airlines?

[pixeemom]

I am starting to look at flights for Feb. and I am getting nervous for 2 reasons, but my main nervous feeling is airlines.....silly I know but here is my question
do most people like to stick to a specific airline?
i usually fly SW or JB, but I am getting a decent price with US Airways, and I am very nervous....omg I'm sorry to sound like a child but I need some reassurance pleaseeeeeeee

 

[sam_gordon]

I am starting to look at flights for Feb. and I am getting nervous for 2 reasons, but my main nervous feeling is airlines.....silly I know but here is my question
do most people like to stick to a specific airline?
i usually fly SW or JB, but I am getting a decent price with US Airways, and I am very nervous....omg I'm sorry to sound like a child but I need some reassurance pleaseeeeeeee

Some people will stick to a specific airlines, but the reasons vary...
* Best price from their "home" airport
* "Status" on that airline
* Features (free bags, entertainment, refund/discount policy, etc)

There's nothing wrong with using multiple airlines. Just make sure you're comparing apples and apples (if US Air charges for bags, does that even things out cost wise?).

 

[richmo]

You'll likely run into more fees with US Airways than JetBlue or Southwest, but I wouldn't be worried about it. There is some chance that they may change your flight times, but you always have the right to cancel your itinerary if the change is major. The one plus of US Airways here in Philly is that if your flight gets canceled, there are far more options for getting a later flight. The other drawback with US Airways, as opposed to Southwest or JetBlue, is if there is a price drop, there isn't much you can do about it (unless its major, which isn't likely to Orlando)

 

[pixeemom]

Some people will stick to a specific airlines, but the reasons vary...
* Best price from their "home" airport
* "Status" on that airline
* Features (free bags, entertainment, refund/discount policy, etc)

There's nothing wrong with using multiple airlines. Just make sure you're comparing apples and apples (if US Air charges for bags, does that even things out cost wise?).

yes very good point someone just brought that to my attention to, didn't even think of the charges for bags, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pixeemom]

You'll likely run into more fees with US Airways than JetBlue or Southwest, but I wouldn't be worried about it. There is some chance that they may change your flight times, but you always have the right to cancel your itinerary if the change is major. The one plus of US Airways here in Philly is that if your flight gets canceled, there are far more options for getting a later flight. The other drawback with US Airways, as opposed to Southwest or JetBlue, is if there is a price drop, there isn't much you can do about it (unless its major, which isn't likely to Orlando)

wow, ok, never knew that, US airways wouldn't do anything about the prices, thank you, I will keep searching now

 

[jkelly86]

We usually fly Southwest to FL from our home airport. Last year, for one leg of our trip we booked Delta (it was significantly cheaper than SW, even with luggage charges.) From October until April, the airline changed our flights on 3 different occasions. At one point, they gave us a 6 hour layover in Atlanta. Each time, they offered us a full refund (there were 6 in our party, and we were flying during a peak time). We could not accept a refund because there was nothing left to book elsewhere! In the end, it worked out, but it was nerve-wracking. In the future, I will pay a bit more to fly direct with Southwest.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Also, US Airways is merging with American Airlines - the jury is still out if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

 

[pixeemom]

Also, US Airways is merging with American Airlines - the jury is still out if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

ackkkkkkk lol
thank you!

 

[pixeemom]

We usually fly Southwest to FL from our home airport. Last year, for one leg of our trip we booked Delta (it was significantly cheaper than SW, even with luggage charges.) From October until April, the airline changed our flights on 3 different occasions. At one point, they gave us a 6 hour layover in Atlanta. Each time, they offered us a full refund (there were 6 in our party, and we were flying during a peak time). We could not accept a refund because there was nothing left to book elsewhere! In the end, it worked out, but it was nerve-wracking. In the future, I will pay a bit more to fly direct with Southwest.

thank you!
GTK

 

[richmo]

wow, ok, never knew that, US airways wouldn't do anything about the prices, thank you, I will keep searching now

Yeah, they will let you rebook at a lower price, but that's considered a change, so you get hit with the fee per ticket. I haven't paid attention lately, but the change fee is probably around $150 (not sure if you can apply that round trip in case both ways drop), so a price drop would have to be very substantial.

 

[pixeemom]

Yeah, they will let you rebook at a lower price, but that's considered a change, so you get hit with the fee per ticket. I haven't paid attention lately, but the change fee is probably around $150 (not sure if you can apply that round trip in case both ways drop), so a price drop would have to be very substantial.

thank you for the heads up

 

[bumbershoot]

wow, ok, never knew that, US airways wouldn't do anything about the prices, thank you, I will keep searching now

At this point I believe it is only Alaska and Southwest who will give a fee-free credit if/when the price lowers. JB used to but I think they charge the same fee as everyone else does now.

 

[vatali]

As someone who flies for work every week, here is my take:

Stick with a single airline if you plan on flying more than 25 segments (airports) in a calendar year.

Stick with a single airline no matter what on each direction of flight (meaning don't do New York to Atlanta on jet blue, then Atlanta to Orlando on delta).

Switching airlines between going there and coming back is fine (meaning going out on delta and coming back on jet blue)

You can book further out using legacy carriers (AA, US, Delta), than the low cost airlines (JB, SW, Frontier) and you get your seats assigned, but there will be more fees.

When/If something goes wrong, the major carriers can fix them easier. An example is: Flying AA from Raleigh to Chicago. The plane from Raleigh breaks and the flight is canceled. AA can move you to US (since they are the same company) or to United or Delta (because they use the same computer systems), but they wont be able to move you to southwest. in turn, Southwest, if the flight is canceled, wont be able to move you to a legacy. This takes some planning on your part (you would have to tell the airlines the exact flight you wanted to go home on, they wont look it up) but at least it can be done.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yeah, they will let you rebook at a lower price, but that's considered a change, so you get hit with the fee per ticket. I haven't paid attention lately, but the change fee is probably around $150 (not sure if you can apply that round trip in case both ways drop), so a price drop would have to be very substantial.

Actually the change fee on US Airways for a domestic ticket is $200.00.

 

[richmo]

Actually the change fee on US Airways for a domestic ticket is $200.00.

Yikes! I didn't realize it was that high. Basically, you're locked in when you book.