Airfare Opinions Please!

[SSDonut]

Missed the cheapest SW fares for April (PHL-MCO). We're traveling (4 of us) Easter week, so it's just an expensive time, I know.

Should I book what is still available on SW (all the times are good) for what is too much money (they are refundable fares) and hope I can get some sort of credit back, or do I hold out for something cheaper?? I'm thinking I should book each segment separately. . .

No other airline is in competition right now--airtran is higher $ and spirit is about the same and a longer/more complicated drive to Atl City. . .

We're already paying out the nose for our cruise, so this is annoying me!!

Thanks!

 

[puffkin]

I would hold out for a sale fare. Keep checking SW, Airtran, and even USAir. We just did one-ways on SW and Airtran for our recent trip and it was fine. I wouldn't hesitate to book one way at all!

 

[stacy6552]

Honestly, easter week is the one and only time that we will insist on driving (from DC). Flying that week was a total nightmare. Mostly because the airline was so overbooked they felt no need to pretend to be nice. The attitude was like, "Yeh, I did just spit on you. So what? Dont like it? I got 15 extra tickets sold for this flight..."

Dont over pay. Not that week. And I certainly wouldnt fly Southwest that week. They over book flights by 50 people sometimes.

 

[jcodespoti]

Could you drive to Newark or Baltimore nad catch a flight from there?


Joe in CT

 

[SSDonut]

Hmmmmm. now I really don't know what to do!!

WE could go to either Newark or Baltimore or Atl City, but none of the fares are really any better from any of those places so there's not a lot enticing me to do that.

Do you guys really think Southwest is the worst choice in terms of airlines being likely to overbook?? We need to fly down on the 8th, but our return could be the 14, 15 or 16. . .is just that when you put out the money to get there it seems you should fit in as many days as time off work/school allows. . .

Keep the comments coming; I'm gonna keep mulling this one over. Part of me Hates to spend a lot of money and the other part of me just wants it Done so I don't have to worry about it. . .

Thanks!!

 

[beccasmom]

SWA is not that bad, IMHO. We've had bigger headaches with USAirways. Overbooking is a major issue with most airlines and during busy times there is a higher risk of being bumped; it's not fair, but it's fact. We took Amtrak to WDW during spring break a few years back and it was a huge hassle....the only good thing was that the seats are much roomier!

SWA seems to be one of the few airlines that treats folks pretty decently most of the time. Jet Blue and Midwest are also excellent, but Jet Blue does not fly from PHL and Midwest does not really make sense for a trip south. If driving is not an option (something we've never done yet), I would stick with SWA personally. They've added more flights to MCO from PHL and have reasonable (relatively speaking!!) fare rules. And give yourself some flexibility since you are cruising. Leave a day early if you can just in case of delays, bumps, the unexpected. April is a tough time to find cheap airfare....you may have to bite the bullet and pay more than you would like, but don't give up!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I would book with Southwest (refundable) and continue searching. You've reached the 4 month window, and especially being a peak travel time, fares probibly won't get much cheaper. I would bite the bullet and pay the current fare, and maybe, just maybe you will get lucky and find a cheaper fare....

 

[Lewisc]

SW is unlikely to offer discounts on a flight that currently only has fully refundable tickets available. Since the tickets are fully refundable I'd book and keep looking for other options.

 

[salmoneous]

1) Sure, go ahead and book fully refundable tickets. What's the harm?

2) Before this thread, I've never seen it suggested that Southwest overbooks more than other airlines. In fact, I've fequently seen just the opposite. Never seen any actual statistics however.

3) Even if Southwest does overbook, you have control. Just log in at the 24 hour mark and you won't get bumped.

 

[erikthewise]

As far as I know Airtran has not yet had a general sale extending past March 1.

 

[Indea88]

Spirit through Atlantic City is worth the drive,curbside check in, smooth and hassle free compared to Philly. (If the fares are comparable...)I did book a DING fare 6 weeks before leaving with Southwest,it was too cheap to pass up, a family of four for 200.00 one way. I had Amtrak Guest reward points so booked the return on Autotrain.It sounds complicated but it worked for our budget and I took a risk in waiting , checking daily..

 

[SSDonut]

It all worked out. I gave up yesterday, then after reading some more of your really helpful posts and thinking I would just book the SW ($1500 for the 4 of us--totally busted my "get a flight for <$200 per person" rule!) flights because they were on the right days at the right times at least. I'm not too savvy with all the airfare rules, but you all convinced me that refundable was just that, so why not have something at least.

Then, when I got a chance to look this afternoon, the departing flight was unavailable!! Yikes! I had the initial "I'm gonna cry" panic, but then just shut off the computer and continued on with my day.

But obsessed I am, so I'm back on tonight. Checked out sidestep, although I expected to see all the same things. But low and behold, there was an AirTran round trip--decent times--for $223!! These flights were all $467 over the last week, and I thought there was No way I'd see that for the dates we need. Yeah--a little pixie dust!

We're booked, total $$--$891. Goes a bit above my general $$ rule, but I didn't even think I'd get that close once I missed the cheap SW seats for traveling on those two weekends!

Thank you all. I learn more than I expect everytime I ask a question, and it's just nice to have people routing for you!!

HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!