Any reason not to book one-way flights on SW?

[drew2wdw]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to get a good deal on our SW flights (I know, isn't everybody?!?! ) Currently for the flight we want to take out to Orlando, the two lowest fares are already booked, so DINGS won't really help us on that one since they will also be unavailable. However the flight we want on the trip back is a late flight and the cheapest fare is still available, so if a DING were to come along, I should be able to get it for that flight.

So... what I'm considering doing is booking the flight out to Orlando but waiting a bit before I book the flight back. I don't fly very often so someone please tell me if I'm overlooking some reason why this wouldn't be a very good idea. As far as I can tell it shouldn't be any different than if I just booked it roundtrip...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would not do this for two reasons. First, RT tickets are almost always cheaper than buying 2 separate one way tickets and secondly, what if you buy a ticket one way, wait, and then discover you cannot get a return on the same airline for the day you want? You'll end up buying another 1 way ticket on a different airline, probably paying far more that the original RT ticket would have cost.

 

[clkelley]

On Southwest there is NO reason to book a Roundtrip. As a matter of fact it is almost always more beneficial to book one ways.

That way, when a Ding! or other special fare pops up and is only good for part of your trip, then you can lower the price for that part without risking the other half of the trip.

The only downside may be that one-way trips tend to have a higher chance of special security screening.

Carol

 

[andychris14]

I have to agree with the security issue. My brother/sister-in law and niece just got back flying jet blue. Since they flew down to orlando and flew back from tampa, they were stopped both ways with security issues. Even the 4 year old got frisked. It took them over an hour with security. They found out that they do this to everyone who does not book a round trip flight in and out of the same airport.

 

[drew2wdw]

Thanks all for your replys. I did confirm that there is NO price difference between booking as a round trip or as two one-way trips. The security thing was just the type of info I was looking for. I suspected something like that may be the case. That's something I'll consider. I may just call it quits and go ahead and just book the round trip. I was also wondering if it impacted the way you could check-in early (that 24 hour window thing)???

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I was also wondering if it impacted the way you could check-in early (that 24 hour window thing)???

No impact, as you can only check in up to 24 hours before a flight. Thus, you have to check in separately for your departure and return.

Please note that most airlines, unlike SWA, usually charge a higher ticket price for two one way tickets than RT tickets for the same route.

 

[puffkin]

Almost all the discount airlines book one way flights now instead of round trip. There is no reason NOT to book one ways on SouthWest. That way you have a better chance at getting a DING, even if it is only for one leg of your flight. The price is the same with the one way or RT tickets, but you will have a harder time changing things with the RT.

We fly out of PHL so we have several airlines to choose from. On our last trip we flew SW to MCO and Airtran home. Both were one way tickets. I was able to rebook the Southwest part when an Internet Sale came up and saved $60. We flew Airtran home because we wanted to come back late and the latest SW flight out of MCO was 4 pm which was too early for us. We had NO problems with security.

Many of the legacy carriers are starting to move towards one way pricing now as well. I really think it makes it easier on everyone involved and allows the customer to have more flexibility on flight times and airlines.

 

[LeslieG]

Just a note about Ding fares. Just because the lowest fares are already unavailable doesn't mean you won't get a Ding fare. I have seen this happen where a Ding fare is available even though the other lower rates are sold out. Probably doesn't happen often, but I've noticed it does occasionally.

 

[mareed]

We book one-ways on Southwest almost all of the time, and have never been selected for extra security because of this. And as you can see from my signature, we do fly pretty frequently. Not to say it can't happen, but it has not been my experience.