Monday or Tuesday before PIR, especially for a recruit in a Push Division, but most calls are made before that

[Butterball]

Personally I like flying Southwest, they fly into Midway, allow two free carry ons and two free checked baggage. If you have to change the flight plans, you do not get charged for it either. Trip from Midway to Navy Lodge about the same. Use Sarge's Taxi Service. Wonderful customer service for Navy families. Hope this helps.

[Kelz89]

I recommend getting a flight now that is 100% able to be refunded or changed. I made the mistake of booking a cheap non refundable flight because it fit the budget better and with 3 weeks to go my husband was set back a week. Now I’m struggling to get a refund and have to book a new flight probably last minute..

[Missomd]

Ok...thanks for everyones help

[1underGod]

1. I recommend Southwest airlines. Book flight early at lowest price. If there r any changes in PRI, U only pay the difference in price of the changed flight/date. U don't loose ur $. Plus, if u can not use the flight u initially purchased, u have 1yr to use it to fly. No refund, but at least u don't lose it either. Hope this helps.

[Missomd]

Thanks everyone for your suggestion. I may have to go by myself. If it's true you need to be there thur, fri and sat if you want to have time wi4h your sailor The meals and the lodging would be expensive already not to mention 2 extra plane tickets. I wonder how easy it would be to go alone and maybe just get an uber after he graduates if we want to visit anywhere. If I go with my husband we have to bring 9ur daughter and then it's over 800 for tickets to fly alone. Trying to fill in form for PIR they just sent me in mail. I have to have names of those goung but dont know yet.

[Chipmunk]

Missomd - if you are just trying to figure out who to put on the access list  that has to be turned in, I would name anyone and their information that you think might go. If they don't show you just let them know that. (at least it worked that way before the tickets.) We had 4 guest and I had my recruit put down his sister's name, just in case and there wasn't an issue that she did not show up. But at least the names were there.

[Missomd]

Ok. Thank you so much. I will do that. I want to be happy not sad and stressed and scared to go by myself! It's a great time for my son and the other recruits. Proud. Cant bare to picture the families there and my son doesnt have anyone. Ill crawl there if i have to!!!! Cant WAIT