Airfares - seriously??

[happymommy]

I know it's too early to look for any great deals on airfare for next March, but....

I just feel like ranting.

We have gone so many times from BWI (Baltimore) to Orlando on Southwest. Many times it's not during a very busy time (like late August) so we've gotten great fares (several times less than $200 round trip). Even during holiday times, I seem to have gotten pretty lucky and gotten less than $250. The most we've paid is about $300 or so during spring break.

Right now for anything not arriving there or back home at midnight or so, it's over $500 round trip. Yes, it's early, and yes, airfare across the board is more now. I know. Still, I was thinking about going for spring break (have a car rental booked at a decent rate and Marriott Sabal Palms booked with our MVC owner's discount at $200 a night just in case we do go).

Our other choice may be an all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic (never been but did an all-inclusive last June and it was fun - like a Disney vacation there is lots to do which I like). $700 round trip there - nope not doing that for now either!

I even went so far as to check Allegiant from Hagerstown - but not doing that (they only fly certain days and I want Saturday to Saturday or Sunday). Plus I know DH would prefer BWI (or even Dulles or DC but hate the drive through DC and Dulles is so far out there!).

Okay, rant over!! Thanks guys!

 

[wdwfan1]

I booked the day the fares were released and got round trip from NY for $229 each round trip on Southwest.

I was surprised since my November trip is higher.

 

[DebbieB]

I know it's too early to look for any great deals on airfare for next March, but....

I just feel like ranting.

We have gone so many times from BWI (Baltimore) to Orlando on Southwest. Many times it's not during a very busy time (like late August) so we've gotten great fares (several times less than $200 round trip). Even during holiday times, I seem to have gotten pretty lucky and gotten less than $250. The most we've paid is about $300 or so during spring break.

Right now for anything not arriving there or back home at midnight or so, it's over $500 round trip. Yes, it's early, and yes, airfare across the board is more now. I know. Still, I was thinking about going for spring break (have a car rental booked at a decent rate and Marriott Sabal Palms booked with our MVC owner's discount at $200 a night just in case we do go).

Our other choice may be an all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic (never been but did an all-inclusive last June and it was fun - like a Disney vacation there is lots to do which I like). $700 round trip there - nope not doing that for now either!

I even went so far as to check Allegiant from Hagerstown - but not doing that (they only fly certain days and I want Saturday to Saturday or Sunday). Plus I know DH would prefer BWI (or even Dulles or DC but hate the drive through DC and Dulles is so far out there!).

Okay, rant over!! Thanks guys!

What are your dates?

 

[happymommy]

What are your dates?

March 15 - 22 (or 23).

Wow - from NY that is great! We are still on the fence about where to go. Or if we'll go somewhere. We stayed home for spring break a couple of years ago, though, and I said never again!

 

[Donna M]

We are heading down from NH during our Feb. vacation and got the cheapest prices I can remember, $201 n/s r/t. This past week I heard that our school district is planning on changing to a March break instead of our Feb and Apr. vacations. Not happy at all! Just what I want....dealing with all the rest of the country for the same time slots

 

[DebbieB]

March 15 - 22 (or 23).

Wow - from NY that is great! We are still on the fence about where to go. Or if we'll go somewhere. We stayed home for spring break a couple of years ago, though, and I said never again!

AirTran and Delta have flights for around $299-$344 BWI-MCO roundtrip. Some are connections.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I know it's too early to look for any great deals on airfare for next March, but....

I just feel like ranting.
........

Legacy airlines released their flights for March 2014 last April. It's possible you missed some great fares BWI-MCO months ago.

 

[mikehn]

I see whole mess of nonstops for $253 roundtrip from DCA to MCO. Not too shabby in my book.

 

[dis_guy]

Legacy airlines released their flights for March 2014 last April. It's possible you missed some great fares BWI-MCO months ago.

I agree. The last few years have seen the lowest fares about a week after a date is added to the schedule and from there prices go up! I booked our March flights on United a week after they were released and the same flights have tripled since. I don't expect them to come down either.

 

[happymommy]

I see whole mess of nonstops for $253 roundtrip from DCA to MCO. Not too shabby in my book.

Yes you did! Worth it to drive to DCA - for some reason Hipmunk wasn't showing me airlines other than Airtran - I need to figure that out.

Jet Blue flies nonstop, and I can transfer Amex points to them so it would be free. That makes this trip look better now!

 

[snoopy5386]

FWIW, we're going at that time too and the prices weren't great when they were released. We fly Southwest, I booked our return flight during a recent sale, but I'm holding out for a better deal for the flight down.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We went to Hawaii (Alauni) Feb. 2014 during President's week. I almost thought it wasn't going to happen because airfare was so high. From California to Honolulu it was $700 per ticket. Crazy! It was getting closer and closer but I wouldn't cave in. I'm always trolling airfare and I lucked out, $391! Don't give up. You may still get a deal. There is no rhyme or reason to the airlines. They're just out to make money.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

...... There is no rhyme or reason to the airlines. They're just out to make money.

There is definitely a very well thought out algorithm for air fare pricing.

Of course they want to make money; they are a for profit business. Why do so many people think this is a bad thing?

 

[kerplop]

JetBlue's got flights at $260 with a weird transfer up to Boston first, but they're there for your dates.

 

[juliehoey]

Same here with outrageous prices. I fly USAir out of PHL. My dates are the last week of August 2014. The roundtrip is $391. Maybe not bad to some but for our 2011 trip at the same time it was $178 roundtrip. The amusing thing is the 5pm flight back from MCO is $523 ONE WAY! That's for coach. If you want First Class Flexible for the EXACT same flight it's $522. Huh? Who is making up these prices? I'm holding out for Southwest to open in February-ish...

 

[jeff968]

It is never too early. We go during president's week every year and i get my tickets at least 9 months in advance. I scored RT NS from NYC to TPA for 2014 for $178! This is the best I've done in 5 years but you have to shop early.

 

[monorailsilver]

I have been looking too for April. But we are going to Ft. Myers.

Yikes is all I am going to say! It was between $500-$700. RT on jet blue and delta . We are flying out of Hartford but I looked at NY for jet blue, still too much $$$.

Regardless we are booked on the auto train. Just shy if $1800 for the 5 of us RT and our car and we have rooms both ways, and dinner and breakfast.

We have been wanting to try the train for a few years now so this is our chance.

FYI our spring break ends on Easter.