Anyone Have a "Feel" For Southwest's Rates?

[Christine]

Odd title, I know!!

I'm trying to plan a spur-of-the-moment trip to Disney. What got me thinking was about 2 weeks ago, there were $49 rates from BWI to MCO. By the time I seriously considered going (for a July trip), they were gone, of course!

Going to Disney as cheap as I can has always been a goal of mine and I'm usually successful.

For my 2007 trip, I got a $49 Ding (Dulles to Orlando) three weeks prior to my trip and it was over Easter on top of that.

What do you think will happen to the rates between now and July. I'm looking to go July 23rd or July 24th and return on July 30th. Right now, rates are at $79 each way. I've got a party of 6, so even $10 off each way is a good savings for us.

 

[Telcogirl]

I would say book it at $79 and if it goes on sale, then you can always get your credits for another trip to the World! If it goes up, you will kick your self for not jumping on this fare.

 

[Missytara]

I have been finding that even the time of day that you check them; they are different. I started checking when I got into work at 6:30 am, instead of waiting until lunchtime and it was even cheaper.....

 

[Christine]

I have been finding that even the time of day that you check them; they are different. I started checking when I got into work at 6:30 am, instead of waiting until lunchtime and it was even cheaper.....

I have been checking several times per day (as early at 5:00 a.m.) and there has been NO movement on Dulles to MCO. Maybe a few minor changes from BWI to MCO.

I know this sounds crazy but I doing one of those "throw it together" trips with 6 people. I don't want to go if I have to pay $80 each way $160 per ticket, so it's not worth it for me to book at the higher price.

I want to get the cheap ticket and, historically, I always have but I just don't have a feel for Southwest's pattern this year.

I'm sure I'll be able to tell everyone what is, though, in a few weeks from now!

 

[poohbear8]

I've been watching SW for my trip in Oct with DD also. I'm looking at IAD to MCO. Wednesday at 12:01am (est) the price on a return flight did drop from $99 to $79. I let it go, since it was leaving at 3 or so and I wanted a later flight. That rate only lasted about 15 mins! (also, just an FYI....this last Wed. United and Jet Blue did not change their prices at the 12:01am est time. I was up til 12:30 and never saw a change)

My suggestion if you want to wait til next Wed, (I'm no expert, but have obsessed over this for weeks now) is to know exactly which flights you will consider and ready to buy them as soon as the price drops. The flight I was watching was at one time $79, then it jumped to $99 and has held there for several weeks now.

On the other hand, since you are considering SW, at $79 from BWI....I think I would book that one. Then keep checking. If it drops, you have credit towards your next trip.

As for me, I have a flight to MCO. Not sure how I am getting home or IF I am coming home. I told my DH this and he laughed and said it was ok, he and my DS like a quiet house!

 

[Christine]

I've been watching SW for my trip in Oct with DD also. I'm looking at IAD to MCO. Wednesday at 12:01am (est) the price on a return flight did drop from $99 to $79. I let it go, since it was leaving at 3 or so and I wanted a later flight. That rate only lasted about 15 mins! (also, just an FYI....this last Wed. United and Jet Blue did not change their prices at the 12:01am est time. I was up til 12:30 and never saw a change)

My suggestion if you want to wait til next Wed, (I'm no expert, but have obsessed over this for weeks now) is to know exactly which flights you will consider and ready to buy them as soon as the price drops. The flight I was watching was at one time $79, then it jumped to $99 and has held there for several weeks now.

On the other hand, since you are considering SW, at $79 from BWI....I think I would book that one. Then keep checking. If it drops, you have credit towards your next trip.

As for me, I have a flight to MCO. Not sure how I am getting home or IF I am coming home. I told my DH this and he laughed and said it was ok, he and my DS like a quiet house!

My IAD flights are at $79 right now. BWI I can get as low as $67 but it will probably take a $49 flight to get me drive the extra distance.

I pretty much know my flights and I am constantly on and off the site waiting for that little drop in price. Oh, and waiting for a DING too. That happened to me in 2007. Three weeks before Easter, I got a DING for $49. I was able to fly out on Good Friday and return the following week $49 each way. I remember there was LOTS of selection. But up until that time, the rates were about $79 also. So, thinking this might happen again.