Anyone else get UNAVAILABLE for SW??

[MemoryMakers2669]

I wouldn't worry about this. For our December trip, this happened to my cousin, flying from BWI to MCO. One day, the $79 fare did open up on ONE of the flights, so she of course grabbed it. As the trip grew closer though, the entire schedule not only opened up with the low everyday fare, but then went on sale for $49 and she got a credit. Not sure why they do that, but it does happen. I wouldn't stress out. If you can get decent airfare on another airline, go for it, but if not, then just keep watching SW.

 

[karla63]

I too have to book for 6 people out of Indy to MCO. Not really wanting to have a credit later for that many people. I can get airtran right now for 99 each way out of Dayton, but would really prefer to fly SW. My dates are June 1-10th

 

[Rpsemont]

There have been many times that when the flights around Pres week opened up, only full fare was available. I have found that within a day or two, or sometimes even within hours (later in the day) the lower fares start to open up. That being said, it depends on your travel dates and your flexibility. If there are flight times that you MUST have, then book at what's available and hope you can rebook later and get a credit. If you have some flexibility (e.g. you need to fly on Saturday, there are 6 flights, and all have availability (put in 8 passengers to check) you can hang back and wait for a awhile. It's only after some of the flights start to show total unavailabilty that I would lock in at whatever I could get if I was committed to flyng that day.

Hope this makes sense.
Anne

 

[PlutosFriend]

I wouldn't worry about this. For our December trip, this happened to my cousin, flying from BWI to MCO. One day, the $79 fare did open up on ONE of the flights, so she of course grabbed it. As the trip grew closer though, the entire schedule not only opened up with the low everyday fare, but then went on sale for $49 and she got a credit. Not sure why they do that, but it does happen. I wouldn't stress out. If you can get decent airfare on another airline, go for it, but if not, then just keep watching SW.

Great advice and very true! The moment I booked SW at higher fares for our May trip last year, they opened up more flights at a cheaper price! Hang in there and check SWA site daily. I think it wasn't til March that I booked the May fares for last year and they then had a sale.

 

[famfab5]

Thanks everyone for posting positive thoughts...I was a bit frantic this morning when our times were unavailable. I will wait a bit and hope for the times to open up! This is our first time flying and it will be with the Grandparents so I am anxious to get it all done and finalized!!

 

[loveFL]

We took a much later flight than we wanted, and are coming back a day later due to fares... If only Southwest wouldn't play theses games.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

So... what holiday falls on June 3 and June 8, which are the dates I'm looking at that are unavailable??? Geez.

They concider trips in both a week or 2 away from the holiday as possible travel times.

We did June 2 and the 9th return.

I did get the 2nd flights here from BWI at the lower rate but only the late return (thats fine just more park time).

They did have a few of the other flight as Unavail and my Blackberry is still showing May10th as the booking date. I'm glad I got to a computer as they opened my Aug VBR flights as well so I booked 16 total seats on 6 different ressies. The blackberry would have been hard.

It is nice to have 11 flights going and 12 returning to choose from with all but 1 down and 2 return all N/Ss

 

[tchrrx]

Is there a certain reason that a lot of you fly SW? I've only flown one time as an adult & that was with Delta (I think) last year. I've read things on here about ABC tickets or something like that and it's making me nervous that SW may not allow me to sit with my daughter or that we may have other difficulties. But, I really don't understand it all. Will you help me know why (other than price) one airline is preferred over others?

 

[Jeanne B]

I need to book a one-way from Santa Ana to Phoenix for DH, DD and I in late June and all the internet fares are unavailable. Fortunately I'm not in a rush to book but I'll have to keep a regular watch so I don't miss any internet fares that open up.

 

[Darcy03231]

Well I was planning on going 8/11 - 8/25 but now its 8/10 - 8/24 . Took the last flight of the day on both dates at $69 each way. Total cost was $155.80 per ticket . Since the least expensive I found prior to this was over $300.00 per ticket I'm a happy camper!

 

[loveFL]

Is there a certain reason that a lot of you fly SW? I've only flown one time as an adult & that was with Delta (I think) last year. I've read things on here about ABC tickets or something like that and it's making me nervous that SW may not allow me to sit with my daughter or that we may have other difficulties. But, I really don't understand it all. Will you help me know why (other than price) one airline is preferred over others?

Well, usually Southwest is cheaper than the other airlines. Plus, many of us book one trip, the price goes down, and we get a credit for the difference that is good for a year from the original purchase date, so we book Southwest to use that credit. I also like their frequent flyer program, as I travel enough to get free tickets in a reasonable amount of time (no having to fly so many miles to get a free ticket).

Yes, checking in up to 24 hours in advance to get an A boarding pass is a pain. And, lately I've noticed people start getting in line almost an hour before the flight. If the other airlines offer similar prices to Southwest (which does happen), I'd gladly fly them instead.

 

[K9pal]

Just looked at the fares again this morning, Fun Fares are now open. They were UNAVAILABLE all day yesterday. Maybe I can hope for Internet Fares this weekend??

 

[bubba's mom]

Thought about it too late yesterday at work, but got the first flight down and last one home (both nonstop). Paid more than usual, but will watch for rate to come down and get credit....then we'll HAVE to go next year ....darn! I think SW releases dates and makes the popular ones "unavailable" unless you pay the higher rate. Either way, they get your money, whether you pay more, or take a credit later. It seems more "unavailable" rates are on popular flying times (Fridays, Sat., Sundays)...whereas weekdays are more open. We always fly a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Try to come home on a Saturday (last flight), but that doesn't always work (did this year!) That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it

 

[UConnJack]

Paid more than usual, but will watch for rate to come down and get credit....then we'll HAVE to go next year ....darn! I think SW releases dates and makes the popular ones "unavailable" unless you pay the higher rate. Either way, they get your money, whether you pay more, or take a credit later.

Like I said before, SWA are crack dealers!

 

[bubba's mom]

SW will open the cheaper fares to start filling the plane up....that's why they are waiting to make the "unavailable" available. If people don't like what they see, they can always fly someone else. And, I thought SW's prepay fuel was paid thru 2008?? Was I wrong?