Allegiant air

[utkscvol1]

Has anyone flown allegiance air into Orlando Sanford? We are going to do a quick 3 day trip in between our annual and we can fly it for all 4 of us for almost the cost of one round trip into Mco. I know we have to grab a taxi but not a problem.

 

[JDUCKY]

I've flown my daughter on Allegiant many times for trips back north to visit her mother. Never had a problem with them. Just need to watch the fares as they can climb quickly and, of course, the departure and return days might not fit your schedule. But, getting in/out of that airport is a breeze since it's so small.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Rather than a taxi, look to a rental car, even if it sits at your Resort.

The fastest route is 55 miles. Taxi fares in Orlando are $2.40 for the first 1/4 mile and then 60¢ per additional 1/4 mile. So taxi each way would run about $130 plus tip.

 

[thedonduck]

I would suggest getting a rental. It's a pretty decent drive to the Sanford airport! I can't even imagine the taxi fare!

While I haven't ever flown Allegiant before, we are looking into it because they fly into our old hometown! And usually it's pretty good prices!

 

[POB14]

We did, once, a few years ago. Very small airport (I love very small airports).

I certainly would rent a car.

I would recommend the tollway around Orlando, even though it's longer; you avoid the traffic through Orlando.

 

[danny1649]

The experts here will give you some great information.

 

[SheenaXena21]

I've flown Allegiant, I think around 5 times. We've never had a problem. As PP have stated, Sanford is a very small airport. We're actually returning home from with Allegiant our upcoming trip.

I remember one trip, they had ONE counter open (and I think 2 or 3 agents), with a HUGE line of people trying to check-in. They had to have a person pull people that were about to miss their flight, and take them to the front of the line, which annoyed people who showed up on time to check-in.

So definately show up 2 hours before your departure.

 

[disneymarie]

Has anyone flown allegiance air into Orlando Sanford? We are going to do a quick 3 day trip in between our annual and we can fly it for all 4 of us for almost the cost of one round trip into Mco. I know we have to grab a taxi but not a problem.

The flight was great, the added fees suck and add up. You pre check online luggage for $20 check bag, $16 overhead each leg. They only allow 40 lbs, at 42 lbs we were okay. They took each personal bag and overhead and checked the size.

Then a bottle of water is $2.50 and snacks $3.00 was annoying. I abstained, but was given a glass to take a pill.
I was looking for fee to use the "head!"

Then we rented a van, $300. Tolls were about $6-7, longer drive... I choose because I got some seats for $35, $55,$75 and airport fees. Flew back to our local airport 1 hr 45 min flight, and 25 min drive home.

So gives and takes.

 

[Laz]

I have flown Allegiant many times and must also remind you that they are known for long delays. I have had up to a 4hour delay more than once. I was just on their website and noticed that they charge a fee if you use a credit card instead of a debit card. IMO, they are starting to go a bit too far. I am reconsidering my flying options.

 

[QueenElinor]

Allegiant is great if you know what you're getting into.
I love it because I can get direct flights to the Bay Area where my daughter goes to college. Next week I'm going for $88 roundtrip, (plus $30 for the carryon, of course) to surprise her.

Normally, the ticket would be about $300 (if I'm lucky), with a connection.

This particular flight hasn't been late for me. However, Allegiant is definitely for leisure travelers- I'd never take it if I had an appointment to keep that day. Don't schedule anything you can't get a refund on for your day of arrival!

On the other hand, one time I was flying the whole family to Phoenix, and with all the fees (baggage, picking your seat) etc. plus the fact that they don't fly every day from my town, I gave up and went with Delta.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We use them from Chattanooga and have always had a good experience.
If you book online there is about a $15 convenience fee per ticket so we go to the airport to save that.
You can do a one way rental from there to Disney and drop off the car. National/Alamo are at the Swan/Dolphin and Budget is at the Doubletree in Downtown Disney. The easiest is to use the Swan/Dolphin one and walk to Hollywood Studios and get a bus to your resort. Reserve another car when you leave and take a bus to the Studios, walk to the Swan and get your car. For a short stay it is easier to just keep the car.
We take 417 the Greenway. It is about 45 minutes and 6-7 dollars in tolls. I have seen a few speed traps along there within 20 minutes of the airport so watch your speed.

 

[dzneelvr]

we've flown Allegiant many times to avoid the horrible Ohare-MCO experience and never had any issues! I'd suggest you bring snacks along flight as the choices onboard are quite expensive. Sanford is a wonderful airport to fly into--small, quick security, etc. We'll be flying again soon

 

[utkscvol1]

We use them from Chattanooga and have always had a good experience.
If you book online there is about a $15 convenience fee per ticket so we go to the airport to save that.
You can do a one way rental from there to Disney and drop off the car. National/Alamo are at the Swan/Dolphin and Budget is at the Doubletree in Downtown Disney. The easiest is to use the Swan/Dolphin one and walk to Hollywood Studios and get a bus to your resort. Reserve another car when you leave and take a bus to the Studios, walk to the Swan and get your car. For a short stay it is easier to just keep the car.
We take 417 the Greenway. It is about 45 minutes and 6-7 dollars in tolls. I have seen a few speed traps along there within 20 minutes of the airport so watch your speed.

We live in Cleveland, so we would be flying out of chattanooga

 

[QueenElinor]

We use them from Chattanooga and have always had a good experience.
If you book online there is about a $15 convenience fee per ticket so we go to the airport to save that.
You can do a one way rental from there to Disney and drop off the car. National/Alamo are at the Swan/Dolphin and Budget is at the Doubletree in Downtown Disney. The easiest is to use the Swan/Dolphin one and walk to Hollywood Studios and get a bus to your resort. Reserve another car when you leave and take a bus to the Studios, walk to the Swan and get your car. For a short stay it is easier to just keep the car.
We take 417 the Greenway. It is about 45 minutes and 6-7 dollars in tolls. I have seen a few speed traps along there within 20 minutes of the airport so watch your speed.

I have never been charged an online booking fee with Allegiant. The only payment fee I've seen is between debit & credit (it's a couple bucks more for the latter). Just to be sure, I checked both the receipt and my bank account and it is not there. (It's a flight I paid for last week that departs next week). There is a fee for calling them, but most airlines charge more for tickets purchased that way.

 

[JDUCKY]

I have never been charged an online booking fee with Allegiant. The only payment fee I've seen is between debit & credit (it's a couple bucks more for the latter). Just to be sure, I checked both the receipt and my bank account and it is not there. (It's a flight I paid for last week that departs next week). There is a fee for calling them, but most airlines charge more for tickets purchased that way.

It's part of the fare. The only way to avoid their "convenience fee" is to book the ticket in-person at an Allegiant counter

 

[QueenElinor]

It's part of the fare. The only way to avoid their "convenience fee" is to book the ticket in-person at an Allegiant counter

Well, by law it has to be disclosed if that's the case. I've gone over that website pretty throughly and I don't see it.
The web site states there is a fee of $14.99 for the call center, but says nothing about the online service. I'll keep looking though

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

We have flown Allegiant many times, not only to Orlando but to Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas too. I you know about the extra fees and charges and what to avoid you can get some VERY good ticket prices.

We like Allegiant for the price and they fly direct. My husband really dislikes connections.

Out of all the flights we have taken with them we have had 3 delays that were inconvenient, as in more than an hour.

 

[QueenElinor]

Aha- I found something buried in their Terms & Conditions:

"Electronic Carrier Usage Charge - Fares displayed are inclusive of an electronic usage charge of $10 per passenger, per segment, applicable to all airline reservations booked through the Web site or call center."

But, that may be old info because the charge for using a call center is actually $14.99 .

It would be awesome to save another $20, in my town it's really easy to stop at the airport. Then I could fly RT to CA for only $68.00! (taxes included!)

Thanks JDUCKY

 

[utkscvol1]

We ended up booking allegiant for our trip in 12 days. It was 125 round trip per person- we saved $80 by going to the airport and purchasing. Also they charge a min of $30 per checked bag- as we are only staying 3 nights we just checked 2- then they charge $10 per person per way if u want to pick ur seats. Still though we paid for the 4 of us what it would have cost for 1.5 tickets on one of the major airlines. Plus it's an hour and a half straight shot to Sanford vs a 5 hour -1 layover to mco On a major carrier. We got a deal thru my husbands work on our rental car so it's running is $114 after tax. Now here is hoping for no hiccups

 

[KrazeeK120]

I have flown Allegiant many times and must also remind you that they are known for long delays. I have had up to a 4hour delay more than once. I was just on their website and noticed that they charge a fee if you use a credit card instead of a debit card. IMO, they are starting to go a bit too far. I am reconsidering my flying options.

This isn't true. The credit card price is built into the fare. You're given a discount if you use a debit card. I'm assuming that they have built standard credit card fees (that they must pay) into their fares and then give those back to customers who choose not to use a credit card.

I figure the money is coming out of my bank account either way, so I don't have a problem using my debit card to get the discount.