A Flying Rant and a Rental Car Question

[PlutoTheDog89]

Alright, so I wish I read these boards earlier b/c I would have seen that SW releases flights at 6am.

We started flying a few years back. We love Southwest and it's been very good to us. Last year, we noticed that the flights seemed to go VERY fast. We wound up getting a decent price flying down, but paid a lot more than we'd like for the way home.

I think the holiday (Christmas and NYE) falling on a weekend played a big role in the price hike and increase in demand. So - this year we planned everything out. At 12am on the dot, we logged onto SW and... nothing. My sister happened to leave for a bachelorette party at 3am so we hopped on again when she woke up the whole house. Nothing. I figured they'd release them throughout the day and I'd keep checking. At 7am my mom wakes me up and says "you won't believe how expensive all the flights are—there's almost none left."

I wiped the sleep from my eyes and logged on. I found flights going down for ~$225 and one coming back for ~$300. We had enough points on our CC to cover the flights. I was quick and booked a round trip for myself. Then my mom. That's when it hit. The flight I booked coming home was gone. I scrambled and booked my mom's and figured I'd change my flight. I booked it and BOOM - her flight was gone.

With my dad and sister's flights still needing to be booked, we were out of luck. The flights jumped to $500+.

So now, out of luck, we're jumping in the time machine to the earlier days when we'd drive down from NY. The problem is, three of us drive full-size sedans and my sister has a leased truck. We're thinking of renting a mini van.

We're just worried—what if we rent a minivan and when we go to pick it up, they're out of vans or SUVs? We've had bad luck with rental cars before (during Sandy and once again when my sister's car needed work.)

We don't mind driving. We did it a lot growing up and now that we're all older, it's much easier on my dad. We could leave the 23rd rather than the 24th and get down in time for Xmas Eve. It's just unfortunate and really stinks. It put a slight damper on our trip. We'll have to leave 1/1 rather than 1/2 and it's taking away at least a day or so.

So - has anyone ever rented a car to drive to Disney? Have you hit a snag with not getting the size vehicle you requested?

Sorry for the rant. I wish I knew it was 6am, but I didn't. It's extremely frustrating and we'll cope - it just stinks. We knew it was a possibility going in but we thought for sure that we'd get the flights

 

[Woodview]

I have no idea of where you are flying from ... or where you live. so enlighten us

As for car rental Why not go to your nearest Car Hire Co. & ask them to give you a Quote & Fix the car you wish to hire .

 

[jtobykrauss]

Off topic but I to live in NY Westchster I just booked JetBlue leaving out of Westchster county airport 12/21-12/28/16 for $252.00 per person direct flights. I have been checking the website multiply times a day until I found a good price I did and booked but I did notice that JetBlue leaving out if Newark if you don't mind the drive over there had some good deals on the flights this was a day ago. I just wanted to let you know it is still possible to get a good rate. I jAustin checked and it looks like if you left on 12/25-1/2/17 you could get a rate of $383.00 per person on JetBlue fare finder.

 

[sam_gordon]

Alright, so I wish I read these boards earlier b/c I would have seen that SW releases flights at 6am.

We started flying a few years back. We love Southwest and it's been very good to us. Last year, we noticed that the flights seemed to go VERY fast. We wound up getting a decent price flying down, but paid a lot more than we'd like for the way home.

I think the holiday (Christmas and NYE) falling on a weekend played a big role in the price hike and increase in demand. So - this year we planned everything out. At 12am on the dot, we logged onto SW and... nothing. My sister happened to leave for a bachelorette party at 3am so we hopped on again when she woke up the whole house. Nothing. I figured they'd release them throughout the day and I'd keep checking. At 7am my mom wakes me up and says "you won't believe how expensive all the flights are—there's almost none left."

I wiped the sleep from my eyes and logged on. I found flights going down for ~$225 and one coming back for ~$300. We had enough points on our CC to cover the flights. I was quick and booked a round trip for myself. Then my mom. That's when it hit. The flight I booked coming home was gone. I scrambled and booked my mom's and figured I'd change my flight. I booked it and BOOM - her flight was gone.

With my dad and sister's flights still needing to be booked, we were out of luck. The flights jumped to $500+.

So now, out of luck, we're jumping in the time machine to the earlier days when we'd drive down from NY. The problem is, three of us drive full-size sedans and my sister has a leased truck. We're thinking of renting a mini van.

We're just worried—what if we rent a minivan and when we go to pick it up, they're out of vans or SUVs? We've had bad luck with rental cars before (during Sandy and once again when my sister's car needed work.)

We don't mind driving. We did it a lot growing up and now that we're all older, it's much easier on my dad. We could leave the 23rd rather than the 24th and get down in time for Xmas Eve. It's just unfortunate and really stinks. It put a slight damper on our trip. We'll have to leave 1/1 rather than 1/2 and it's taking away at least a day or so.

So - has anyone ever rented a car to drive to Disney? Have you hit a snag with not getting the size vehicle you requested?

Sorry for the rant. I wish I knew it was 6am, but I didn't. It's extremely frustrating and we'll cope - it just stinks. We knew it was a possibility going in but we thought for sure that we'd get the flights

Have you looked at other airlines? I suggest using google flights (https://www.google.com/flights/). You can look at surrounding airports and surrounding days.

I also would not chance driving. I'd be too worried about road closures at that time of year.

If you're dead set on driving, make multiple reservations if necessary. Also, instead of just using an online booking page, call your rental locations. Maybe if you put a deposit down, they will guarantee your rental class.

 

[msmayor]

As other posters have suggested, check other airlines.

Husband and I have flown Southwest for years as they were always the best price (and schedule) in town. This past March we flew to FLL on American Airlines. Why? Because Southwest wanted $800 MORE and didn't have any decent non-stop flights out of PHL.

Southwest's WGA fares were running about $1500 for two tickets (we flew right around, but not on, Easter) with a stop. I couldn't stomach that for two tickets to FL so checked others. Found two tickets non-stop on American with a fare that INCLUDED one checked bag each plus Group A boarding (and an assigned seat) for $720 RT. Southwest fares did go a bit lower but never approached the level of American.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We have driven in rentals several times from near Buffalo. One time we had a rental van for a car repair and a van request for the same day we were returning our rental van (an insurance thing - we had to return one and pick up another under our names). We got there and they told us they did not have a van for us, so we mentioned we were returning a van and asked if we could just keep it. The agent was visibly relieved. I don't think they like those snafus at all. Anyway, that was the only time we have had an issue. Maybe it's the place we use, I don't know.

Why not rent the van a day or two early? Yes, it's more, if the van is there, but if it's not, it gives the rental company a couple of days before your trip to make you happy and find the van for you.

I find having a vehicle to be just easier. I also find it less stressful to pack when we're driving. I don't have to worry about the weight of my bags or if I should throw in that extra pair of shoes.