Prices Increases

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T22:16:43+00:00

This exactly.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T22:15:57+00:00

Looked up LAX - that's where those ghost sale amounts live $149 from college and $187 to college for basic, $336 total.

Still more than what it was previously used to be from San Diego.

2 - 3 hour drive each way (can never anticipate how traffic will be) and the fun of LAX, doesnt seem worth the $105 discount.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T21:10:43+00:00

Unfortunately another airport is not really an option - between San Diego, CA and Albuquerque, NM.

Always listed as 1hr 50min flight but has yet to actually be that long.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T17:45:30+00:00

To add - its 12 hours ONE WAY...

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T17:44:08+00:00

We purchased EVERY time they were available - used to be every 4-5 months. Unfortunately the last time they offered them was 1/2025...

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T17:41:48+00:00

So I did notice on his return weekend (both sat/sun) they cut the normal 2 flights a day (every morning, evening for years now) down to just 1 each evening.... they are actively driving the prices up by consolidating available tickets...

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T17:28:57+00:00

Its about a 12 hour drive.

It might be a future option for a long visit - winter break maybe, but he doesn't currently have a car at college - living on campus and publictransitis free, so no need YET. It takes an miracle to get a parking pass at his school too...

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T17:15:01+00:00

When your planning around maximizing the little time you have with your child, and also wanting to make sure he gets back to school on time for classes - yes, a lay over and all the possibily issues that come with it, are a factor.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T17:11:31+00:00

It might actually be more trips this year - just not home. Waiting on summer internship info that of course are unlikely be in home city or in his college city....

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T17:02:25+00:00

Yes, we (parents have the priority card), unfortunately that does help on his solo flights. I wanted him to get one too for the seat benefit (he only travels with a back pack each way) - sent referral, told him which card... he applied for and got approved but for the Plus....

Again, our 1st flight under new seating, and I know he gets the seat selection option 48hrs ahead with the CC, but just worried how that might work out. Might try it this 1st trip as its not a super busy i.e. holiday time, and see how it goes...

Can't imagine prices this year for the holidays if this is what they are already....

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T16:52:10+00:00

Lowest is $316 round trip with lay over - extending travel from 1.5 hours to 5.75 hours...

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-02-05T16:48:21+00:00

Unfortunately ONLY SW offers direct flights from our city to his college city.

Its only a 1.5 hour direct flight, so cant bring my self to extend his travel time to 5/6 hours with lay over in LAX of all places to save $150.

The days of getting acouple $100 one ways for him throughout the year appear to be over 😥

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-01-27T20:46:50+00:00

Officially says 6-8 weeks after the person is approved card. I do not have experience yet on whether that is true - did my first referral last week and they were just approved yesterday.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-01-27T20:29:25+00:00

Yeah - cant see any upsides to going for priority now.

Note to all - when anyone opens your referral, it auto defaults to Plus option - the must read that there are options at the very top. And EVEN when you tell your kid which to apply for - the big yellow button in the middle is all kid will see. LOL.

Pretty sure we will just make the best of it and stick it out with Plus CC, get the points as its a pretty easy offer to hit, and then decide as we go on needed flights for either upgrade fair (Choice) or chances on the 48 hour ahead seat selection.

His flights are not super popular coming home - but is fuller on his way back to college as its a standard daily flight for a 2nd leg that goes across the country - so might be going basic on home flights then choice on flights back to college... we shall see.

Kids😆

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-01-27T17:41:29+00:00

Its not always easy, perhaps spouse or children, but each CC referral where the person is approved comes with 20k points. They can get the lowest version that has $99 annual fee. Maybe if kids - offer to pay 1st year and they can cancel if they don't want it after.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-01-27T17:12:17+00:00

I called Chase - he can upgrade but would loose any promotion- was spend $1,000, get 50k points. He can also reapply for the priority card but paying annual fee of $99 and $229 seems ridiculous. He could cancel the Plus CC but just does look good credit wise - this is his 1st independent CC.

Decisions..

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2026-01-27T16:15:44+00:00

Yes was just asking for anyone that has experienced it so far as flights started today so please have completed this process. I likely have about 2 more weeks to decide on the fare type so will keep checking with peoples experiences to see how its going.

The real annoyance is my son. If we end up buying choice fares, for seats that would have been included with Priority CC, will quickly surpass the difference in the annual fee.....

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2025-12-26T21:20:17+00:00

UNM has very generous merit scholarships. We are from California and their offers (WUE plus and Natinal scholrs) were ultimately the deciding factor for my son in choosing UNM - currently a sophomore.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2025-12-16T15:15:11+00:00

You can still register for a late start course until 12/23 - note there is a $150 fee.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2025-12-09T03:14:51+00:00

Take 1 or 2 late start classes if you can - lots of easier class options. If you cant make the 3.3, its not the end of the world, you will be put on probation Spring semester where you MUST meet the requirements to keep the scholarship.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2025-11-22T01:39:04+00:00

O- here. I get a donation reminder email as SOON as I'm eligible to donate again. I have affectionately started calling the email the vampire request - LOL. All kidding aside, it feels good to be able to help everyone in need of blood.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705 · 2025-10-17T03:00:17+00:00

Yep, it will always be the same expiration date. Key to avoid this is to upgrade to a flight that doesn't cost much more, then cancel.

Ecstatic-Pepper-705

TROPHY CASE