Airfare questions?? when to fly?? when to buy??

[JessetheCowgirl]

Hi, all.

We are returning to the World next December--it was supposed to be this June, but SURPRISE--baby number 3 will be born at the end of May.

We want to fly out of Texas (either Austin or DFW) on Friday December 17 and are flexible on the return--either the 23, 24, 25 or 26.

Is one of those days traditionally more expensive to fly?? Christmas eve, maybe?

Also, when should I think about buying tickets? I know southwest out of Austin won't let you buy very far in advance, but what about other carriers? We have no frequent flier miles or discount; will be paying full rate for 2 adults and 2 children--baby will be in my lap

Thanks for your help!

 

[Familymoon]

I went to Southwest.com and checked it out...realizing, of course, that this is theoretical because of the fact that it is *next* year. That said - it will be the same any time that week. It is more expensive to fly the last three weeks of December because it's all the "holiday season". Because of that, I don't think it will make a difference on the dates you mentioned - you should just plan to do what you want with family...and let that dictate the amount of time at Disney (if you want to spend time with your kids and no one else...stay longer....if you want to see extended family, leave before Christmas). Personally, I wouldn't be able to not see my Grandma and other relatives...and would be bummed to not be at home in time for Santa to come and have our own Christmas tree...but, that's me. Typically, Southwest is cheaper to fly on a Saturday - there are other days I don't recall...maybe tuesday - saturday rates? They aren't up right now because of the holidays, but keep an eye on them. You can reserve up to 5 months in advance at southwest...and you get to preboard if you are travelling with a child under 4.

Also, I noticed you said you were flying with the baby on your lap. I had planned to do this as well until I found this information when trying to decide...http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/airplanetravel.aspx

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have a few suggestions.

You will probably have more choices (especially of non-stops) if you fly out of DFW.

I would also suggest flying out as early on Friday morning as possible, as later flights are more business traveller oriented with fewer low fare seats and fuller flights.

For flying home, try mid-day on Christmas day itself. That is a VERY slow day.

You might want to go to the various airline web sites and look at what they are offering this year as a comparison; of course being less than a month out most booking is already done.

A last item; if you will be getting an early morning flight out, check with hotels right at DFW. I know that many hotels in the Washington area near the airports will have a special "stay and park" rate which will allow for up to two weeks parking on their lot at no cost. You would get to the hotel the night before, check in, and use the hotel's free shuttle to the terminal. When you come back, there is a good chance the shuttle driver will drop you right at your car.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thanks for your replies.

Familymoon--we have 12 grandmas/great grandmas due to parent remarriages; they are all over the state so it's impossible to see them all. We will, however, see many of them after Christmas. We are the traveling family and are used to celebrating Christmas at "off" times because we are all over the state. My husband is in education, and so has at least 2 weeks off at the holiday.

And we are taking one set of Grandparents with us

Also, we will have a Christmas tree in our villa at the Wilderness Lodge, and "Santa" will come there. Have you seen the Wilderness Lodge at Christmas????? Believe me, I won't be missing home one bit. "Santa" is downplayed alot in our family--the grandparents spoil my kids rotten--it seems that they open 100's of presents every year. So, my DH and I decided years ago that "Santa" would bring each child 3 gifts only--and they are usually very inexpensive. We would much rather spend that money on going to Disney!!

Way more information than you wanted, but I just felt compelled to explain

Cheshire--I've never heard of the free parking deal--that would be wonderful! Thanks for the heads up. According to this year's prices, we should be able to get under $200 nonstop, some even as low as $159!!! Woo Hoo!!!!

I hadn't thought of Christmas day as being a slow flying day, but that makes sense. And I 'm sure that's when Disney crowds reallly start to pick up.

 

[Familymoon]

No explanation necessary
We're an "extended family" Christmas celebrating group - but I know lots of people are just intimate celebrators and it's great - especially when there are extended family members all over the place. (We have grandparents and great grandparents all over, too!)

I also forgot to mention that I didn't see DFW as an option at Southwest - do they not have a hub there? We have been watching Southwest every week waiting to order our tickets (hoping for discounts) and it seems that there are the same flights scheduled four times a day no matter what. At least two of them are always non-stop...so, I'd say $200 round trip per person is a good estimate - even for non-stop! We are paying a bit more because like a dolt I waited an extra day to order the tickets and discovered that I'd missed out on the promotional 21-days-in-advance rate and had to pay $49 more per outgoing ticket! DOH! That's a $250 mistake I'll never make again!


Happy tripping to you and yours! What a magical Christmas you'll have!!!!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Southwest doesn't fly out of DFW--if we go with Southwest, it would be out of Austin

They do fly out of Dallas/Lovefield, but not direct to MCO

But it seems lately that Delta and American out of DFW are even cheaper than Southwest's best rate out of Austin???

Of course, alot can change in a year!!!

Hope your wedding is MAGICAL and you enjoy your "family"moon!!