Airtran one way/SW back?

[jenny-d]

I am a novice flyer so I have a question. I usually fly SW to Orlando but I'm waiting (impatiently) for the prices to go down or for a DING fare (it is currently $119 pp one way). I can get a GREAT one way from Columbus to Orlando for $74! But on the way back the SW fare is cheaper. My question is: is it possible to fly Airtran to Orlando and SW back from Orlando? I'm not sure if this is possible or if there are any pros/cons to this?
thanks!

 

[dburg30]

Sure you can do exactly that. Only downfall I can see is airtran will have a stop in Atlanta. I just got lower fares for my down and back (in just a couple of days) 79 down, 74 back to CMH

 

[disneyag]

You can certainly do this. Just be prepared--you might be tagged for extra screening by TSA, since, in effect, you have 2 one-way tickets. Just make sure to be to the airport a little early.

 

[dburg30]

You can certainly do this. Just be prepared--you might be tagged for extra screening by TSA, since, in effect, you have 2 one-way tickets. Just make sure to be to the airport a little early.

Not sure what difference that would make. I book one ways on SW, so they will only see me having a one way ticket. And I'm sure a LOT of people book one ways for SW so if a segment drops in price you can change just that.

 

[BWVNUT]

We did exactly this in August/September - even flew out of and into two different airports and we had no security issues at either end.

Good luck

 

[jenny-d]

Sure you can do exactly that. Only downfall I can see is airtran will have a stop in Atlanta. I just got lower fares for my down and back (in just a couple of days) 79 down, 74 back to CMH

Thanks for the info--actually the Airtran flight is non-stop which is why I'm so tempted! Connecting flights or layovers are not for us with small children! The only thing holding me back now is that i've heard that Airtran frequently changes their flight schedules (or adds a stop) which would completely mess up my plans. I don't know maybe it's worth paying the extra $$ and hoping for a credit with SW for the security of knowing they won't change the schedule. Oh--the other plus for Airtran is the morning direct flight is at a better time (8:00am vs 6:45 on SW)
thanks!

 

[dburg30]

What dates? I didnt think Airtran had any non stops to MCO from CMH..

And you are aware of the changes they tend to make, so if it's very far in the future, be prepared for it.

And as far as the time, lol, I like to leave as early as I can, so I'd go with the 645 SW flight if I could . But again, I dont have kids..

 

[jenny-d]

What dates? I didnt think Airtran had any non stops to MCO from CMH..

And you are aware of the changes they tend to make, so if it's very far in the future, be prepared for it.

And as far as the time, lol, I like to leave as early as I can, so I'd go with the 645 SW flight if I could . But again, I dont have kids..

Feb 1-9. They have 1 non-stop flight on the 1st. Would you just go with SW and not have to deal with the hassles? (Right now it would save $183) What are the chances SW rates come down?
thanks for all your info--it's very helpful!

 

[TDC Nala]

I just did it the other way around - flew down on SWA and back on Airtran.

I use two different airlines rather often - and almost all of my SWA flights are booked as one-ways only - and have never been tagged for extra screening.

The thing to watch is if you have two airlines with different policies, that is, how much do they want you to pay for checked luggage? (SWA is first two bags free, Airtran is first bag free.) Airtran charges a fee to select your seating in advance. On SWA you don't select advance seating. Airtran is known for changing flights; SWA almost never changes theirs. Et cetera.

 

[twinklebug]

You can use ME with both Airtran & SW. Regardless of who you fly in on, ME will retrieve your bags and send them along to your resort. On the way back however, ME is contracted with Airtran to check the bags for you but not with SW. You can still use the bus service, however you'll need to grab your bags and bring them with you to the check in counter.

We're doing exactly as you're thinking of doing with our next visit - down on Airtran, home on SW. Watch the airtran flights carefully as they are known for changing a non-stop to a one or even a two stop layover. They did this to our return trip & thats when I decided to book SW home for a more pleasant trip (more knee room and saved $100 too )

 

[dburg30]

Feb 1-9. They have 1 non-stop flight on the 1st. Would you just go with SW and not have to deal with the hassles? (Right now it would save $183) What are the chances SW rates come down?
thanks for all your info--it's very helpful!

Well, my SW rates started at 119, and they are the 79 area now.. The 2nd bag charge is a good point.
I like SW, but I am anxious to give AT a try sometime in the future..

 

[forgop]

You can use ME with both Airtran & SW. Regardless of who you fly in on, ME will retrieve your bags and send them along to your resort. On the way back however, ME is contracted with Airtran to check the bags for you but not with SW. You can still use the bus service, however you'll need to grab your bags and bring them with you to the check in counter.

Ditto the above. We flew SW last December and it was a pain messing around with our luggage. We're going AirTran in May. This time we'll check in our luggage the morning we leave and not have to touch it until we get home.

It'll be a nice feeling not having to mess with getting it on and off the bus. To me, it would have to be $50 more to fly back on SW, but then again, I was also dealing with 4 bags and carry-ons with 3 kids as well.

 

[twinklebug]

Ditto the above. We flew SW last December and it was a pain messing around with our luggage. We're going AirTran in May. This time we'll check in our luggage the morning we leave and not have to touch it until we get home.

It'll be a nice feeling not having to mess with getting it on and off the bus. To me, it would have to be $50 more to fly back on SW, but then again, I was also dealing with 4 bags and carry-ons with 3 kids as well.

It was nice to not have to touch the luggage until we arrived back in boston, but I think that was the problem which turned me off of AT - I'm not a fan of flying in/out of Boston and it's own inherent mess. Return trips for us from now on will always be SW & Providence for us unless we score seats on Jetblue. I don't mind handling my own luggage providing the wheels work

 

[Goobergirl]

I actually booked two different airlines for our Feb trip. I debated doing it, but I saved between $200-300, so....definitely worth it! We are going down on Airtran and coming back on Delta. I was glad both airlines will allow me to use ME without having to handle my own checked luggage. And within two days of booking my trip Airtran did change the flight time (earlier), but it so far is still non-stop.