Airtran prices--up up up

[marlaine]

We're going to WDW for the 5th straight year in Sept. We have flown Airtran for the last 3 years--no complaints. They just released the fares for the week we're going--I can't beleive how high the prices are!
Last year we paid about $1100.00 for the 3 of us.
This year it's $2030!!!!!
What's the best way to pay less? We've always flown NON-STOP because our trip is only 6 days. We like to go really early and arrive at MCO before noon.
Any suggestions? My DH says to wait to see if it'll come down. I'm afraid there will not be any seats left on the one and only non-stop.

 

[Pennykay]

I usually go to Disney in August of September and in the past have always found Airtran to have the cheapest flights in Feb. Keep a look out in the next few weeks, maybe the rates will come down.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Hang tight. The prices will come down. My magic 8 ball says so. LOL

 

[polineedyan]

In dealing with Airtran, I always take the 'web special.' They come and go, and I have seen them introduce the flight , remove the discount, and add it later. I like to go thru the year and see when the lower flights are..then wait for the web special. If there is one, I jump on it, because it may not be back.
Of course, cheap airfare doesnt always coincide with the park attendance, etc..so sometimes you have to pay the going rate for when you plan on going. We usually book around the airfare, though.

 

[marlaine]

How do the web specials work? I always feel uncomfortable unless I actually talk to a person. I've gotten tickets straight thru the airline, but I've always called and talked to someone. Do I just purchase online for the web specials without speaking with someone? Is it reliable?

 

[rstamm]

We're going to WDW for the 5th straight year in Sept. We have flown Airtran for the last 3 years--no complaints. They just released the fares for the week we're going--I can't beleive how high the prices are!
Last year we paid about $1100.00 for the 3 of us.
This year it's $2030!!!!!
What's the best way to pay less? We've always flown NON-STOP because our trip is only 6 days. We like to go really early and arrive at MCO before noon.
Any suggestions? My DH says to wait to see if it'll come down. I'm afraid there will not be any seats left on the one and only non-stop.

You don't say where you are flying from, that makes a big difference.

The prices here have not gone up at all.

We are from PA and I just booked today for August and it is $64-$69 each way, non-stop.

Their prices do jump up and down so when you see one you like bounce on it.

 

[TDC Nala]

You do realize you pay extra just for calling and booking by phone. Most airlines have a service charge added for doing this. If you book online, you don't pay it.

September prices for Labor Day weekend are brand new for my airports, and there's no lower-price offerings yet, only the most expensive tickets available. I'd wait.

 

[marlaine]

We will be flying from Chicago Midway. Sept 12 to 17.
I didn't know I paid extra for talking to a person!
I have so much to learn.

 

[rstamm]

We will be flying from Chicago Midway. Sept 12 to 17.
I didn't know I paid extra for talking to a person!
I have so much to learn.

Its $15 each reservation over the phone.

 

[polineedyan]

I have always booked online. i cant say it isnt reliable. its tremendously convenient. the web special is a low price fare for users of the airline's site. they are randomly available. I didnt mention what another poster did, which is the airport is important. For example, its cheaper for me to book out of Akron than Cleveland.

 

[mom2val]

Have you always booked so far out? I buy plane tickets 3 or 4 months out. We're going in December but I won't even start looking for plane tickets unitl the end of summer.

 

[maggiew]

I don't know where you live, but you might want to try flying out of Milwaukee. I have been able to get decent prices from there. I live on the north side of Chicago, so it is easy to get to Milwaukee.

Try also Southwest and Midwest out of Milwaukee.

I got tickets from Milwaukee to Tampa for $70 each way.

Also, they usually jack prices up over the weekend. Try to look for tickets on Tuesday.

Maggie

 

[ceecee]

DH said gas prices were going up and so were airfares, so I booked last month and they have gone up considerably. Check the web specials and book from there. I got $192.00 w/taxes RT for each of us from Ohio. It seems to be cheaper on Tuesday/Wednesday.

 

[zoemurr]

flown from Roch to Orlando many times and never paid more than $100 each way no matter the time of year. Takes a lot of checking, and doing it online has never been a problem.

I agree you are looking too far out.

However, your return flight right now is $94 if you want to book that, although we have seen as low as $69. It's a 4:30pm nonstop. I'm afraid it will change a dozen times though between now and then, but it will lock you into a price.

 

[jerseygirl81]

I agree with what a lot of other posters have said. Another thing I would recommend is flying in and out on Tues, Wed or Thursday the rates are often lower than on the weekends and flying at a time of day where the fare is less expensive. Also you can book through Kayak to avoid paying a fee for a seat assignment. Linda

 

[Pink Flamingo]

We usually fly AirTran for the non-stop flights too. I check the web regularly for prices. When the rates first came out for our June 2010 trip, they were very high, but in about a month or so they dropped significantly & have stayed the same since then.

I went ahead & booked the end of Dec. for our June trip b/c I felt the price was about as good as it was going to get ($64 each way).

My advice would be to just keep checking the AirTran web site & when you see a price you like, jump on it.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

My family is flying out of Milwaukee in August. We are flying Midwest airlines down, Saturday, and Airtran returning, the following Sunday. We paid $74+ taxes each way. We really wanted to return on Airtran with the bag check-in offered at Disney. When I saw Airtran opened up dates and was offering $74, I jumped on it. After ordering my tickets the price jumped up to $98. I thought it would remain $74 for the rest of the evening, but it did not. Now the price is around $134. I would also suggest using www.farecast.com. It is part of Bing and has a fare predictor (buy or wait) six months out. In the past, Milwaukee has been offering free airport parking to IL residents.

 

[disneypartyof4]

You don't say where you are flying from, that makes a big difference.

The prices here have not gone up at all.

We are from PA and I just booked today for August and it is $64-$69 each way, non-stop.

Their prices do jump up and down so when you see one you like bounce on it.

what days are you leaving I just looked at the dates aug 15-21 and the price was 94.00 down none stop early am and 74.00 on the way back for 74.00

 

[marlaine]

Thanks everyone for all your help!
We live in Northwest Indiana-Milwaukee is about 3 hours from us and Indianapolis is 2 1/2. We have been flying out of Midway because of convenience for my BIL to drive us. The first year we went out of O'Hare and we were so tired coming home that we would like to avoid it. (Midway is only about 45 minutes for us.)
Our trip is from Sunday 12 to Friday 17.
I will definately look on Tues. I saw that tip on TV one time and I completely forgot about it. Thank you!

 

[DVCBELLE]

They just released the schedule - so therefore the prices are higher - give it about a week and they will drop. They always have the highest prices up for a couple of days. Just hang tight.