Booking SW on day 1?

[kkleiner]

Hi, We are planning a trip for FEB 2011, and looks like SW will be opening schedule around 8/17.

I remember always booking the minute they released a new schedule to get best fares, but is that still the case with SW? I know about dings, sales, etc but wondering if I need to stay close to the refresh button on 8/17....thanks.

 

[candy0730]

I booked my September trip on the first day fares were released and got $79 each way. If I remember correctly even later that day fares jumped up quite a bit. I have been checking a few times a week and haven't seen any cheaper fares on SW (although they do jump around a bit). I rarely see Dings from Midway to Orlando so for me it didn't make sense for me to wait.

My advice would be to book as soon as possible if the fares are good.

Have a good trip!

 

[SDSorority]

Generally the day they open they're low-ish, then they'll go up, then they'll go down. If they go down, you can re-book using your reservation number and use that credit for a future flight

 

[Sherrkel]

I'll be right there with you on the 17th - on the Southwest website that is!
Taking the morning off from work so that I can sit by the computer without interruption and try to get a good price. I hope something comes through, but have been VERY discouraged as I've been looking at fares since springtime from Boston or Manchester for our travel dates (President's week) - fares are sky high - no pun intended! This trip might not happen if they don't come down.

 

[Mich Mouse]

We are also looking at Presidents Week! We have gone this week for the past few years and prices are high!! Usually it turns out cheapest to fly in on Presidents Day and leave the following Monday for cheaper fares. We all miss a day of school!

What time will SW release the flights on the 17th?

 

[wdwnomad]

It probably depends on what city you are flying out of and when you want to fly. I know for Philadelphia SW offers many flights out a day. If you want out on first flight of the day, 7:00 am, you really need to book that one right away. That flight books up fast and fares on it normally just keep going up until they are sold out. However, if you wanted to fly out on the last flight of the day, like at 7:00 pm, that flight you can normally wait to book if the fare isn't decent right away.

I would start pricing out flights for any other airlines from your airport that offer competing flights. Also, or if there aren't any, price out flights for SW from your airport for what their schedule allows you to do. This will give you feel for the prices in the marketplace. So when the flights do come out you will know whether or not it is a good deal. Also, when checking prices be sure you are pricing out fares for the same day of the week you want to fly as that can be an important factor. However, if you are flying on a holiday then you might just end of having to pay more. Can't really get around that one unless you can be flexible with your dates.

 

[4forMe]

We are also looking at Presidents Week! We have gone this week for the past few years and prices are high!! Usually it turns out cheapest to fly in on Presidents Day and leave the following Monday for cheaper fares. We all miss a day of school!

What time will SW release the flights on the 17th?

I think in the past it's been around 10 a.m. central time (give or take 20 minutes).

Does anyone know how far SW is allowing bookings as of 8/17? I will be looking for flights for our spring break trip which is March 18-26.

 

[kkleiner]

I think they are booking out to March 11th as of 8/17 - see

On the travel tools link (from the bottom of the main SW page):

On August 17, we will open our schedule for sale through March 11, 2011. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.

For the first time in a long time, the NH vacation week falls on president's week, it's normally the week after so airfare has been great from Boston or Portland ME but not from Manchester, but now we will be fighting with Manchester, Boston and Portland for good rates.....oh well.

April vacation week for NH is the week after everybody though...

 

[stacieps]

For the first time in a long time, the NH vacation week falls on president's week, it's normally the week after so airfare has been great from Boston or Portland ME but not from Manchester, but now we will be fighting with Manchester, Boston and Portland for good rates.....oh well.

April vacation week for NH is the week after everybody though...

I guess it depends on where you are in NH - our district has February vacation from Feb 28 - March 4, so we are still the week after president's week.

Our April vacation is the week of April 25, but since Easter is so late this year (April 24), I expect travel that week may be higher priced than we're used to.