Any and all advice needed for airfare tips from Dallas?

[AR81]

We are planning a trip this summer which is will only be the second time we have been to florida. We are a family who doesn't fly often or hardly at all for our vacations. We usually stick to beach vacations, sea world, etc.. that we can drive too. In fact the last time we flew was the first time we went to Disney World in 2003. So of course we are trying to make this as reasonably priced as possible and do not want to spend an arm and leg on airfare. We will have 8 in our group so I am not oblivious to the fact that is going to be expensive but just trying to go the cheapest route as possible. And I honestly don't think driving is a possibility because we would have to take 2 cars, 24 hours, doesn't sound too appealing. That would add 1 1/2-2 days of traveling on both sides of the trip. So we have decided to fly. Can you give me some advice on where to go to get the cheapest rate? I was hoping to find it around 1500-2000 but maybe I am dreaming. When I just did a quote through the southwest website for grins it came up to 3500!!! We can't afford that. How do people get those incredibly cheap rates you hear about like 50-100 each way or something like that??? Any advice would be appreciated. TIA

 

[Jestocost]

We are planning a trip this summer which is will only be the second time we have been to florida. We are a family who doesn't fly often or hardly at all for our vacations. We usually stick to beach vacations, sea world, etc.. that we can drive too. In fact the last time we flew was the first time we went to Disney World in 2003. So of course we are trying to make this as reasonably priced as possible and do not want to spend an arm and leg on airfare. We will have 8 in our group so I am not oblivious to the fact that is going to be expensive but just trying to go the cheapest route as possible. And I honestly don't think driving is a possibility because we would have to take 2 cars, 24 hours, doesn't sound too appealing. That would add 1 1/2-2 days of traveling on both sides of the trip. So we have decided to fly. Can you give me some advice on where to go to get the cheapest rate? I was hoping to find it around 1500-2000 but maybe I am dreaming. When I just did a quote through the southwest website for grins it came up to 3500!!! We can't afford that. How do people get those incredibly cheap rates you hear about like 50-100 each way or something like that??? Any advice would be appreciated. TIA

What dates are you looking to travel? Your other best option might be American Airlines, which has a major hub at DFW and runs several non-stop flights per day to and from MCO. Try your search on aa.com (American also will show up on Travelocity, but not on Expedia or Orbitz).

 

[AR81]

It's going to be July 11-17th.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Your only real choices are AA, SW, and AirTran. We are ticketed for June on AirTran. It was $116 each to get there and $147 each to get back, NOT including taxes, fees, and baggage charges.

I don't think there is such thing as really low fares on that route anymore. I am watching our flights because I have heard if the price drops AirTran will issue a credit. But with gas prices headed to $4 a gallon I was scared to wait.

 

[AR81]

Wow. That's what I was afraid of. I think I read in the past where someone flew out of Shreveport I think through Jet blue and they got a pretty good deal. Do you think it is worth it to look into other cities to fly from that aren't that far from here and maybe flying into the other orlando airport? Obviously it would have to be a significant savings for me to consider that not just 20 or so dollars per person.....

 

[v.t.]

I have found that the cheapest flights out of DFW to MCO is American. When entering the number of passengers, enter 1 first and then try the maximum number. I book for 5 and sometimes I can get 3 at a cheaper rate than 5. (If that makes sense.) Also, with AA they let you put a 24 hour hold on the reservation. You could book for part of your group on Tues. and then hope they lower the prices that evening for the rest of the group on Wed. Use to the best days to book were Tues. and Wed. but I have noticed the prices with AA seem to change all the time. Just keep checking. Good Luck!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Wow. That's what I was afraid of. I think I read in the past where someone flew out of Shreveport I think through Jet blue and they got a pretty good deal. Do you think it is worth it to look into other cities to fly from that aren't that far from here and maybe flying into the other orlando airport? Obviously it would have to be a significant savings for me to consider that not just 20 or so dollars per person.....

We've never considered flying out of another city, so I don't know how much cheaper it might be. Flying into Sanford means you can not use Magical Express, but if you were planning to rent a car in Orlando anyway that wouldn't matter.

SW doesn't charge for bags, and parking is a bit cheaper at Love than at DFW, but their fares were no better and their flight times were worse than AirTran.

 

[AR81]

I have a quick question for you if you don't mind. I am looking at american and you are right they do seem to be cheaper. I found a couple schedules that were $97 and one that even said $75 for the departure flight but of course the return flights were either 184 or 162. Regardless of the particulars, but it is under the economy super saver rate column. I know it said something about nonrefundable so that means we can't cancel it for any reason without losing all of our money?? I hope that isn't a stupid question but I guess I need to weigh whether I need to book something with some type of cancellation policy or not....

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have a quick question for you if you don't mind. I am looking at american and you are right they do seem to be cheaper. I found a couple schedules that were $97 and one that even said $75 for the departure flight but of course the return flights were either 184 or 162. Regardless of the particulars, but it is under the economy super saver rate column. I know it said something about nonrefundable so that means we can't cancel it for any reason without losing all of our money?? I hope that isn't a stupid question but I guess I need to weigh whether I need to book something with some type of cancellation policy or not....

You can book the cheap flight as a one way and see what happens with the return.

American has a $150 change fee, so if you have to change the flight for any reason it will cost $150 per ticket to change it. I am thinking you would lose all of your money if you cancel, because the change fee is higher than the fare.

 

[AR81]

Thank you for your help. I am going to continue to do some research. One last question, do you seem to get better rates if you wait closer to the departure date for specials or whatever?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thank you for your help. I am going to continue to do some research. One last question, do you seem to get better rates if you wait closer to the departure date for specials or whatever?

I am a huge chicken, so I don't wait to see what the fares do. We are usually ticketed for air about 6 months before departure.

I see my AirTran flights have gone up since I looked this morning, but the specials they have been promoting are for Spring. Not sure if the June fares might go down if the seats aren't selling. The fares are lower about 3 weeks before our trip, but then they go up.

 

[rpbear]

I would check prices daily on AA and Airtran. Also you can usually get cheaper prices flying on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. I booked RT tickets from DFW on Airtran this week for $205. I check airfares every morning when I get to work when I am looking for flights. I have found flights are usually more expensive to purchase on the weekends so I don't shop then. A quick look at the Airtran flights shows a lot of open seats so I would shop for a few weeks.

Good Luck

Lucy

 

[mdh715]

I would strongly encourage you to fly Southwest. If you have a family of 8, you will save big $$$'s on Southwest, because they do not charge baggage fees. These can range from $20 per bag, on up, on all other airlines. They frequently run specials. If you book with them, and the fare goes down, you can grab that new fare (call Customer Service) and you will receive a credit towards your next flight.

My family and I are going in November, and it will definitely be on Southwest!!!

 

[Microcell]

Yeah another SW fan here.. and of course they now own Airtran.. so both would be worth watching. My times from KC on SW have kind of gotten out of whack too... but are usually the cheapest for us.. two checked bags for free per person goes a long way toward savings!

I also like the fact that if you have to cancel you have up to a year from original purchase to use the credits with no change fee. They are very focused (at least in KC) with being and staying on time and after 7 flights the past 7 years have never arrived or departed late! The flight attendants are also wonderful!

Good luck with whatever you find!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The downside to MCO to DAL for us was the only direct flight left MCO at 8 AM. To avoid Magical Express picking us up at 5 AM we would have had to pay for a Town Car back to the airport, and even that would have meant leaving the resort at 6 AM. I like leaving to go to WDW at dark o'clock in the morning. Coming HOME at that hour is not so fun.

 

[SonicGuy]

The problem is your days of the week. Flying on Monday and Sunday is expensive. We ALWAYS fly Airtran DFW to MCO and usually fly Saturday to Saturday. We are going next month over Presidents Day and spent $184 per person TOTAL (including tax) roundtrip.

Be flexible with your dates and it can make a huge difference.

 

[seashoreCM]

The downside to MCO to DAL for us was the only direct flight left MCO at 8 AM. To avoid Magical Express picking us up at 5 AM we would have had to pay for a Town Car back to the airport, and even that would have meant leaving the resort at 6 AM. I like leaving to go to WDW at dark o'clock in the morning. Coming HOME at that hour is not so fun.

Or check out the previous day, take Magical Express that previous night, and stay at a hotel near the airport.

 

[ksloane]

I'm flying out of/into Dallas in May/June. This is the 3rd time we've flown out of dallas. In 2 of the 3 instances, I've found SW out of Love to be cheaper after I took into account luggage fees.

As someone else mentioned, with 8 people, those luggage fees can add up quickly! Make sure to take that into account as you make a decision.

If you are comfortable with driving to a different city, do price those. You never know what you'll find. Though any time I've priced Shreveport, it's been HIGH!!!!!

I do change out from flying out of Houston and Dallas though as each trip seems to be the other on is the cheapest.

On the SW website, if you choose flexible fair, it will show you a calendar of the month and what the lowest fair is on each day. I always check that. (and scored $67 fare for going to MCO this trip). For one of our trips, it was cheaper to pay the additional hotel day and park day after I took into account the cost of airfare.

I've booked my May 30 airfare but not my June 6 returning airfare yet as the emails I'm getting with reduced airfare ends in mid May. I'm hoping they'll extend that soon into June. I do check every day though and haven't been able to catch it under $150 or it would be purchased.

 

[aubriee]

I just went and checked my fares for my April 30th-May 8th flights. I purchased them Oct 18th through Air Tran for $149.40 r/t (not including the seat or luggage fees). I fly from DFW to MCO several times a year and this is the cheapest I have ever found them, though I did get my flights for this past Dec 4th-12th for around $180.00 again through Air Tran. Flying out of DFW I usually grab them anytime they're around $210.00 or less. I do check frequently with Southwest, but they seem to always be alot more expensive, even with the bag fees.