Cheapest way to travel for interviews

[Acoustica]

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Since interview season is coming up, anyone have any recommendations and advice on how to save money with booking flights and rooms?

 

[Ironmandoc]

Book flights about 6 weeks ahead of time, as ticket prices bottom out around this time (check out ClarkHoward.com travel advisor).

Stay with med students if possible. Not only does it save you some money, but you get a cool perspective on things. Just remember to buy them dinner or a case of beer for their hospitality.

 

[davidbm95]

Southwest has the cheapest flights.

 

[JESSFALLING]

 

[deleted127837]

.

 

[zwitterion34]

Amtrak. New Orleans to Seattle only takes a week.

how much is the ticket?

 

[kpcrew]

Ask if the school has the option of staying with a current student. You can probably get good advice and information.

 

[joeDO2]

priceline bidding has worked pretty well for me. usually you can get a decent 3 star hotel for about $50 depending on the area. as far as flights, southwest and jetblue seem to have the lower fares.

 

[kduck]

Explore all possible options; look into 2 one-way flights instead of a round-trip ticket, to give yourself the freedom to choose 2 different airlines that may have the best prices each way. If possible, do multiple interviews that are geographically close together at once to have fewer flights. Accumulate miles/points on every airline you fly and use them to buy tickets later on.

 

[Renaissance Man]

Most schools offer deals with local hotels, which are definitely worth taking advantage of. A bit of unwanted advice: sign up for all of the frequent flyer programs you can. They can add up by the end of the cycle.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

SouthWest Credit Card. I know this sounds weird but if you sign up for a southwest credit card they give you 25,000 points (it used to be 50,000...AMAZING). 25,000 points is enough to book around 3 round trip flights if you book early enough. The only catch is that the card has a $100 annual fee. But if you get the card and use it for one year then cancel you're basically getting 3 round trip flights for $100. Some people aren't comfortable with the whole credit card perks idea but its super easy and worked for me

 

[jlayers2]

how much is the ticket?

Lol, I took amtrak once out to Wyoming and the train was 5.5 hours late both ways...

Not to mention I will have a busy schedule during my senior year so I need quick flights in and out 🙂

 

[kami333]

SouthWest Credit Card. I know this sounds weird but if you sign up for a southwest credit card they give you 25,000 points (it used to be 50,000...AMAZING). 25,000 points is enough to book around 3 round trip flights if you book early enough. The only catch is that the card has a $100 annual fee. But if you get the card and use it for one year then cancel you're basically getting 3 round trip flights for $100. Some people aren't comfortable with the whole credit card perks idea but its super easy and worked for me

50000points is still available with $1000 spend (should be pretty easy considering secondaries).

http://www.mychasecreditcards.com/southwest/2ffpartnersplus


There's also the United Explorer card that offers 40000 or 50000 miles (roundtrip saver rewards travel within the 48states is 20000miles).


If you fly, keep in mind transportation costs to/from the airport as well especially for cities that have multiple airports.

 

[jlayers2]

SouthWest Credit Card. I know this sounds weird but if you sign up for a southwest credit card they give you 25,000 points (it used to be 50,000...AMAZING). 25,000 points is enough to book around 3 round trip flights if you book early enough. The only catch is that the card has a $100 annual fee. But if you get the card and use it for one year then cancel you're basically getting 3 round trip flights for $100. Some people aren't comfortable with the whole credit card perks idea but its super easy and worked for me

Nice tip, thanks

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

 

[Jojokarade]

SouthWest Credit Card. I know this sounds weird but if you sign up for a southwest credit card they give you 25,000 points (it used to be 50,000...AMAZING). 25,000 points is enough to book around 3 round trip flights if you book early enough. The only catch is that the card has a $100 annual fee. But if you get the card and use it for one year then cancel you're basically getting 3 round trip flights for $100. Some people aren't comfortable with the whole credit card perks idea but its super easy and worked for me

Be careful if you really care about your credit score. Having a card for a year and then canceling it can lower your score. That being said, if you want this card for the long term, this is a great card.

 

[LizzyM]

Trains in the US are great, IMHO for trips of under 6 hours... Beyond that, the discomfort and the likelihood of being delayed and the customer service goes down the tubes. Over the same distances, some people also like Megabus and the buses that travel between Chinatowns as alternatives to train travel.

 

[jlayers2]

Trains in the US are great, IMHO for trips of under 6 hours... Beyond that, the discomfort and the likelihood of being delayed and the customer service goes down the tubes. Over the same distances, some people also like Megabus and the buses that travel between Chinatowns as alternatives to train travel.

Maybe if you don't own a car

 

[LizzyM]

Maybe if you don't own a car

Maybe if you enjoy focusing on the road for 6 hours and dealing with traffic, weather, road conditions and road construction, speed traps, the possibility of breakdowns and all the rest. You can get a lot done in 6 hours from the seat of a train.

 

[jlayers2]

Maybe if you enjoy focusing on the road for 6 hours and dealing with traffic, weather, road conditions and road construction, speed traps, the possibility of breakdowns and all the rest. You can get a lot done in 6 hours from the seat of a train.

That's a really good point. The last time I went for a long car trip my neck felt horrendous for the next two weeks and it was extremely stressful with the weather and what not.

 

[deleted103644]

Trains in the US are great, IMHO for trips of under 6 hours... Beyond that, the discomfort and the likelihood of being delayed and the customer service goes down the tubes. Over the same distances, some people also like Megabus and the buses that travel between Chinatowns as alternatives to train travel.

Megabus is often faster than Amtrak for reasons that boggle the mind.

Trains in the US are far from great, although they do beat driving 6 hours.

Also, discount airlines are often cheaper than long distance trains, so don't even look into Amtrak beyond the NE corridor - really not worth it.

 

[xoxx]

If you are not claustrophobic and do not mind having to bring your own water and peanuts then:
http://www.spirit.com/
Is the way to go. They are CRAZY cheap, and CRAZY poor quality.
But in terms of getting you from point A to point B, they will get you there 98% of the time.

 

[Omppu27]

If you are not claustrophobic and do not mind having to bring your own water and peanuts then:
http://www.spirit.com/
Is the way to go. They are CRAZY cheap, and CRAZY poor quality.
But in terms of getting you from point A to point B, they will get you there 98% of the time.

hahahaha i want to ride in one just for the experience

 

[NewYorker9]

SouthWest Credit Card. I know this sounds weird but if you sign up for a southwest credit card they give you 25,000 points (it used to be 50,000...AMAZING). 25,000 points is enough to book around 3 round trip flights if you book early enough. The only catch is that the card has a $100 annual fee. But if you get the card and use it for one year then cancel you're basically getting 3 round trip flights for $100. Some people aren't comfortable with the whole credit card perks idea but its super easy and worked for me

if this works that's great!

 

[Narmerguy]

Maybe if you enjoy focusing on the road for 6 hours and dealing with traffic, weather, road conditions and road construction, speed traps, the possibility of breakdowns and all the rest. You can get a lot done in 6 hours from the seat of a train.

Yeeeeeeeeees! One summer when I was working in San Francisco I took public transport for about 2 hours a day (round trip). The amount of reading/work I got finished in a week was amazing. I'm determined never to drive again after that experience 😛

If you are not claustrophobic and do not mind having to bring your own water and peanuts then:
http://www.spirit.com/
Is the way to go. They are CRAZY cheap, and CRAZY poor quality.
But in terms of getting you from point A to point B, they will get you there 98% of the time.

 

[kavorca]

SouthWest Credit Card. I know this sounds weird but if you sign up for a southwest credit card they give you 25,000 points (it used to be 50,000...AMAZING). 25,000 points is enough to book around 3 round trip flights if you book early enough. The only catch is that the card has a $100 annual fee. But if you get the card and use it for one year then cancel you're basically getting 3 round trip flights for $100. Some people aren't comfortable with the whole credit card perks idea but its super easy and worked for me

This was definitely the most popular method I saw on the interview trail.

 

[LizzyM]

Megabus is often faster than Amtrak for reasons that boggle the mind.

Trains in the US are far from great, although they do beat driving 6 hours.

Also, discount airlines are often cheaper than long distance trains, so don't even look into Amtrak beyond the NE corridor - really not worth it.

The Midwest also has some satisfactory train & bus service between major cities (e.g. St. Louis to Chicago).

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Apparition is the cheapest by far, but if you haven't passed your test, Floo Powder is the next best thing. I believe most US medical schools are now connected to the Floo Network.

 

[UrshumMurshum]

I suggest hitchhiking.

 

[catzzz88]

One year ahead of time: buy a ticket to every school you apply to for every week that they may offer interviews. It will be super cheap.

Then, once you gain some interviews, slowly cancel flights to schools you are rejected from and flights on the dates you are not interviewing, getting all of your money back.

You can save thousands.

Best,
C

 

[Renaissance Man]

Trains in the US are far from great, although they do beat driving 6 hours.

Maybe it is just me but I never thought that a 6 hour drive was that bad...

 

[TheShaker]

Apparition is the cheapest by far, but if you haven't passed your test, Floo Powder is the next best thing. I believe most US medical schools are now connected to the Floo Network.

Dude, just ride a ****ing dragon. Go big or go home.

 

[CsHead]

Maybe it is just me but I never thought that a 6 hour drive was that bad...

It isn't... I am not sure what the deal is with thinking six hours is bad... 😕

 

[milski]

Get hired as a flight attendant, use your travel benefits to attend interviews. As an extra credit: considering how much you're going to get paid during your first year, you might as well pass that as volunteering.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Get hired as a flight attendant, use your travel benefits to attend interviews. As an extra credit: considering how much you're going to get paid during your first year, you might as well pass that as volunteering.

I wasn't a flight attendant, but did work for a major airline with full flight benefits. I couldn't use my own airline to fly to interviews though since I needed to take some sick days so that it didn't look suspicious.

Back on topic, mid-week interviews are probably best. Try flying on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

 

[jjesque]

If you are not claustrophobic and do not mind having to bring your own water and peanuts then:
http://www.spirit.com/
Is the way to go. They are CRAZY cheap, and CRAZY poor quality.
But in terms of getting you from point A to point B, they will get you there 98% of the time.

I booked a flight with them for one of my interviews. Just know that the price on the website does NOT include carry on or check-in luggage. Basically, you're allowed one small bag that must be able to fit under the seat in front of you -- anything else costs extra, and the fees are exorbitant (like $40 per bag for each way). I ended up wearing my suit on the plane and carrying a small backpack with supplies because I wasn't about to fold my suit into a tiny bag.

Not sure what you mean by poor quality -- most domestic airlines seem the same to me -- but for short flights it really doesn't matter what "quality" of airline you fly.

 

[xoxx]

I booked a flight with them for one of my interviews. Just know that the price on the website does NOT include carry on or check-in luggage. Basically, you're allowed one small bag that must be able to fit under the seat in front of you -- anything else costs extra, and the fees are exorbitant (like $40 per bag for each way). I ended up wearing my suit on the plane and carrying a small backpack with supplies because I wasn't about to fold my suit into a tiny bag.

Not sure what you mean by poor quality -- most domestic airlines seem the same to me -- but for short flights it really doesn't matter what "quality" of airline you fly.

Yes, they will nickel and dime you the WHOLE way. I wouldn't be surprised if they charge $3 each time you need to use the bathroom.

Don't bring any carry on, wear your clothing for the interview. If you are going to need extra, mail yourself the clothing to the hotel you will be staying at. USPS Priority mail will be like $20. Will save you $20 or so.