Airfare price with travel in less then 9 days

[Sandie511]

Has anyone ever found good airfare just 9 days from travel? My husband, my son and myself will be going to Florida (PBH) on August 8th. Just today we start thinking maybe our 14-year-old son can bring a friend with. The big problem may be the airfare. We paid via Southwest $144.00 roundtrip (non-stop) and for the same flight it is now $382.00. So my question is. Do the airlines ever drop the price at this short of a time? As my son’s friend obliviously would have to take the same flight as we are.
Arrrrrg, I wish we had thought about this about a month ago.

Thanks for any input.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

They are showing decent airfares for your date of departure.
I am coming up with 218.00. I am guessing you are leaving from Chicago.

You may have to rebook your air, or wait for the friend to arrive at a later time and send him home earlier.

[XStAnt]

The airlines usually don't lower fares that close to the flight. If anything, they will probably go up even more.

Some airlines let you sign up to receive an email about last minute specials. However, they usually require you to leave on a Saturday and return on Monday or Tuesday. Usually they are for flights that have a lot of capacity, so if your flight is nearly full it probably won't be offered.

Your other option is to try priceline. However, when you do that you don't get to pick your airline or flight time. You could leave anytime that day, on any major airline. You also agree to have at least one connection. That doesn't mean you will have a connecting flight, just that you might get one. However, if your times are flexible you can save a lot of money. For more info on using priceline go to www.biddingfortravel.com. It will give you tips for bidding, a strategy to maximize your chances of getting a cheap fare, and provide info on how much other people bid for flights.

Good luck.

[Lewisc]

People seem to be buying/selling SWA RR tickets on E-Bay. I think the going price is around $300.

SWA (as all airlines) overbook their flights. If you wait too long the fare may go up to full fare or the flight may even be full.

I don't think it'll help you but SW offers discounted same day fares with some cities
http://www.iflyswa.com/about_swa/press/prindex.html
press release 6/20/2003

Doesn't help much but I figure $200 is about a "normal" fare to FL which is probably about the average you're group will be paying.

[Taurus]

Does Airtran fly from your area? They have a sale on now.

[Taurus]

Oops sorry, I just re-read your post. Didn't mean to suggest the friend should travel on a different airline! Goodluck

[trustknoone]

Try calling SWA direct and explain to them that you have an additional child traveling with you and you just might be able to talk them into a ticket at the same price you have on the others. The worst that could happen is that they say no. :-)

Angela