$308.00 Roundtrip for 12/28 - 1/3 good?

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Hi, I've never paid so much so I'm hesitating to pay this much for a roundtrip ticket to MCO from NY on 12/28 - 1/3, $308.00 is this a good rate for this time of year ?

Thanks in advance!

 

[roelongo]

I think that's very good considering it's late to get airfare for that time. What airline ans airport is it?

 

[Ava31]

I have a theory. Call me an optimist, but here's what I think...there are a handful of smaller, economy airlines plus American that look to Southwest as their main competition. Currently, you can't buy tickets through the end of the year on SWA, so the other airlines don't have that competition yet. Presumably, within the next month or so, SWA will start booking flights through the end of the year and maybe at that time, the other airlines will become more competitive.

This theory might bite me in the butt, but I figure worse-case scenario, DH and I load up the kids make the long haul by car (and Texas is definitely a long haul!). Our trip is at the same time (12/27 - 1/2), so I'm just biding my time. We're looking at about $350/pp on any given day, so it's killing me to add an extra grand+ to our vacation budget.

Obviously, I'm not an airline insider, just an over-analytical gambling girl. I just hope I'm right!

 

[emmabelle]

Is it non-stop? I bought tickets for that week two years ago, BOS to MCO and I paid around $260 with a connection and I had to leave on Christmas Day to get that. I would definately take $308 nonstop for that week, I'd have to think about it if it had a connection.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Hi and thanks for your advice. It's a non-stop flight both ways, leaving in the early afternoon and returning in the evening. As I mentioned I never paid this much and don't know if this is a good rate .

To wait or not to wait

 

[Ava31]

Well, I gotta say, watching the fares inch up everyday is making me somewhat ill, but I'll still ride the wave and hope that the fares go down eventually.

From what I'm looking at out of DFW, I'd say $308 r/t non-stop isn't too bad if the times are acceptable to you, because I'm looking at $400+ down here.

Good luck to you, I know the scariest thing is making the purchase and then a week later seeing the fares drop, but I have a feeling we won't see much of a decrease, even though I'm still holding my breath.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

I am definately feeling ill as well the afternoon flight going is now up to $299 which was $144.00.......to buy or not to buy

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

Is there anyway you can fly Southwest? Their fares hopefully will be out very soon.

 

[Ava31]

Is there anyway you can fly Southwest? Their fares hopefully will be out very soon.

That's what I'm banking on!

 

[CarolA]

For 1/2 book as SOON as they come out. I would not hold out for DING. IF you get lucky and one shows up you can rebook, but SW has already made 1/2 a black out date for their Rapid Rewards travel which tells me they are pretty sure they can sell those seats. In that case, they won't be as likely to give you a great discount!

 

[lovesmurfs]

Traveling Dec 14-23 - Didn't have the guts like you all to hold out, so I bought my tickets a month ago from Chicago O'Hare to MCO -- paid $260 RT, Non-stop on United. I keep checking prices and now the same flights are $375 (woo hoo!). The masochist in me keeps checking.....

I really wish SW would open up sooner -- would have liked to try them, but the peace of mind is nice.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Hi again, no SW for me, too far about a two hour drive. To buy or not to buy

Still waiting and hoping

 

[jadedNYer]

I feel your pain. I am looking at 12/19 - 28 and the non stop AA flights from LGA are very limited. Fares that were 283 two days ago are now 313 and more.
I want to go before room rates sky rocket for holiday season and my soon to be 7th grader only wants to miss 3 days of school (and not even that) because the high schools he will apply to won't look at you if you have more than 7 absences. Or so he claims. The plan is to get an afternoon flight, he can go to school for the morning and that way he won't be marked absent.

 

[Ava31]

I'm actually hoping that when SW opens up reservations, it will drive down the other economy airlines a little bit. We have to stop in Austin or Houston to fly out of SW and that adds an extra $50-100 per leg, per person. Either that or we have to drive and park our car for a week. *sigh* Decisions, decisions...

 

[canwegosoon]

I would think you could do better...Jet Blue?
I got $150 RT JFK-MCO 12/23-12/29 but it was on SOng before the Delta potential strike...I got lucky.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We flew out of LGA this past April and we were in the same boat (EAster week). Our friends were paying $300 - $350/pp rt, non stop. But, we waited and got $168/pp rt, non-stop with Spirit Airlines.

Good luck.

 

[jadedNYer]

Thank you Canwegosoon!

Just checked Delta out of JFK (didn't even occur to me) and the times are much more convenient. Fares are about the same but JFK gets brownie points over LGA. Plus bigger aircraft.

 

[canwegosoon]

Thank you Canwegosoon!

Just checked Delta out of JFK (didn't even occur to me) and the times are much more convenient. Fares are about the same but JFK gets brownie points over LGA. Plus bigger aircraft.

Glad you found something that works for you...
To the OP I ran the numbers...your price is about the best in a 75 mile radius(I could find it for $10 cheaper...but that's pretty close) The reason why I sugested JB is because I remember there being a sale last year...and JB I believe has a fairly flexible return/exchange policy, unlike Delta which is a $100 a ticket.
Other thing I would highly recommend using Orbitz fare watcher, and jumping on it when there is a deal.

 

[Ava31]

One thing that I've noticed is that there are A LOT of wide open, non-stop flights at reasonable times (i.e. not getting in after 6 p.m.). On Expedia (and most sites), you can view the available seats and there seems to be plenty still open. Now, maybe they have sold the tickets but haven't assigned seats yet, but I believe on American, you get your seat assignment upon booking. I could be off-base, but I'm still holding my breath.

 

[CarolA]

The seat maps can vary in accuracy. I find the ones on Expedia to be inaccurate a lot. (ie when you actually try to take that seat it isn't REALLY there) The airline ones are better. However, they only give you a partial picture. Lots of folks don't get advance seat assignments. Some TAs just fail to give them etc.