Anyone have large group booking experience with AIRTRAN?

[dudspizza]

I have been contacted by the Head Baseball Coach to look into booking flights for our high school's baseball team and chaperones for spring break 07. The total number of travelers is around 40. MSP to MCO non-stop. The only choices are Airtran, Sun Country, NWA, or a charter.

How is Airtran to work with when booking a large group? This group paid over $330pp for a spring break 05 trip, so I am hoping to get them a better deal. Heck, I would be filling up 1/3 or Airtrans flight with one phone call. Will they offer a decent price?

I know Airtran's flights are not out for then, but want to get a feel for what they may be offered. Their trip is March 30 to April 6 or 7.

Thanks.

Duds

 

[dudspizza]

anyone?

 

[safetymom]

I would do some research before calling the airline. Usually group fares aren't that great. It's a small discount. For that large of a group it may be harder to find good fares.

 

[yellowfish78]

Just call the airlines and ask for the Group Department.
With Airtran, they will fax, email or mail you a copy of a Group Contract.
The terms and conditions, deposit amount, when final is due, and when names are due, when you can cancel by, will be all layed out in this.
The problem with Airtran is that their schedule doesn't come out far in advance, because for some odd reason it's just what they do.
Northwest will already have their rates out for next March. I'd call them and just see what they have to offer for you.
Because it's Spring Break, you might run into some higher prices, but because you are flexable with your dates (and be flexible with your times!) you might get better rates.
Hope this helps!

 

[BELLE16127]

Your looking for a good deal????? Why not just book totally unrestricted tickets that way you can change if you need to change and there shouldn't be any issues. You have to kep in mind that if you book a $49.00 flight you are getting what you pay for.

 

[zulaya]

BELLE-- From MSP to MCO, there's a snowball's chance in h-e-double hockey sticks that a $49 fare would even exist.

Regular fares, lately, have been pushing $250-$300 per person. Unrestricted tickets...I can't even imagine how much it would cost. I am pretty sure duds' team is not going to be up for something that costly.

 

[dudspizza]

BELLE-- From MSP to MCO, there's a snowball's chance in h-e-double hockey sticks that a $49 fare would even exist.

Regular fares, lately, have been pushing $250-$300 per person. Unrestricted tickets...I can't even imagine how much it would cost. I am pretty sure duds' team is not going to be up for something that costly.

I am figuring the comments are coming from her other thread where I didn't agree that she should be paid compensation because Airtran changed their flight schedule.

I am simply trying to help a friend get the best deal so a Minnesota high school baseball team can get down to Orlando to take part in spring training at Disney's Wide World of Sports. I am not looking for anyone to give me anything, just simply wondering what they might offer a large group that is traveling together.

Duds

 

[elan]

I booked a group of 15 for this nov/dec through airtran. It is our first time using them. I called the day our flights became available(89 each way). When you call group travel they send the paperwork to their accting office and it takes a day or two before they call back with the cost. We ended up with 79 each way. Besides the price what I liked was we only had to make a 50.00 deposit on each ticket with the remaining due 30 days before travel and we do not have to give names until a few days before travel. If one person doesn't go another person can easily take their place. When our tickets are paid in full we will also have our seat assignments.