Airfare out of Philly (PHL)

[disneyfam]

Hi gang! We've never flown out of the Philadelphia airport so I'm not sure if this is a good price or not.

PHL to MCO, USAIR
Nov 11-19
$158 + taxes = $176.70

For those that have flown out of this airport, does this seem like a low fare for this airport or should I "hold out" for a lower fare?


Thanks,
Cynde

 

[helenk]

I would say grab it! Especially if it is for the times that you want.
Based on the prices so far this year, I would doubt they will get lower.

 

[DisneyCrazy]

From State College you might want to consider AVP (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton). We just booked 7/4-7/11 on Vacation Express (http://www.vacationexpress.com) for $158.00 total. It does fly into Sanford (45 minutes from Disney) but the savings makes it worth it for us.

Our past two trips we have flown Southeast (http://www.flyseal.com) out of Allentown with great success. The extra tavel in Florida is made up by the cost and the DIRECT flights.

Both of these airlines are 'private charters', which might have some drawbacks for some people. As I've said, we had great success with SE and look forward to equal success with VE.

A note on Sanford/Orlando - I also like flying in/out of this airport, it is smaller and less hecktic than MCO. Less traffic, no long lines for security - a much 'smoother' airport experience (as is AVP and ABE here in PA).

 

[emilymad]

That sounds like a pretty good rate. I am going in June paying $204 a ticket on USAir. I kept watching the rates and this was the lowest it went. Southwest just released their fares from PHL but I didn't think they were that great.

 

[disneyfam]

I think I'm going to grab it today or tomorrow. Thanks for the responses so far. And thanks for the alternate airport suggestion. We'd normally fly out of State College but DH's mom lives in Philly so we are going to spend some time with her when we return. Kinda the kill 2 birds theory. Plus DS will be having a birthday while we're in Disney so we'll get to celebrate again when we return. : )

Cynde

 

[safetymom]

There is a price war going on since Southwest came to Phila. So grab the tickets while you can at a good price.

 

[disneysnowflake]

Hey, Disneyfam! I'm from right outside of State College. Glad to see you!!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I've been watching the PHL to MCO fares for a few months and the fare you mentioned is the best I've seen. Don't wait too long to book it.

 

[honeymo78]

grab those tickets now. generally anything under $200 is good.

 

[Zoo Keeper]

I just booked Vacation Express out of Wilkes-Barre Scranton for $178 round trip including taxes. They didn't have any more $69 one-way fares for the days we are flying, 7/29 and 8/6. But $79's OK by me. I checked all the commercial airlines that fly out of here and the lowest price was United flying through Chicago for $261.
I feel like I got a deal!
Since Vacation Express doesn't start flying out of AVP until next month, I'll be looking forward to hearing any feedback about them

 

[EKevinD]

Grab it now. Southwest Airlines is the best thing to happen to PHL airport. Driving USAIR's monopoly to MCO way down. That is a very good price I would not risk losing it over the outside chance you find something for $10 cheaper between now and then. Go for it.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Keep me posted on the AVP and Vacation Express. We've always flown Usair and are looking for an alternative. With two small children a connecting flight can be a real hassle.

The problem with Vacation Express is the limited availability. I think they only fly out certain days.

However, I am still mad at USair for mentioning Oreo's could be purchased as a snack and by the time they got to us they were gone. Pretty dissappointed 4yrold.

 

[Chuck-PA]

With US Air, the 176.00 is a good price. You can buy the tickets and keep an eye on the prices. If it goes cheaper, call US Air and they will readjust your tickets and send you a voucher for the price difference and the voucher is good for one year towards travel. We did this for our last trip in January. We bought airfare last summer for 186 and it dipped to 156 in Sept and we received $30.00 vouchers.

 

[ArielsDad]

I'd say take it too.

We have $206/pp for 8:10am phl - mco and 4:40pm mco - phl on Usair.

I've checked with the rates/etc after Southwest announced their fares and schedule.
It didn't make that much of a difference and we have (for us anyway) great travel times.
Plus I 've heard that you don't get assigned seats with SW.

We'll keep the flights/fares we have...

 

[Pollyann]

I booked on Vacation Express for $79.00. They only have flights on Thurs-Fri-Sun-Mon and only on flight out per day- but I thought the price was good! From countdown clocks it looks like I'll be one of the first to fly Vacation Express from AVP! If anyone is before May 14th, I'd be interested to hear about your experience. I will post after mine.

 

[Zoo Keeper]

Pollyann, Be sure to tell us what Vacation Express is like.

Yes they do not fly out every day but I'm leaving on a Thursday morning and coming back on Friday night. That's almost nine days!

 

[Bghair]

About a month ago, I booked a flight out of Philly for June at $206, with USAir. I would definately take the $176!

 

[RoeMc1992]

My neighbors got the $176.00 fare on US Air from PHL to MCO in Oct. It is a great rate compared to what I am paying for my flight two weeks after Easter. ($280.00!.....Ouch!) The fare in April did go down to $216.00, so I got a voucher for the difference to use on a future flight. I may use it in October unless SW has a much lower fare.

 

[jlw29]

All of my other travelling was for work, and the company travel agent took care of all this stuff.

How do you get the voucher for the price difference? I have my tickets at the same fare as bghair (for end of May / beg of june) and just checked the website to see that they are down to $158! for the 4 tickets, that's almost $200 difference-- enough for another flight somewhere.

I learn something new on this website every time I check it.

Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

Contact your airline and see if you are eligible for vouchers for the price difference.