Airfares high for Spring?

[uicbear]

Now I don't fly to the World too often, we usually drive. That being said, most airlines have fares $400+ for roundtrip at the end of March from Chicago. That's Southwest and Spirit. The big guys are over $500. Now I know this is Spring Break season and all that, as we were just able to arrange this trip we are getting a late start, but wow, I am really surprised. Has this been the going rate or are things just really high?

 

[Donna M]

This year the prices are absolutely ridiculous for school vacation week (April). I have never seen prices that high. Luckily, our vacation is the week after most schools in the NE and I was able to get the tickets a few months ago for $264 by traveling Mon. to Mon.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Does anyone know if the prices were ridiculously high for Feb school vacation (PVD) this year too? I bought tixs for Feb vacation 2015 for less than $800 for the two of us. This time for April school vacation (2016), I paid $1250 for the two of us. My wallet hurts big time!!

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I just got airfare for our cruise the end of April for $855 through Southwest (4 of us). I'm pretty happy with the price!

 

[uicbear]

I just got airfare for our cruise the end of April for $855 through Southwest (4 of us). I'm pretty happy with the price!

I would be thrilled, I'm hoping to get that for 2 tickets at this point...

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I would be thrilled, I'm hoping to get that for 2 tickets at this point...

Wow, good luck! We tend to drive too, as I'm usually too cheap to pay for airfare

 

[JenB1104]

I am hoping they will come down, but seeing some flights already sold out for spring break week so not too hopeful.

 

[DVCjj]

Now I don't fly to the World too often, we usually drive. That being said, most airlines have fares $400+ for roundtrip at the end of March from Chicago. That's Southwest and Spirit. The big guys are over $500. Now I know this is Spring Break season and all that, as we were just able to arrange this trip we are getting a late start, but wow, I am really surprised. Has this been the going rate or are things just really high?

I totally agree. I also want to fly out from Chicago (ORD) in March and am sickened by the airfares this year.
I only want the 'big guys' (not driving to Midway and not take Spirit under any circumstances).

Good luck. Hope we eventually find success. Driving not an option.

 

[mom2rb]

I am having trouble trying to get DS home for Spring Break. Right now the fares are around $800 round trip.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Does anyone know if the prices were ridiculously high for Feb school vacation (PVD) this year too? I bought tixs for Feb vacation 2015 for less than $800 for the two of us. This time for April school vacation (2016), I paid $1250 for the two of us. My wallet hurts big time!!

I am travelling 2/14-2/19 and we paid 17k points round trip (about $280).

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I am travelling 2/14-2/19 and we paid 17k points round trip (about $280).

Are you traveling from PVD? If so, may have to consider just going during Feb vacation!

 

[DisDadDVC]

Are you traveling from PVD? If so, may have to consider just going during Feb vacation!

Yes, prices are way higher now though. I booked as soon as fares were released.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The airlines know which future flights will have low and high demand.

For flights with low demand, there will low fares -- sometimes very low fares. The airlines want as few empty seats as possible.

For flights with high demand, such as flights from Chicago to Florida that coincide with spring break in Chicago-area schools, the airlines will offer few, if any, cheap seats. The airlines want the highest per-seat revenue possible.

It's been this way for a long time. But now that demand is up (better economy) and capacity is down (airline consolidations and schedule reductions), it's going to be very difficult to get cheap seats at high-demand times.

Of course, an airline can find a flight selling too slowly and can move capacity to a lower fare class. But an airline can also project that a flight will sell out with passengers willing to pay top dollar -- and price the remaining inventory accordingly.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Yes, prices are way higher now though. I booked as soon as fares were released.

Yeah I can just imagine. After this April trip, I think we may just want to stick to Feb vacation since we definitely paid less for plane tixs. I didn't think park crowds were that bad so I don't think that will affect my decision.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Yeah I can just imagine. After this April trip, I think we may just want to stick to Feb vacation since we definitely paid less for plane tixs. I didn't think park crowds were that bad so I don't think that will affect my decision.

I much prefer April over Feb. Feb is PACKED because presidents week is the same for everyone. At least Easter week is spread out. Also, the weather in Feb is hit or miss and has always been great in April. Don't give up on April yet. Those fares should go down. My April vacation is 4/11 and we have roundtrip tickets for $270ish out of PVD.

 

[no one]

Another way to try to save on airfare is to try to rack up the points on a credit card. I never paid much attention to all the offers for cards with points, we just dont fly with the kids and our summer vacation is on the Cape. But when I knew we were going to Disney I signed up for a card w/ Chase with a great promotion, but all the cards have similar offers, in just 7 weeks I was able to save $670 on the flights I booked yesterday. Of course you need to payoff your balances but instead of using the debit card that can be a way to go.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Another way to try to save on airfare is to try to rack up the points on a credit card. I never paid much attention to all the offers for cards with points, we just dont fly with the kids and our summer vacation is on the Cape. But when I knew we were going to Disney I signed up for a card w/ Chase with a great promotion, but all the cards have similar offers, in just 7 weeks I was able to save $670 on the flights I booked yesterday. Of course you need to payoff your balances but instead of using the debit card that can be a way to go.

If you travel to WDW every year, doing the SW credit card(s) is a no brainer IMO. 50k miles for one card and with not much extra work, you can get 100k (2 cards) and a companion pass for 2 years. You can repeat this every 2 years.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I much prefer April over Feb. Feb is PACKED because presidents week is the same for everyone. At least Easter week is spread out. Also, the weather in Feb is hit or miss and has always been great in April. Don't give up on April yet. Those fares should go down. My April vacation is 4/11 and we have roundtrip tickets for $270ish out of PVD.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to have to stick with April next year since I bought my tixs already on opening day when the schedule opened up. Definitely more than I thought I would have to pay but not undoable. We are heading out at 4/18 out of PVD, a busy time since all RI schools are out and I'm pretty sure southeastern MA schools are too.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to have to stick with April next year since I bought my tixs already on opening day when the schedule opened up. Definitely more than I thought I would have to pay but not undoable. We are heading out at 4/18 out of PVD, a busy time since all RI schools are out and I'm pretty sure southeastern MA schools are too.

My guess is you will get a break on the 4/18 flight at some point. I think the 4/15-17 ones will probably be $309-359 WGA fares. I would also keep an eye on BDL if you can swing it. Far fewer CT schools have that week off.

 

[yankebabie]

We are flying to Orlando in May . Got $89 going, $97 coming back. Woohoo!!!! Great fares for my area