Alleigant or Southwest

[JoanneDisFan]

We are flights for our upcoming trip this october. We live in NW Arkansas and can fly Alliegant at our local airport direct to Stanford-Orlando Airport, but we would end up renting a car as we wouldn't be able to use DME. Our second option is to fly Southwest out of Kansas City for a direct flight to Orlando, but this is a 4 hour drive. Southwest releases it's dates tomorow, but I don't know when Alliegant will release thier dates. Alliegant we would have to change our dates as they only fly tuesday and friday from our local airport(Fri 6pm so it is doable), but SW we could stick with out sat-sat plans. I've flown SW before, but have never flown on Alliegant so I don't have any comparisons. Any advice? It will be the 4 of us, 2 adults, a 12 yr old and a just 1 yr old.

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and I drive 2 hours west to New Orleans to get a direct flight on SW to MCO....so we drive west to fly east....I know sounds crazy but so great to have 1:45 min flight and we are used to the drive. It was cheaper for us to use SW also and we are flying out on a Sat because that was cheaper than Sun. I also pay the extra $10 for our tickets each way for the Early Bird Option. That way I don't have to worry about checking in 24 hours before the leaving flight at WDW--they do it for us.

Four hours drive kinda makes it a bit of a struggle to like that option though. I think I would take the hometown flight if you can change your dates easily, then get a car service at Sanford.

 

[ToddyLu]

If you rented the car you could make a grocery stop then turn it in a WDW at the Swan or other place. Car services will pick you up at Sanford, too. I think it may be a bit more expensive but so are rentals.

 

[ToddyLu]

Just a thought, how much is to check bags on Alligient, SW is free.

 

[Catira]

I usually fly Allegiant when available from S. Texas. It is a direct flight for us, and I always pay less than with Southwest. I would wait and compare both flights.. cost to add seats, early check in, etc. We always rent a car at Sanford and stop by to get groceries before heading to resort. It is a 45 minute drive from Sanford to Disney World.

 

[Dacky619]

I usually fly Allegiant when available from S. Texas. It is a direct flight for us, and I always pay less than with Southwest. I would wait and compare both flights.. cost to add seats, early check in, etc. We always rent a car at Sanford and stop by to get groceries before heading to resort. It is a 45 minute drive from Sanford to Disney World.

I'd compare these 2 as well, just make sure you do a full comparison. Allegiant seems to have quite a few fees, including a "convenience" fee for booking online (You can dodge that one by going to the airport to purchase the ticket). Here is a post from a few weeks ago about Allegiant:

I have never flown Allegiant before. We always travel Air Tran.

However, I saw a really good deal from Allegiant and the airport it flies out of is literally 5 minutes from our house, as opposed to 2 hours for Air Tran (Milwaukee is the closest). So I thought I'd try Allegiant and see how it goes.

First of all, it only flies into Sanford airport so we will have to rent a car.

Second, I just booked and our flight is now $120+ more due to fees!!! Thank goodness there are only 2 of us flying!

To pick our seats was $51.96. To do "priority boarding" was $39.96 and then they added on a "convenience fee" - don't even know what that is for $29.98! We are not going to check bags (that would have been another $100 for 2 people) so I'm wondering if they charged us a convenience fee because of that.

Has anyone else flown Allegiant? I'm hoping I didn't make a huge mistake!

 

[Edd]

I have known many passengers who flew Allegiant and were well pleased with the flight. It is a non-stop flight, flying at the most 2 1/2 hours. I have never known a question about the flight. The flight attendents keep you busy and happy thoughout the flight.

The biggest questions come with the charges. Allegiant lets you know all the extra charges and other airlines just put the extra charges into the ticket. At least you have a chance to not pay the extra charges with Allegiant. Generally when this is all put together I have heard families say they have saved $100.00 per family member on the average. This is just an average.

You don't need to pay some of the fees like selection of seat and priority boarding. I had one family tell me that if they wanted to split up his family on the seats that was okay with him. He would let someone else babyseat his kids. They don't split up families, but if you are the last to board your family may get split up. These flights fly with an above 95% passenger load. The priority charge could also be eliminated as when you board you will board with the other passengers, even after priority boarding there are plenty of seats available, unless you are late arriving at the airport.

 

[JoanneDisFan]

Another plus for alliegant and a rental car is I can buy diapers and such once we get to Orlando and I wouldn't have to pack them. I guess I will just wait till Alliegant releases their next dates.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

You don't need to pay some of the fees like selection of seat and priority boarding. I had one family tell me that if they wanted to split up his family on the seats that was okay with him. He would let someone else babyseat his kids. They don't split up families, but if you are the last to board your family may get split up. These flights fly with an above 95% passenger load. The priority charge could also be eliminated as when you board you will board with the other passengers, even after priority boarding there are plenty of seats available, unless you are late arriving at the airport.

Good analysis. Allegiant is full of fees but some are avoidable. In the case of the OP, that 4-hr drive would be a compelling argument in favor of Allegiant and having to rent a car a compelling argument in favor of Southwest. Best to wait to see how prices compare once both post them.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Alligent charges $35 for each piece of luggage per person each way. So if all of you check a bag tack on another $280 to the price of the tickets. Plus with the cost of gas going up and you said you would have to travel 8 hours round trip to get to the airport that alligent flys out of. The allligent tickets could be very costly once you add on all the other ancillary fee's.
SW does not charge for luggage. If the SW prices drop you can get a refund in the form of a travel vouchure that must be used within one year of the original booking date.

 

[DebbieB]

I read something over the weekend that Allegiant is considering charging for carryons like Spirit.

 

[JoanneDisFan]

I'm still trying to figure out my flights. Prices are out and I've researched fees. The prices take in to account, parking, seat fees, lugage fees, booking fee's, car rental for sanford, and gas.

So far my options are:

1. Local Airport (XNA) Delta/United/AA $2200
2. Local Airport (XNA) Allegiant $1600
3. Kansas City (4 hr away) Airtran $1400
3. Branson (2 hr away) Airtran $1100

I would love to fly locally but I'm kind of scared that Allegiant only flies twice a week, and we would get stuck in Orlando. I've also never flown Alliegant or Airtran so don't know how to compare the companies. I've heard that Allegiant sometimes will cancel flights and has long delays.

Any advice?

 

[jacdolfin]

I have never flown Allegiant before but booked them for our June trip to Disney. It saved me a whole bunch of money even wiht the added fees. I figure I will try it once see how it goes. There are 4 adults 2 kids going. It is a nonstop flight and Im flying from Laredo, TX could they cancel flights sure but highly unlikely. Its a new route from here.

Looking at your options I know youd rather fly local but Branson didnt look like a bad rate to mefor Airtran. Just FYI Allegiant flies from Branson/SPringfield to.

If I were you and decide to fly Allegiant Id prepay for assigned seating but thats my preference. However I believe I read you can preboard because of the baby so that might not even be an issue for you. If its about saving money and convience I dont think Allegiant can be beat. For 6 of us to fly with assigned seats and two checked bags was $1200(including the booking online convience fee).

If you need a rental car because you do fly into Sanford try www.carrentalsavers.com

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm still trying to figure out my flights. Prices are out and I've researched fees. The prices take in to account, parking, seat fees, lugage fees, booking fee's, car rental for sanford, and gas.

So far my options are:

1. Local Airport (XNA) Delta/United/AA $2200
2. Local Airport (XNA) Allegiant $1600
3. Kansas City (4 hr away) Airtran $1400
3. Branson (2 hr away) Airtran $1100

I would love to fly locally but I'm kind of scared that Allegiant only flies twice a week, and we would get stuck in Orlando. I've also never flown Alliegant or Airtran so don't know how to compare the companies. I've heard that Allegiant sometimes will cancel flights and has long delays.

Any advice?

I would go with Branson. AirTran would have many options if your flight is cancelled, plus you save $500 (-gas).

 

[Kae]

We love Alleigant. also look to see if they fly into clearwater/st.pete the dates they fly might be different & it is an easy drive to WDW. We have flown into Sanford & home by way of Clearwater before & the reverse too. One thing about Sanford is the rental counters were very crowded & slow so we send DH ahead to get the car, didnt have that problem at Clearwater.

for us it is just nice not having a long drive home after vacation.

Kae

 

[champ5601]

To the OP, SW also flys out of Tulsa, OK and Little Rock. How far are you from there? There might be some flights where you dont have to change planes, but alot of them look like you change in Houston or St Louis.

 

[JoanneDisFan]

SW out of TUL will cost me $1800. Not as good a deal as Airtran right now and not a direct flight.

 

[champ5601]

Keep an eye out though. A few months ago, our flights were $300 each way and we got them for $89 down and $124 back.