Booking Was Harder Than I Thought!

Today was the day--gotta book that flight to Mexico City!

Doing so was not easy.

I've been tracking hotels and flights on Expedia for more than a week.  I've known what I want--which flights, and where I want to stay.  Today I hopped on Expedia to book it.

I got my hotel, I got the type of room I've wanted, I got the flights.  When I click on the button to pay I got a message that "the flight you selected is no longer available".  Which flight, outbound or inbound?  There was no indication.

So I went back to the reservation and changed the outbound flight, and still got the error message.  I went back to the reservation and changed the inbound flight, and still got the message.  What sort of fresh hell is this?  I tried it several times and got the same problem each time.  Are none of these flights valid?  And if not, why do they show up?

I went to a discount web site I periodically use, but no good came of it.  Decided to try to book directly through the Aeromexico web site.

The hotel I'd chosen on Expedia was available, but one I hadn't previously seen was on the Aeromexico site.  I was able to get a larger room with a king size bed for only $50 more, and this option wasn't available at the other hotel I considered.  This one also did not offer a free walking tour of the historic downtown area, but my guide book and the internet can handle that.

So I booked it.  There were a few glitches, like my credit card not going through--but after several minutes I figured out that my credit card company was texting me during each attempt to see if the charge was legitimate.  Good call!

Then I had to pay for baggage, and for an emergency exit seat on the one flight leg during which I'll be awake and able to appreciate the extra room!  I have aisle seats on each flight, which is nice for someone of my age.

The 6 day trip will cost me about $2000, which is a lot for a week, but my plan is to get the most out of that week--including a balloon ride over the pyramids at Teotihuacan!  I'll be sure to have the video camera batteries charged for that!  And a friend of mine from Guadalajara may be able to zip over for a day or two, or perhaps we will be able to meet for lunch at the airport during my 4-hour Guadalajara layover on my way home.

I just checked the safe and I have 590 pesos (about $28 US) from my last trip to Mexico.  That should tide me over until I get to an ATM machine in the city.

Now I just have to get through the next week of school, and avoid injury and illness!