Airline Price Shock.

[JoeCathyAngelina]

Because my dates are around T-Day, none of the SWA discounts apply. I did save 180/person returning via JAX. The rental will cost 130 (12-14 seat van), but it will be worth it. Also, the flight isn't until 7:15, so we will still get to do things on departure day (a first for us).

We'll be flying into JAX next April for the first time.
We always get a car rental, so that's no problem.
How's the airport?
How's the drive to Orlando?
We'll be arriving in JAX at 10 a.m., Any suggestions on what to do on the way to Orlando?
Thanks,
Joe

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Just checked again this morning and the cheapest flight out of GR is still $484 on United. Southwest is $622 for the dates we need. They do not offer any Wanna Get Away seats for the return trip. I was hopping when they came to GR they would make it more competitive. I guess with all the mergers in the last few years that's not going to happen.

 

[kristenrice]

Just checked again this morning and the cheapest flight out of GR is still $484 on United. Southwest is $622 for the dates we need. They do not offer any Wanna Get Away seats for the return trip. I was hopping when they came to GR they would make it more competitive. I guess with all the mergers in the last few years that's not going to happen.

I can't figure out what happened! Last year, right after SWA arrived, DH and I flew non-stop to MCO in November for about $200 each. I used RR points (less than 19,000 total for 2 tickets!) so I don't know the exact cash equivalent. Now, the prices are double (or triple!) that and there are only certain days that offer nonstop. It was nice to take two trips out of GRR when AT and then SWA first showed up, but now it's back to DTW or FNT. We can drive for about $1000 so I will not pay more than $1200 to fly.

I'm getting worried about our May trip. Our dates are fixed since we are going for a RunDisney event. We are taking the kids out of school so driving is not an option due to the time constraints. Ugh! The idea of $1500-$1600 for airfare makes me sick.

 

[kristenrice]

Just checked again this morning and the cheapest flight out of GR is still $484 on United. Southwest is $622 for the dates we need. They do not offer any Wanna Get Away seats for the return trip. I was hopping when they came to GR they would make it more competitive. I guess with all the mergers in the last few years that's not going to happen.

I just checked and SWA out of FNT is $324 R/T nonstop for your dates. We are using FNT for the first time this October so I can't give a recommendation from personal experience. Saving $150/person might be worth the drive.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I just checked and SWA out of FNT is $324 R/T nonstop for your dates. We are using FNT for the first time this October so I can't give a recommendation from personal experience. Saving $150/person might be worth the drive.

Thanks for the tip. I have to get with my cousin and see what he thinks about flying out of Flint. I think it is a real possibility. This will be the 10th year we have gone to the F&W Festival and we never paid anywhere near what they want this year. Orlando has always been one of the cheapest places to fly to from GR. If you look at Sept. & Nov. the prices drop back down to the $300 range.

 

[Redarrow5150]

I would also check Tampa airport as it's about an hour away from Orlando.

 

[shannonstar]

We'll be flying into JAX next April for the first time.
We always get a car rental, so that's no problem.
How's the airport?
How's the drive to Orlando?
We'll be arriving in JAX at 10 a.m., Any suggestions on what to do on the way to Orlando?
Thanks,
Joe

I have no idea. We haven't ever done it. Message me and I will message you back when we do it in November and let you know.

 

[LBIJim]

I wonder why Southwest has stopped flying non-stop to Orlando. We flew them last Oct. and it was great. Not enough people flying to make it worthwhile?

That's probably not the reason. SW has been reducing flights from many airports to Orlando. Not because they weren't profitable or there weren't enough bookings. It's because they believe they can make HIGHER profits on different routes, those more business oriented than the heavily leisure Orlando route.

Jim

 

[maxiesmom]

I just checked and SWA out of FNT is $324 R/T nonstop for your dates. We are using FNT for the first time this October so I can't give a recommendation from personal experience. Saving $150/person might be worth the drive.

Flint is an awesome airport to fly out of. It is very small so clearing security takes hardly any time at all. Long term parking is across the street, and they have a shuttle that picks you up and drops you off at the terminal.

I'm very disappointed with what is going on with Southwest out of GRR. The arrived to so much hoopla and comments about low fares.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I found tickets yesterday for $344 on Delta. We will be coming back on Oct. 20th instead of the 19. One more day at WDW is always a good thing.

 

[lylone]

This topic has been on the boards quite often lately. We ended up booking first class on Delta for our flights the first week of Nov from ATL to MCO. Was cheaper than Southwest flights. Last year the same flights for 2 roundtrip tickets was 3 times cheaper on Airtran. I am so glad SW took over and promised to keep the prices low. Uh..yeah...

 

[Ron from Michigan]

This topic has been on the boards quite often lately. We ended up booking first class on Delta for our flights the first week of Nov from ATL to MCO. Was cheaper than Southwest flights. Last year the same flights for 2 roundtrip tickets was 3 times cheaper on Airtran. I am so glad SW took over and promised to keep the prices low. Uh..yeah...

I agree with you about Southwest. I thought we would have lower prices in GR when they took over AirTran but they seem to be the same if not higher than the other airlines.

 

[Brer Chump]

I agree with you about Southwest. I thought we would have lower prices in GR when they took over AirTran but they seem to be the same if not higher than the other airlines.

When companies merge, especially two low-fare airlines that were competing for the same leisure market, the consumer never wins. Now instead of Southwest having to price fares to compete with Air Tran, they are now largely competing with the legacies. The legacies have cut their supply which results in higher prices due to steady and increasing demand.

 

[Redarrow5150]

Just about with one exception. Southwest wasn't in Grand Rapids competing with AirTran and took over there spot when the merger was completed but understand your point.

When companies merge, especially two low-fare airlines that were competing for the same leisure market, the consumer never wins. Now instead of Southwest having to price fares to compete with Air Tran, they are now largely competing with the legacies. The legacies have cut their supply which results in higher prices due to steady and increasing demand.

 

[DONALD38]

Airfare flying out of our airport is ridiculous. We decided to drive 2 hours to another airport to save $400.00 to 600.00 flying Southwest.

Yes we have to drive and park our vehicle at the airport extended park area but it still is cheaper and we are saving $$$$.

 

[amberg93]

Wow that is up so much. Last October when we flew out of GRR it was on Southwest and was decently priced. Less than $300 pp/roundtrip.

But then now when I visit 'home' (White Lake area), I have a flight from Montreal to O'Hare and it's always cheaper to go to Muskegon from O'Hare than it is to go to GRR. And I'm talking like a minimum of $350 cheaper, so I guess I'm not that surprised.

 

[wdwfan874]

Every year the Disney dining plan goes up in price. Every year the cost of a Walt Disney World ticket goes up in price. Every year the dues on my DVC membership points goes up. Why is the expectation that airfare be the same price as it was the year prior? It doesn't make sense. And the expressions of shock and outrage that prices for airfare have gone up baffles me.

 

[lylone]

Every year the Disney dining plan goes up in price. Every year the cost of a Walt Disney World ticket goes up in price. Every year the dues on my DVC membership points goes up. Why is the expectation that airfare be the same price as it was the year prior? It doesn't make sense. And the expressions of shock and outrage that prices for airfare have gone up baffles me.

There is a difference between prices "going up" and prices going up 300% in one year. So you would not be shocked at a 300% increase??
And at ATL SW took over Airtran. So now you would think SW would be in competition with Delta for flights to MCO. It hasn't shown in the prices at all.

 

[DebbieB]

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/us-consumer-prices-rise-04-percent-24170684

Outside of food and energy, there were widespread price pressures as well. Airline tickets were up 5.8 percent in May, the biggest one-month gain since July 1999. The cost of clothing, prescription drugs and new cars all showed increases in May.

 

[1Grumpy9]

I am planning a trip Oct. 27-Nov 2 and I have found that I can rent a car and drive it from central PA cheaper than going to BWI and flying. In 2011 I flew from my home airport Harrisburg on Airtran for a little under $200. Since they merged with Southwest, they pulled out of Harrisburg. We can fly with Frontier, but I have heard some horror stories about their customer service. Now to fly out of BWI it is almost $400 (adding in the parking) per person!!

I am trying to find a good rate for a rental car for the trip. Right now, Dollar is my best bet with my AAA discount. If anyone hears of a good rate for rental cars, pass them along!!!