Moving back to USA on the cheap

[redforeva]

Broke-ass grad student moving back to California in June 2010.

Yes, I have looked around on Google. Too much noise so I figured I'd ask people in the know.

1) What are your recommendations for cheap shipping? I have about 100lbs of 'stuff' to ship back. Nothing extremely fragile. Long transit OK. Ever used any terminal-to-terminal service?

2) Cheap source to buy one-way ticket back: online or local travel agent? Any tips appreciated.

[Splatted]

LOL, this has to be the laziest method of organizing one's return back home.

[redforeva]

LOL, this has to be the laziest method of organizing one's return back home.

You say lazy, I say efficient.

What's an overworked, underpaid gal to do? I just want OUT!

[Strong Eagle]

It is the worst time of the year to pay for airline flights... June = high season and you will pay a significant premium. Play around on United Airline website with different dates... probably the cheapest airline and cheapest dates should be end of August onwards.

You could try zuji.com.sg for travel but I've found airline websites to be as cheap or cheaper. I can tell you that a round trip flight on June 8 will cost you US$ 1432 or more, depending on airline, and about 70 percent of that one way. Fly off season for US$ 1000 or less.

For one hundred pounds of stuff, the cheapest way is to pack one suitcase for you and pay the airlines for a second and third. You'll find that freight forwarders, no matter what the transport method, will be more expensive.

[sundaymorningstaple]

SE, I'd say probably would be better mid-September as the school year starts in the first week of September so late vacationers would be trying to get back for school. Course with the current economy, there might not be that many school aged kids traveling with parents on overseas destinations anyway, so, yeah, play with dates.

[irvine]

What's the price difference between the flight ticket in June and in Sept?

Is it worth more than 3 months of rent + food and most importantly your sanity?

For airlines, you may also try Northwest or Eva, or even China Airlines.

[Splatted]

What's the price difference between the flight ticket in June and in Sept?

Is it worth more than 3 months of rent + food and most importantly your sanity?

For airlines, you may also try Northwest or Eva, or even China Airlines.

I had the same/similar dilemma just prior to moving to Singapore the first time.

Do I wait week/month on end for the 'best price' selling my 2 year old car, with all the ongoing costs of rent , food etc whittling away at my savings..

or do I cut my losses and just accept any 'reasonable' offer in a saturated used car market....

I chose to sell my car $1500 below what it was worth

[wcs]

Offer someone cash to buy you a one way ticket with their frequent flier points. Just realise that there will be no flexibility, so if you need to change you would lose out a lot! You would still have to pay the taxes though.

But at least you can negotiate. You would have to show some familiarity with the person buying you the ticket for some airlines though.

Good Luck!

[redforeva]

[quote="irvine"]Is it worth more than 3 months of rent + food and most importantly your sanity?

Thanks for all the tips here.

For shipment, I actually have 100 lbs above my alloted 2 suitcases. Sorry if that was unclear. I'd still check that option.

Good cheap flights tips. Will follow up.

Thanks. I knew y'all come through!

[AngMohForeignTalent]

. Ever used any terminal-to-terminal service?

Yes, much cheaper than the door-to-door option.
True, when I got a notice from the shipping company which among other things said "please have your customs broker prepare an entry immediatelly" I started panicking (what is a customs broker?? what entry??), but it turned out the whole process of picking up your stuff and doing the paper work is quite simple.

2) Cheap source to buy one-way ticket back: online or local travel agent? Any tips appreciated.

kayak.com
momondo.com

[imrankassim]

LOL, this has to be the laziest method of organizing one's return back home.

Hahaha

[imrankassim]

Is it worth more than 3 months of rent + food and most importantly your sanity?

Thanks for all the tips here.

For shipment, I actually have 100 lbs above my alloted 2 suitcases. Sorry if that was unclear. I'd still check that option.

Good cheap flights tips. Will follow up.

Thanks. I knew y'all come through!

Try checking excess baggage rates for your suitcases with the airlines first. I remember being able to purchase excess baggage rates off BA's website, but I dont think theyll be the best option from SIN to LA lol.

If all fails and your suitcases weigh more than 45kg in combined weight, then get an agent to ship door to door by airfreight. Don't ever opt for the seafreight option unless you want you bags to arrive in a month.