The stock market hasn't been all that good to you; the economy isn't looking any better; who knows, your job could be the next on the cutting block; Austin is so far away and then there's the hassle of the airport after that fateful day last year.
But take heart! Attending Warpstock doesn't have to cost the thousands you may think it would. In fact, you can have an "all expenses paid trip" for around $500. I did, and I'll show you how too. Who knows? if you're really savvy, you might even pull it off for a couple hundred less.
There are a variety of online sites that offer discount rates on tickets. The airlines charge up to 50% less than market price for some flights. In exchange for lower fares, they receive a guaranteed payment on a seat that might otherwise be left empty (cancellations and refunds are not allowed.) Some of the most popular names in this business are Priceline http://www.priceline.com, Orbitz, http://www.orbitz.com and Hotwire http://www.hotwire.com [These don't work for Canadians - Ed.] Flying from my home in DC to Austin, I assumed that prices were going to be outrageous. The first site I checked out, a web site for a major US carrier, wanted nearly $350 for a round-trip ticket. The next, a well known travel agency, was just as bad. I started seeing some better results at Orbitz, which quoted a price around $280, but I was hoping I could do better so I tried Hotwire. The prices there were significantly better; I was quoted $225 but I was still hoped to do a little better. The last site I tried was Priceline. Priceline is probably the best known/most advertised of all the online travel sites (with William Shatner on the mike). What turned me off about them was their pricing structure. Anyone who's seen the commercials knows how Priceline works. You bid on your ticket and if the airlines accept your bid, it's yours. Unfortunately, Priceline also requires you to give your credit card information before you bid. If they accept your bid, you are obligated to pay for the seat, whether you are on the plane or not. A person looking for a deal will do just about anything, though. So, with dreams of a $150 round-trip in my head, I put in my information and bid. Priceline then warned me that my chances of winning the bid with my $150 were slim. I don't know if it was a ploy to get more money out of me or not, but I raised my bid to $180 and continued on. Fifteen minutes later, I was informed that my bid was accepted. After handling, taxes and other fees (the initial quotes you see on discount sites never include these) my total came out to $225. That's about $150 less than the major carrier wanted for the same flight.
This isn't just comparison shopping, though. There are some tricks that will get you lower prices and give you a better chance of catching the flight you want. Always make the selection to allow for "redeye" or off-hours flights. Allow the maximum number of connecting flights the site provides (most max out at 3). Flying at strange hours and making multiple connections is something many travelers don't want to deal with; it's also something the airlines will give you deep discounts on. With these options set, I have 2 connecting flights: one in St. Louis and the other in Dallas. My flight even leaves at a reasonable time, 1:00 PM, so I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn or be on the plane throughout the night.
There is, of course, another option: driving. I've heard many people talk about driving, and I even considered it myself. Unfortunately, driving is only a viable option if you live within a day's travel of Austin. Why? Because if you add up the price of gas, food and an overnight motel, the cost comes out to as much as or more than a flight. Still, if two or more attendees are willing to travel together, it can save you a few bucks (if you're willing to drive for two days and listen to your companions' rants about their problems installing Warp 3 on a Mac).
Sadly, both the train (Amtrak) and bus (Greyhound) are noncompetitive. The train costs as much as a plane, but takes up to two days. The bus, although half the price, may take up to four days.
What that means is that if you share a room with a friend you only wind up paying $64 a night. That's a great rate for staying in a top class hotel. Not only do you get to enjoy a nice hotel and convenient access to the convention; you help out the Warpstock committee in meeting its hotel contractual terms as well. If you don't have a friend to room with you can find one on the Warpstock Roommates list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarpstockRoomates/). The cut off date for discount rates is September 13th, but you should still ask for the discount after that date.
Maybe you are unfortunate enough to have missed discount registration or can't find a roommate. After some searching at http://www.discounthotels.com I found the perfect place. The Homestead Studio Suites in Arboretum http://www.homesteadhotels.com had a nice, simple room for $41 a night. A queen-size bed, TV and the best part...a full kitchen. This will allow me to pick up food at one of the local grocery marts...a far less expensive proposition than eating out three meals a day (gotta snack too!). The Homestead Arboretum is only 2 miles from Warpstock (directions) (http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?2n=TRAVIS&1g=qp5M1n3kE1U%3d&1y=US&2a=9721%20Arboretum%20B...">http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?2n=TRAVIS&1g=qp5M1n3kE1U%3d&1y=US&2a=9721%20Arboretum%20Blvd&1z=78758%2d7674&2s=TX&2c=Austin&1l=C8lfZcucko0%3d&1n=TRAVIS&2g=3Qwf7cI2p1I%3d&1a=9100%20Waterford%20Centre%20Blvd&2y=US&2z=78759%2d6316&1s=TX&1c=Austin&2l=%2btRdR%2fqhxGM%3d&go=1&ct=NA">http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?2n=TRAVIS&1g=qp5M1n3kE1U%3d&1y=US&2a=9721%20Arboretum%20B).
A short enough distance for a nice walk or to have a fellow attendee stop by and pick you up. There are also many fine eating establishments in the area of both hotels. (Austin City Search.) (http://austin.citysearch.com/search/?dlink=1&cats=2&cslink=cs_restaurants_by_neighborhood&ref_uri=%2Fsearch%2F&sorted=&type=dgrid&context=restaurants&neighborhood=Arboretum+Neighborhood+in+Austin&miles=5).
In addition, both the Homestead Arboretum and the Marriott are only 17 miles from the Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) airport. (Directions.) (http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&ct=NA&1y=US&1a=3600+Presidential+Boulevard&1p=&1c=austin&1s=tx&1z=78719&1ah=&2y=US&2a=9721+Arboretum+Blvd&2p=&2c=austin&2s=tx&2z=78759&2ah=&lr=2&x=58&y=17)
There's a hotel shuttle (http://www.supershuttle.com/htm/cities/aus.htm#Sample) to Arboretum from the airport for only $15. It's also close enough to catch a cab if you can't catch the shuttle. Once you're in the area, you probably will not need transportation again until you leave.
There are many more ways to minimize expense than I've noted here. Austin is a wonderful city that may make a great Vacation-Warpstock getaway for your and your family. Check out the Austin travel guides at http://www.austin.worldweb.com and www.tripadvisor.com (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g30196-Austin_Texas-Vacations.html).
Now go out there and register for Warpstock http://www.warpstock.com. I can't wait to see YOU there!
PS: Got a good cost saving idea for Warpstock attendees? Let me know.
This article is courtesy of www.os2ezine.com. You can view it online at http://www.os2ezine.com/20020916/page_4.html.