Are DING flights the dregs? or good flights?

[Kay7979]

I recently signed up for the DING notifications, and so far the flights have been for dates I have no interest in, so I haven't paid much attention. Today, however, the DING included flights to Orlando, but it was for certain flights only, and they appeared to be super early flights or super late flights, which were times I would never choose to fly. Is this typical? Are all the DING fares for the least popular flight times? Or do the fares sometimes include the full range of normal flight times?
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[freckles and boo]

I have been checking Dings for a couple months now and they all seem to be for off hours. It seems logical to me that Southwest would offer deep discounts only on the least popular flight times to fill the planes and generate some revenue. I already have my airfare for my next trip, but I would certainly consider being flexible to get the great prices.

 

[HayGan]

Here is the response I also gave over on the budget board...

It all depends on the dates. For our September trip we received many dings for all times and some for just specific flights. We were able to get ding fares for both of our desired flight times, however, we ended up switching our return flight to an earlier time to get an even better price.

It all depends on how many seats have already been sold on those flights. If you are traveling on a popular travel day (Fri, Sat, Sun) then you are less likely to have a wider choice of times available under ding fares.

 

[Lewisc]

DING is used to fill flights that aren't selling well. As a general rule you shouldn't be expecting deeply discounted (DING) fares on the very popular flights such as the first N/S flight on a Saturday morning.

You may have to decide what's more important, price or great flight times.

 

[jenjersnap]

DING is used to fill flights that aren't selling well. As a general rule you shouldn't be expecting deeply discounted (DING) fares on the very popular flights such as the first N/S flight on a Saturday morning.

Wow, I must have been lucky because our DING was for the ONLY N/S from our city to MCO - at 9 a.m. on a Saturday morning, no less. I am guessing it's cos SW, and the Orlando nonstop, are pretty new to Denver.

 

[mom2of2]

here's how it usually works:
DINGS are offered for pretty much all flights about 2+ months out. As time gets closer to the flight, they start offering it for a little more money, maybe a different time and then eventually a specific flight.
I always book my regular flight and then wait for a DING. I usually catch it first time by and rebook with the exact flight and departure time.
I've been doing this since DINGS began.

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with mom2of2......I also do the same...book our flights....both one ways... since sometimes you can catch a DING for one way,but, not the other and then must cancel the entire original booking to take advantage of a good DING and can't get a good price for the non DING portion of the trip, so, it's not worth it. Then, I just keep checking every day for either sale fares or DINGS. I'm hoping this week for a DING for our October trip....however, even if I don't get one I am satisfied with our fares since I got a good sale a few weeks back for $59 each way ......total with taxes rd trp $137.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I had some really good luck for our recent trip to Tampa. We started out paying $79 each way (cheapest "regular" fare category), we ended up getting DINGS twice and lowered it each time, so that we ended up with $49 each way. We have $120 credit for our next trip, which is pretty significant!

Like others have said, DINGS are often for all flights, at least Mon-Thurs and Sat (and sometimes Fri and Sun). Then, as the dates get closer, they use them to fill the flights that are less full.

 

[K9pal]

We originally booked internet fares, then switched to Ding fares, SAME flights, when we were Dinged. Both flights are on Saturdays and are the only N/S flights between Louisville and Orlando. Actually, we went with SW for the first time this year because Delta and others didn't have flights with times that suited us - SW did, and non stop to boot.

 

[raven69david]

I was planning on only taking 1 trip this year for MVMCP. I got the ding fare in mid July for $79 to MCO which was from 8/1/06 through 9/31/06. Then I remembered i had gotten the email PIN code and was able to get AKL for $130 a night. The prices were so cheap i had to jump on it so now it looks like 2 trips to WDW this year.