Airtran/SW changing times ?

[tlenzendorf]

Is there a minimum time that they can change your flight that they won't let you change to another flight? Or can someone explain to me how that works? Airtran and Southwest both fly out of Milwaukee, they both have $129/way tickets, but when you get to final pricing, SW ends up being about $50 more due to fees. We are leaning towards Airtran but I would like to know more about the flight time changes and changing flights.

Thanks!

 

[Vijoge]

I have no idea about AirTran but SWA isn't going to change the flight.

 

[Jestocost]

AirTran has been pretty notorious about changing flight times and also replacing non-stop flights with connecting flights. When comparing costs don't forget to take into account that SWA allows two free checked bags per ticketed passenger and AirTran charges for checked bags. Also consider that SWA charges no fees to change or cancel flights, so you'll get full credit (typically not a refund, however), whereas AirTran will charge you to change your flights or to cancel.

SWA's schedule is pretty much set in stone. I've had 2-3 time over the past few years when they have changed flight times by a few minutes one way or another, but never any significant changes.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Thanks to both of you. It seems weird to me that although they both have the $129/way that SW ends up being $50 more, even with us paying for 2 checked bags as AT. Also good to know about AT changing non-stops to flights with stops. With 3 kids we do not want any stops, especially since this is a surprise, wake up cause we are going to DW today trip!

 

[LJD2143]

I fly out of Milwaukee too.....

Over the past 5 years, we have used AirTran 3 times (in late Sept) without any problems:
1 - We always book Non-Stop (when available) and they've never changed it to a One-Stop.
2 - The flight times have changed minimally, by minutes, not hours.

That said, now that Southwest is an option, I was definitely going to check out their rates/schedules too. However, our trip is in late October this year and neither SW or AT have released late October yet.

With the same rates, I'd be interested to know how SW ended up costing more though?

 

[tlenzendorf]

They had some additional fees hidden in at the end that you don't see at the beginning. It was a per segment charge or something like that that was $16/person additional. Well with 5 people and only checking 1 bag, it makes it worth it for us to go with Airtran. I think it's just going to come down to what times we like better when it's finally time to book, though. $50 isn't going to make or break our flight budget one way or the other.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I would hesitate to call them hidden fees. All airlines have to charge security fees and taxes. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

 

[Cherinva]

I can't speak for Airtran, but on SW...they don't change the schedules....once the schedules are announced, they stay firm....unlike other airlines.

 

[tlenzendorf]

I would hesitate to call them hidden fees. All airlines have to charge security fees and taxes. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

True, they aren't hidden. SW has higher fees than AT does in our case. All in all Airtran is less even though they have the "same" $129/way fare.

 

[lugnut33]

What fees exactly?

I fly SW out of Milwaukee and love it compared to any other airlines. Just a few weeks ago we decided to stay a couple of extra days after the Daytona 500 and I switched flights for no fee and actually ended up saving money by switching. Plus, I love travelling without a carryon bag, so I just check my luggage and don't have any worries.

 

[tlenzendorf]

[/B]

What fees exactly?

I fly SW out of Milwaukee and love it compared to any other airlines. Just a few weeks ago we decided to stay a couple of extra days after the Daytona 500 and I switched flights for no fee and actually ended up saving money by switching. Plus, I love travelling without a carryon bag, so I just check my luggage and don't have any worries.

I wish I knew how to do screen shots, but I don't so I will copy and paste instead.

Here is Airtran:
Flying September 16-30 from MKE to MCO doing nonstop flights, tickets are listed as $129/way before taxes and fees.

pricing details (Why is this fare different?) fare rules


Departing (Coach)
Airfare / passenger 120.00
Taxes / passenger (details) $18.20 Subtotal / passenger $138.20
x 5 passenger(s) $691.00

Returning (Coach)
Airfare / passenger 120.00
Taxes / passenger (details) $19.70 Subtotal / passenger $139.70
x 5 passenger(s) $698.50




Total Cost of Flight $1389.50


Now Southwest:
Flying September 16-30 from MKE to MCO, tickets are listed as $129/way before taxes and fees.

Passenger Type Trip Routing Fare Type Base Fare Govt. Taxes
and Fees Quantity Total
Adult Depart MKE-MCO Wanna Get Away $120.00 $18.20 5 $691.00
Adult Return MCO-BWI-MKE Wanna Get Away $120.00 $30.40 5 $752.00
Please read the fare rules associated with this purchase. $240.00 $48.60 5 $1443.00
Total Due $1443.00

 

[Vijoge]

[/B]

Adult Return MCO-BWI-MKE Wanna Get Away $120.00 $30.40 5 $752.00

Ok, now I see. It's the extra fee due to this not being an non-stop flight and there is an additional fee for landing at BWI. Looks like the AirTran flight is non-stop so it doesn't have this fee.

 

[DebbieB]

[/B]

I wish I knew how to do screen shots, but I don't so I will copy and paste instead.

Here is Airtran:
Flying September 16-30 from MKE to MCO doing nonstop flights, tickets are listed as $129/way before taxes and fees.

pricing details (Why is this fare different?) fare rules


Departing (Coach)
Airfare / passenger 120.00
Taxes / passenger (details) $18.20 Subtotal / passenger $138.20
x 5 passenger(s) $691.00

Returning (Coach)
Airfare / passenger 120.00
Taxes / passenger (details) $19.70 Subtotal / passenger $139.70
x 5 passenger(s) $698.50




Total Cost of Flight $1389.50


Now Southwest:
Flying September 16-30 from MKE to MCO, tickets are listed as $129/way before taxes and fees.

Passenger Type Trip Routing Fare Type Base Fare Govt. Taxes
and Fees Quantity Total
Adult Depart MKE-MCO Wanna Get Away $120.00 $18.20 5 $691.00
Adult Return MCO-BWI-MKE Wanna Get Away $120.00 $30.40 5 $752.00
Please read the fare rules associated with this purchase. $240.00 $48.60 5 $1443.00
Total Due $1443.00

Is AirTran non-stop both ways? On the SW ticket, you have a connection in BWI on the way back. You get hit with extra taxes when you connect, there's an airport tax plus I think you get hit with the 9-11 fee twice.

 

[tlenzendorf]

The one way now costs more thru SW, but even when it was the same price at $129 it was still $50 more than AT.

I know I'm a little weird for knowing that, but I have been pricing these flights forever now

 

[lugnut33]

Yeah, it's not a random extra charge, it's the extra stop they are dinging you for. It's not right that our gov't is charging people for a layover.