Prices for flights always fluctuate. I always recommend booking at least THREE weeks before the event. Prices tend to increase as the weekend gets closer, so I always book my flights on Monday/Tuesday around 11am PST.

Basic Economy is a tier of tickets that most major airlines offer. It is great bang for the buck, but you do lose many privileges. 1. You won't be able to choose your seats, they will be assigned to you after you check in. 2. You will be the last group seated. This affects whether or not you have a carry-on bag. Sometimes overhead space runs out and they will force you to check in your carry-on bag (Free of charge). 3. Most major alirlines include a free carry on bag + personal item. Some airlines may charge you for a carry on. Make sure to check the rules before booking. 4. Non refundable. All airlines allow 24 hours cancellation free of charge for ticket purchasing. Sometimes you will be able to negotiate your way after the 24 hours, but it is a hard no refund policy for basic economy. I do think Basic Economy is a great option, especially traveling solo since you won't have seat selection to sit with your travel buddies. It is a great, no frills solution to getting yourself to a tournament on a strict budget.

My personal favorite is Delta Airlines. The amenities that each Delta plane provides are usually pretty nice. Other airlines I fly are JetBlue (most seat space for Economy flights), American Airlines, Alaska (took over Virgin America Airlines which used to be my #1), and United. My biggest recommendation is to NOT fly Spirit Airlines. Don't be tempted by their prices. They charge a fee for EVERYTHING, even printing out a boarding ticket. They have terrible customer service. I.E. If you miss your flight, you will have to buy a completely new ticket. Other major airlines would normally put you on standby for the next available flight.

It is best to speak to customer service of your airline either at the counter at the airport or call it in. Most major airlines will put you on standby on the next available flight. (Unless you're flying Spirit, then you have to purchase another ticket most likely). Although you're not "guaranteed" a spot on the next flight since you're on standby, the agent normally puts you on a flight with high chances of making it off the waitlist. Look for other available flights to close by airports. For example, if I miss my flight back home to LAX and other flights are full to LAX, I normally ask for other flights to nearby airports such as LGB, SNA, BUR, or ONT. Make sure you learn of other airports near your hometown!

General Rules: When not checking in a bag, you have more freedom to make it to your gate. The ABSOLUTE deadline is 15 minutes before departure time. Gates close 15 minutes before departure time and they make NO exceptions to this rule. When checking in a bag, your absolute deadline is 45 minutes before departure time. They will not accept your bag after 45 minutes, which also means you won't be making it onto your flight. Because of this, I do my best to only bring a carry on with me to tournaments. More sleep!

With how tournaments are selling out nowadays, I always recommend booking immediately through the tournament website if possible. The hotel rates that tournaments offer are unbeatable. The options listed on this website are only to offer other affordable alternatives to venue hotels once they are sold out. Keep in mind that most tournament hotels are fully refundable until a certain date, so you can always reserve and cancel later if you change your mind!

If you have someone in your travel group that is 25 and older, I highly recommend renting a car. It is the most cost efficient and reliable way to get around town. You get charged a hefty daily fee if you are a driver under 25 years old unfortunately. If not, some hotels offer shuttles that take you to places within a 5 mile radius. There Uber is also an option, but fares can get expensive. Make sure to group up and plan ahead!

Here is my general list: In the venue: Backpack for your controller/arcade stick, government ID, some form of currency, water bottle (there are water refill stations at the venue usually), hand sanitizer, protein bar/small snacks For hotel rooms: Body wash, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, DEODORANT Remember if you're flying and only bringing a carry-on bag, liquids must be in a container 3.4fl oz or less. No hair spray/aerosols allowed on planes!