Airfare for DEC 2009

[NancyIL]

I am comfused now...
You book your a/f but wait until you fly for seats?
I thought you had to pick the seats when you paid?

I still think SW is the way to go...FREE BAGS. That is like 50.00 in my pocket (per person)

How many bags does each person check? Most airlines charge $15/pp for the first checked bag - so that's $30 roundtrip/pp.

 

[mitsybella]

If you are willing to drive down to Baltimore airport you can get Airtran for $59 to $99 direct flights each way, they do have $59 each way but depends on the times you want to fly, you can use the $25 coupon (each way for each person)and book thru kayak to save on seat assignment charges, plus if you are parking the parking is a little less at Baltimore, we live near philly and are driving to BWI just for these rates, cost us just over $350 for 4 of us round trip, of course we will have checked luggage, but only anticipate checking 1 bag each way and having 2 carry ons, ( kids are still little so their clothes don't take up much space ) good luck

 

[shopn24seven]

Flew SW twice and our seats were pretty decent.
We always bring 2 bags...1 for clothes and 1 for souvenirs.
When I flew airtran, we have seats WAY in the back.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

We booked our flight for Dec 6-11 back in April. I paid $168/pp for a direct flight out of Boston on Delta. We're the first flight out - 7:05 AM and the last flight out - 7:20PM. So we'll have almost full days at our disposal on both travel days! I'm not happy about baggage fees, but unless I wanted to wait around to see if SouthWest would be cheaper (they hadn't released their flights for Dec when I began looking), I opted to play it safe and jump on what I feel is a reasonable fare.

But don't get me started on the fact that my DD's seat is the same price as ours - she's 2!

::sigh:: airlines...

 

[shopn24seven]

Those are good fares, Madilymom...
SW is running at 170pp right now.

 

[Missytara]

shopn24seven - personally I don't mind paying a few dollars more for the convenience of using the RAC on the return home. Some people, it is all about pinching right down to the penny. For me, I would rather know I have my seat assignment and can use the RAC to go home - I flew Southwest once and I will never do it again.

I went through Kayak.com and didn't pay the seat fee; I am got a round-trip, non-stop both ways for $172.00 plus the $30.00 baggage fee for Airtran - it suits me just fine. I am flying out the Saturday of Thanksgiving and coming back the following Saturday. I would say that is pretty good.

I don't have to hassle with my luggage until I get back to my base airport and to me, it is worth a few extra bucks.

 

[keishashadow]

Also if you book your airtran flights through kayak.com they will not charge you the seat fees when you select your seats and you can still use the $25 dollar voucher at www.airtran.com/sunshine so it is another option for you use to compare prices. Our roundtrip for first week of december on airtran with vouchers came to $145/pp. Happy hunting

i didn't know this, thanx

i switched travel plans few weeks ago to enjoy the FDP offer, couldn't find decent airfare from PIT to MCO initiating on same date as OP either

since we rent a car, i booked SW to TPA, NS flight, for $159 pp all taxes, feesvs more than double to MCO via connecting flights.

We've driven it before non-peak time little over an hour, easy drive imo. I'll keep my eye on flights out of MCO...still it's an option for those who will be renting a car as the rates for alamo & national r currently the same @ both airports.

 

[Missytara]

On Airtran, if you book through kayak.com, it takes you directly to their website and you don't pay the seat fee.

I still don't care if Airtran is a few more bucks than Southwest. I am paying for the convenience of having a seat assignment, on a holiday weekend, as well as use the RAC at the resort and not having to touch my bags till I get back to BWI.

Sometimes paying a few bucks more is worth it.

 

[Missytara]

I just checked Southwest; I booked Airtran three months ago for non-stop roundtrip for $172.00. I am leaving Nov. 28th and returning Dec. 5th. Add the $15.00 baggage fee each way and it comes up to $202.00.

On the Southwest site, if I pick the same exact flights non-stop on the same days, it is $279.99.

So I am paying less with Airtran, even with the baggage fees and I get the convenience of using RAC.

Yippee!

 

[PEANUT1]

I got 158 r/t out of philly for early january on USAIR...the prices seem to change daily. Just keep checking. You should be able to get it for under 200.

 

[shopn24seven]

That is a good price. I will keep checking.
One thing I like about SW is that you can change your flight w/out penalty.

 

[keishashadow]

I just checked Southwest; I booked Airtran three months ago for non-stop roundtrip for $172.00. I am leaving Nov. 28th and returning Dec. 5th. Add the $15.00 baggage fee each way and it comes up to $202.00.

On the Southwest site, if I pick the same exact flights non-stop on the same days, it is $279.99.

So I am paying less with Airtran, even with the baggage fees and I get the convenience of using RAC.

Yippee!

SW may be higher 'now', yet the fares fluctuate and i'm usually able to get several credits each trip which i roll into next or bonus trip, never latched onto a great DING tho

my concern re booking AT is their nasty habit of eliminating the late NS flight back to PITnearly every time ive booked it...i won't even mention the different flight time changes (one more than 8 hrs).

as long as people are informed re the different airlines policies, habits, etc. is the main thing...guess we all have our thresholds, good luck

 

[shopn24seven]

I will admit having the hotel check in the bags is a BIG perk.
Having free bags is a perk, too. LOL

 

[cjnix29]

I have three flights on airtran with seat assignments, thanks kayak, from DTW to MCO non stop for $323 total. So happy about this!! Those vouchers were a lifesaver! Saved us $150!

 

[Missytara]

That's funny; I fly Airtran every year out of BWI and my flights have never been changed once....... is it possible it varies airport to airport?

 

[keishashadow]

That's funny; I fly Airtran every year out of BWI and my flights have never been changed once....... is it possible it varies airport to airport?

probablyconsider urself lucky, although ive seen many other post same experience with AT as to multiple flight changes

 

[MAH4546]

$200 is pricey!?!?

Are you insane??

And people wonder why airlines keep adding fees!

 

[keishashadow]

$200 is pricey!?!?

Are you insane??

And people wonder why airlines keep adding fees!

everything is relativefrom many markets on the east coast, flying 'off' days & times, connecting flights, etc...$200 is on the pricey side due to fare wars.

if it makes u feel any better (as i see u r from los angeles) the 2 times i flew to westcoast in last year (LAX & SEA) I paid dearly, nearly triple what a flight to MCO from PIT would cost.

 

[Peaceableone]

I'm looking to travel LAX - MCO, 12/18 to 12/26. Looks to be around $5xx. per person, round trip. Anyone have any help to get my cost down? I was thinking a red eye on 12/19 but the cost is just as much as a reg flight, so forget about distrubing my families sleep time.

-- 4 of us traveling, 2 kids, 11 and 13 yrs.

I was looking to buy some United Vouchers, but I'm not sure.. Seems risky as you dont know who you are dealing with.

 

[shopn24seven]

That is quite a flight....
Does SW fly out of LAX?
I got a great deal w/ then.
150.00 rt, I was pleased.
Hoping you find a great deal, soon.
CHECK EVERY DAY....