I remember you! Let’s see what’s what…

1) Have you signed up for fare alerts? Bing, Airfarewatchdog, Expedia, etc. — get at least 2.

2) Best I see currently is $980 July 3-17, Vayama.com to/from CDG on Icelandair, which connects via Iceland each way. If you’re not happy with that, then make it your benchmark and wait for sales. I’d want to book late June outbound by early May at latest. Sure would be a lot simpler/better to return from Switzerland though, wouldn’t it? I’d add BSL and GVA to your search.

Thanks Don, yes I have the alerts. Yes, we would definitely want open jaw. I can’t believe how much more expensive it is since our last trip in 2003, WOW. In the past I always had good luck finding sale or mistake-type fares <$500, but I’m guessing those days are over. Where are the best places to look daily for fares these days, I am so out of the loop. ITA? Bing?

ITA and Bing aren’t bad, but to include some consolidators, add Kayak to that. I usually start with ITA, then run exact itineraries through BookingBuddy’s sites, and then check Flights.com and 1800FlyEurope. I wish there were truly 1 place that would search everything with just 1 input, but BookingBuddy comes closest. I also like Cfares.

You might still find something less than $980 — time is on your side to watch and wait and be ready to pounce if something extraordinary does pop up. But considering fuel surcharges and taxes account for $200-$400 (typically) on transatlantic flights, sub-$1000 in summer is hard to do now.

If Iceland Express comes back to Boston for summer ’12, then that might be your best hope.

Thank you Don! I will start checking those daily.

Hi Monique, I remember you too! You were a fine contributor to Cheap Flights.
Just wanted to let you know that my son’s girlfriend used Icelandair out of Orlando to CDG in September, and everything was great for her.

Thanks, Cil! Would love to hear any advice about France (didn’t your son live there at one time?).

Yes, he has been living in Paris for almost 4 years now. We visited him there in 2009, and on Tuesday we got back home from a trip that included Toulouse. Would be glad to offer advice, our 2009 trip was pretty extensive, plus the kid is a nice host to know in Paris, he and his girlfriend have taken care of friends of ours more than once. When you know more about your trip, message me or we can talk about it in Favorite Places.
Oh, and now I have another kid in Spain.

Wow, lucky you, more excuses to travel!! I will post in favorite places.

Is there any method to recreating the fares seen on Kayak’s flex month ‘Best fares found in the past 4h hours’? Every day I see something interesting but I can never find that. Still don’t have tickets for this trip, have been hoping they would go down to the 900s but right now they are sticking to the 1150+.

I hear you. I’m hardly ever able to recreate those fares. Since they are the lowest possible, tons of conditions probably need to be met. Maybe Don could be of more insight.

Fly.com multi-city flight search >>

BOS>ZRH 28 June
MAD>BOS 12 July
$1112 via Expedia. 1 quick connection via Madrid to Zurich. Nonstop coming back.

Thanks Don. Last night I found $1026 BOS – CDG direct on Air France/Delta for many days in July, and BOS-ZRH was also available for under $1100. I think this is going to be the best I will find. The direct flight over is really a plus. I have to get my act together, chose the days and book. Problem is I can’t seem to decide on the itinerary… Is there any place to search for a calendar of fares besides ITA? I can’t seem to find any and it drives me crazy.

Hotwire has a 30 day fare calendar for stays up to 16 days. Next-best are the +/- 3 day searches with Orbitz and Lastminute. Once you find dates to zero-in on, run those dates and cities through Travelgrove, Cfares, and Momondo.