Airfare Question..Can this Work

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I posted here instead of the travel boards since this is very budget related. We would really like to take another trip Dec 2010. We have received many PIN codes since we returned and the trip can be very affordable except for airfare. We got the cheapest airfare that we have ever received from our last trip and that was 500pp. I have looked around and we have Allegient Air out of our town and they fly to Las Vegas and Phoenix. From Las Vegas and Phoenix we could take SW. The whole flight looks like it would be under
300pp. Since we are a family of 5 that would be over 1K in savings. So my question is this...has anyone had any luck taking 2 different airlines to 1 location?

 

[msmayor]

That's a significant amount of legwork in the middle of the trip.

You would have to claim any checked luggage from the first flight, re-check it on the second airline and clear security a second time. If the security lines are long at the 'layover' airport, you could miss your connection.

 

[meriface11]

but if you were only carrying on luggage, it would probably feel just like taking a connecting flight. you'd only be going from gate to gate and be past security.

 

[seashoreCM]

Not a good idea if it is written up as two (separate) itineraries for example Boston to Atlanta to Boston (round trip) and Atlanta to Orlando to Atlanta nested in between, and you are in the "connecting" city for less than 24 hours.

If you miss the "connection" you are a no=show on the second flight and may forfeit that fare completely.
.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Tell us what time you first plane lands and what time the 2nd one takes off? this way we will be able to tell for sure if this will work. Also tell us the times of you return flights.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I haven't booked the flight yet. I was trying to see if it can be done. We will take only carryons.

 

[dislvr74]

I did this once. I flew NWA out of Sioux Falls, SD to Chicago and then flew SWA from Chicago to MCO. I even had to take a train from O'Hare to Midway. When my flight out of Sioux Falls was delayed, NWA put me on another airline (United, I think) in order to get me to Chicago on time.

 

[Halle]

Sounds very do-able to me if you only have carry on luggage and enough time between flights. Especially if you're flying to a city that weather isn't an issue.

 

[IDoDis]

We did something similar on a RT to San Diego. It was cheaper to book separate RT flights on SW from here to Phoenix and then RT flights from Phoenix to San Diego (We got double the flight credits, too). The only difference was that we were on the same airline unlike what you are doing. I don't think it really matters though because they were still different tickets. We took carry-on bags only. On our return flight, we did cut it very close because our flight left San Diego late. We arrived 30 min. before the next flight left, so they had just started boarding we got there.

When we boarded the first flight knowing it was running late, I took one of the last seats near the front while DH and the kids sat further back. That way I could dash off of the plane quickly and run to the gate to make sure the next flight knew we were coming. I asked one of the flight attendants on board what gate our next flight was leaving from so I knew exactly where to go quickly.

On a good note, that next flight was overbooked, so when I ran up to the gate and handed over our tickets, the person at the ticket counter asked me if we'd be willing to take a later flight because there were only 2 seats left on the plane and there were 4 of us. We did take a different flight and ended up getting free vouchers for our later trip to Orlando.

I would do it again if it saved significant money -- especially 1K! Just leave yourself enough time to transfer. I had only left 90 minutes and when our flight was an hour late, that was a little too close for comfort. A few hours should be fine.

 

[travelgirl06]

I've done something similar to this before. I was actually able to check my bags through despite changing airlines/reservations (I think it was on partner airlines).

The main risk is in missing a connection; however, when I missed a connection due to my incoming flight being late, the connecting (non-partner) airline got me onto the next flight with no fees (I realize I got lucky here). Nevertheless, it was a stressful experience.

Also, if the airport you are connecting in requires a terminal change, be sure to account for plenty of time for that (sometimes you have to go through security again, etc.)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Southwest doesn't interline or interface with any other airline, so the passenger would be responsible for claiming his/her own checked luggage from the Allegiant flight and getting it to the SWA flight (reverse on the return trip).


Self-created connections are risky, especially when one airline doesn't necessarily fly to/from an airport every day (e.g. Allegiant).

And, while this question may be very budget-related, the OP would still get the most accurate information by asking on the Transportation board.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I would think your best bet might be to fly in the night before on one airline and spend the night in a hotel. I would think it would be relatively easy to get a hotel near the airport for around $100 and then you would be less concerned about the flights.

You would still save a significant amount of money and wouldn't have to worry about making a connection on the same day.

 

[Hoppy]

Instead of trying to change airlines "en route", check one way tickets. I just booked one way on SWA to MCO; the return trip will be on Allegiant.

The cost of booking two one ways was about $50 less than booking a round trip on either airlines.

Two websites I use for comparing flights are itasoftware.com (sign in as a guest) and airfarewatchdog.com.

Ita lets you put in set dates but search for fares from surrounding airports. Watchdog allows you to check the best fares flying into a certain city.

**When comparing costs, SWA does not charge for checked baggage. All the other airlines charge $10-20 for the first checked bag. This can really add to the cost of the tickets.