SouthWest group fares

[Goofy4]

Since I've been (not so) patiently waiting for SouthWest to extend their "now taking reservations through" date, I thought I would ask:

Generally, are the group fares competitive with their best "special" fares? It would seem odd to pay much more than the advertised best rate -- which I know are limited.

I'm hoping that their next cut-off date doesn't fall in-between our to-Orlando and return flights. If so, does it make any sense to book the flights to Orlando separate from the return. Worst case, we just get stuck in Orlando, right? pirate:

Thanks

[4greatboys]

I called about group rates last year for our big family trip last June. The group rates were about the same as the lowest advertised fare at the time. We did just book the first part one way while waiting for the return flights to open up. You must be buying 10 seats to get the group rate.

[BahamaPapa]

Agree with above poster.

Group fares on most airlines are at the lowest fare (or 5% below in some cases).

For SW, this is usually not worth the trouble, since they have such a large number of discount seats typically.

It is worth the trouble if you are travelling on another airline, however. For instance, US Air will typically match the SW fare on many FL routes, but may only have six seats per segment at that price. With a group fare, you get that restriction waived. One note---the fares on other airlines will not drop until the SW schedule is released, so it does little to call early. The one exception is where you catch a special sale fare.

BP

[madge]

I called about group rates last year for our big family trip last June. The group rates were about the same as the lowest advertised fare at the time. We did just book the first part one way while waiting for the return flights to open up. You must be buying 10 seats to get the group rate.

what happens if the fare drops and you've booked with group sales? it isn't like ticketless travel when you get a flight credit, at least that's what the lady at SWA told me. I just didn't understand what happens if the fare does go down.

thanks! :)

[4greatboys]

Its my impression the group rates dont change. Now the fares we were quoted were just a tad under the lowest fare so that wasnt an issue us.

[Magical-Memories]

Does anyone have any general idea on when SouthWest will extend their reservation dates? I've been checking every day for over a month. We don't fly as a family often (this will actually be the first time)...so I have never paid attention before.

Thanks!
Gin

[zodiacsign]

I am interested in this too. If anyone knows

[shelly3girls]

I spoke to group reservations just yesterday. I was told that the lowest fares (promotional) are not discounted at all. You basically get the available rate which is then discounted if you end up paying Advance Purchase fares or higher. The discount starts at 5% up to 10%, the more you pay the larger the discount. The only real advantage is the freedom to reserve tickets paying on a payment plan not paid in full until 45 days prior to departure and the ease of changing names on the tickets.

[madge]

I spoke to group reservations just yesterday. I was told that the lowest fares (promotional) are not discounted at all. You basically get the available rate which is then discounted if you end up paying Advance Purchase fares or higher. The discount starts at 5% up to 10%, the more you pay the larger the discount. The only real advantage is the freedom to reserve tickets paying on a payment plan not paid in full until 45 days prior to departure and the ease of changing names on the tickets.


I have read this 3 times and I am not getting it, LOL....having a major blonde moment, I think!

The group fare is discounted from the Advanced Purchase fare? You can't get a lower fare? :confused3 Is it cheaper to hope for an online fare sale?

[PooohBear]

I'm not sure what Shelly3girls is speaking of, but, as far as Southwest goes, when you see a great rate, call group sales and you will get $10.00 off that rate, PER PERSON ... I know this because I just found a great rate, called group sales and was quoted a rate that was $10 cheaper than the internet rate I saw !

[Goofy4]

I have read this 3 times and I am not getting it, LOL....having a major blonde moment, I think!

Reminds me of when I called Southwest a few months ago. I tried to get out of them if the Group Rate was on par with their best rate. The person was simply not understanding my question. It was a "who's on first" moment.

From what I took from the post, Southwest doesn't discount the promotional rate for groups, only the "Advanced" rate.

Does that mean that if the Promo rate is available, they'll use that instead of the Advanced rate? What if they only have 5 seats at the Promo rate and you have a group of 15?

[madge]

I'm not sure what Shelly3girls is speaking of, but, as far as Southwest goes, when you see a great rate, call group sales and you will get $10.00 off that rate, PER PERSON ... I know this because I just found a great rate, called group sales and was quoted a rate that was $10 cheaper than the internet rate I saw !

ok--this sounds more along the line of what the agent at SWA told me last week. She said they would adjust the fare if I saw it cheaper. My question is this--how is that credit given? The agent specifically told me that travelling with a group would not be ticketless travel and what tickets we didn't use, we lose.

I know I have a little time, our group travel isn't until January....but we plant to travel over the MLK weekend, so I plan to book ASAP after the fares are released and hope for a discount....if that is possible.

[shelly3girls]

Sorry, what she told me is that they will offer me the best rate available at the time that you call but that they only give a discount to that rate if it is not a promotional rate. We have a group of 10 and she told me that unless the promotional rates were sold out then there was no price advantage for booking through group sales. She did not mention anything about $10 off.

[PooohBear]

ok--this sounds more along the line of what the agent at SWA told me last week. She said they would adjust the fare if I saw it cheaper. My question is this--how is that credit given? The agent specifically told me that travelling with a group would not be ticketless travel and what tickets we didn't use, we lose.

I know I have a little time, our group travel isn't until January....but we plant to travel over the MLK weekend, so I plan to book ASAP after the fares are released and hope for a discount....if that is possible.


That's a good question ! I didn't get the details on that

What I did was wait until the fair was the lowest that I thought I could get and called as soon as I saw it (I checked the SouthWest site everyday)... Now I called about 3 weeks ago and my initial deposit isn't due until the end of this month, so I have not given any deposit or anything as far as payment to SouthWest yet, so I am going to keep checking the site until the very last second before my deposit is due, and if the rate changes I will try to get the credit adjusted before making any payment, if that doesn't work I will cancel and re-book ..... also, I would think if you found a cheaper fair AFTER you make a deposit, they can still adjust the balance due because the rest of the money isn't due until sometime in July for our flights that are in September !

I hope that makes sense !

[madge]

That's a good question ! I didn't get the details on that

What I did was wait until the fair was the lowest that I thought I could get and called as soon as I saw it (I checked the SouthWest site everyday)... Now I called about 3 weeks ago and my initial deposit isn't due until the end of this month, so I have not given any deposit or anything as far as payment to SouthWest yet, so I am going to keep checking the site until the very last second before my deposit is due, and if the rate changes I will try to get the credit adjusted before making any payment, if that doesn't work I will cancel and re-book ..... also, I would think if you found a cheaper fair AFTER you make a deposit, they can still adjust the balance due because the rest of the money isn't due until sometime in July for our flights that are in September !

I hope that makes sense !

that makes sense!

I just have to keep watching, I guess...I'm going to give SWA group sales another call, soon...just to make sure I have my facts in order ;)