Airfare is Freaking Me Out a Little

[WaltD4Me]

We aren't going to the World until December 6th, so I know it's early, but I've been checking out airfares just to get an idea and the best I've been able to find non-stop Cleveland to Orlando is $265! -- I know some of this probably has to do with gas prices right now, but since 10 of us are going, we seriously might not be able to manage it if airfares stay this high.

Please tell me I'll be able to find a better deal....I'll be heartbroken planning a whole trip only to have airfare rates ruin the whole thing!

What were fares looking like before the ridiculous gas increase? I was hoping for airfare around $150-$175.

Lisa

 

[zulaya]

It's probably a combination of a lot of things. You seem to want non-stop and those typically are higher priced than other flights that make a stop. If you are picky about the times of day you want to fly, that can make your price higher as well.

Keep in mind that a lot of airlines have cut the number of flights on a certain route so that they are always flying with full or "fuller" planes. Less flights mean fewer seats which means the cheap fares disappear faster.

Add in the price of fuel and you can pretty much expect that the days of ultra cheap airfare are gone.

I too am travelling that time of year and I purchased my tickets as soon as they were available. Up here in MSP, that's pretty much how you have to do it to get a good rate on the non-stops with good times to MCO.

December 6th is a Sunday. Are you staying over a Saturday night? If not, that's a big reason for the high fare as a lot of airlines want you to stay a Saturday night to get the good fare.

$265 is high compared to $175. But you may have to face the fact that in this present travel climate, $265 may be the new deal.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I know there are alot of things effecting airfare now, but a $100 price difference seems like a huge (and unreasonable) difference to me. I've never had a problem getting good rates for non-stop flights from Cleveland to Orlando (usually on Continental) I went last year for $112 roundtrip and other times not paying over $175 roundtrip. (Also December 6th is a Monday...I am a little flexible with my travel dates, but it didn't matter what days I put in around the first 2 weeks in December, the price was $265, Saturday stay over or not)

Of course many, many things are effecting airfare rates right now, but to go from $175 to $265 or more? With 10 of us going that is a $600 difference in the budget!

I just was curious of the chance of it going down. If $265 is really the new deal, we might just wind up watching the planner video over and over again that week.

Lisa

 

[ontariodisneywoman]

Try AirTran closer to the dates.. you can fly out of Akron or Dayton (not sure if either of these are close enough to you). The rates right now are $242.50 round trip(with 1 connection, includes taxes) You may also be able to get a discount because there are 10 of you. Call the airline and ask about larger groups.
Southwest also may offer a group discount but their rates are a little more than (2x as much) AirTran right now.
Good luck planning and here's a little pixie dust for your trip

***...******...***** ****.....******......********

 

[Beca]

Southwest usually offers $99 or less each way on a roundtrip purchase. You cannot book Dec with them as of yet...but, probably by the end of June or beg of July you will be able to.



Beca

 

[manning]

We are entering a recovery, so demand is increasing. Airlines usually start advertising low fares in the fall.

The same thing is happening at Disney. The deep discounts are starting to disappear.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

If you're making plane reservations for 10 people, and you want to try and get them all on the same flight, try calling the airline and asking for the group reservations department. Group sales agents may have a bit more flexibility with regards to opening up affordable fare buckets.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Just thought I would add my 2 cents. Air fare has me freaked out as well. I fly out of Green Bay Wisconsin and normally pay about $240-260 per seat. I saw a great fare of $220 about a month ago for my trip in January, and by the time I got a hold my husband and checked the website again the next morning, the fare was at $250.

I kept thinking that the prices would come back down. Instead, they have continued to rise and the flights for my dates are now at $309! Ouch. I am kicking myself for not just booking the $220 flight. I am kicking myself for not booking it at $250... and so on.

Sure, I have seen prices go down a few months before my travel dates, but then it is usually yucky connections etc. So - now I am looking at an alternate airport (Milwaukee) and will probably drive the 180 miles to get a decent price. I am also going to book this week and be done with it!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I hadn't thought of trying to get a group rate. Thanks so much for that suggestion! I sort of thought we might not be able to get everyone on the same flight. It can't hurt to try and get a group rate though. Worst thing they can do is say no.

I did check Southwest too...I saw their December rates weren't up yet. Will start checking them again the end of June.

Thanks for the ideas!


Lisa

 

[Bichon Barb]

I'm going 10/9 to 10/13, and I wanted an early morning flight out of Syracuse on a Saturday. To get that I have to pay $270 round trip on Jet Blue (change planes at JFK).

I didn't want to get stuck without a flight so I booked it. If my whole family of four was going, I don't know what I would have done.