Best Airfare Strategies

[MommyBell08]

Hey everyone! We are planning on traveling to the world on March 8, 2011. I was wondering about airfare. We are not tied to a particular airline and want to get the cheapest rate possible. If I am correct most haven't posted their pricing for that date yet, and I know earlier is usually cheapest, from what I have read. My question is, what websites or airlines do you have the best luck in price with. Do you have an email sent updating prices to you? or just check back often? Whats your favorite discount price site. We have the room but will need park tickets and DDP. Thanks so much folks!

 

[Pembo]

We are near Cleveland so I check airline prices out of Cleveland, Akron and Columbus. I like to fly non-stop so I know that we have a choice of Continental, Airtran or Southwest. Then I check each airlines site.

For us, the best choice is usually Southwest. Last summer I got tickets on the day they released fares and it ended up being the cheapest. This year I found a great fare about 2 months after they released...the price has now gone up $50 per ticket.

I've used Travelocity to compare and Kayak.

So first decide which airports you can fly out of, decide if you want to fly non-stop or not, figure out which airlines accomodate your needs and start watching their sites. Oh and don't forget to figure in the baggage fees if you fly any airline other than SW.

Good luck


Ps you said you have a room...to get DDP you need to have a package at a WDW resort with tickets.

 

[MommyBell08]

We are near Cleveland so I check airline prices out of Cleveland, Akron and Columbus. I like to fly non-stop so I know that we have a choice of Continental, Airtran or Southwest. Then I check each airlines site.

For us, the best choice is usually Southwest. Last summer I got tickets on the day they released fares and it ended up being the cheapest. This year I found a great fare about 2 months after they released...the price has now gone up $50 per ticket.

I've used Travelocity to compare and Kayak.

So first decide which airports you can fly out of, decide if you want to fly non-stop or not, figure out which airlines accomodate your needs and start watching their sites. Oh and don't forget to figure in the baggage fees if you fly any airline other than SW.

Good luck


Ps you said you have a room...to get DDP you need to have a package at a WDW resort with tickets.

Thanks for the advice.. We are able to get the DDP because we are DVC members. Ill check out Travelocity and Kayak. We will want non-stop and fly out of DTW Detroit Metro Airport.

 

[tinkmom2]

We used to fly Midwest but switched to Airtran. You can sign up for almost all the airlines websites and they will send you deals. I priced some air for this year even though I am not going back to the Mouse until 2011. In March of 2009 I bought too early and missed out when all the airfares drop. I am going to be monitoring prices and seats. If I see that seats are selling out I will buy. We have flown Delta, Midwest, Northwest, and Airtran. All are pretty much the same but I do miss my Midwest chocolate chip cookies lol! For me I don't like to book too much after 3 months out but I am a worry wart.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

Some airlines will give you the change on a card for a later trip if their fares drop.

 

[MommyBell08]

Some airlines will give you the change on a card for a later trip if their fares drop.

Do you know which ones? That would make me feel much better.

 

[cassie58]

If you are interested in Southwest, you can download the "DING", which alerts you when special fares come up from your pre-chosen city/ies you want to fly out of for your trip. Southwest does credit you the difference if flight goes down and you rebook it. Many people will book 1 leg at a time, so if 1st flight goes down, can use credit toward 2nd, or if you know you'll be using SW again w/i a yr.(I think this is when it expires) you can book RT.

I also use airfarewatchdog.com. Here you can program in which airports you want to fly out of, as well as to/froms you are planning, like Detroit to Orlando. It will send you a daily email w/prices on flights out of the airports you chose to many cities, and then alerts when a good fare comes up for the specific combo you're looking for, and you can click for details(dates available, fly Tues/Thur, etc.) They also post changes in bag fees, security rules, etc., and have even compiled a bag fee chart so you can check to see what you'd pay.

If you're looking for discount tickets, try Undercovertourist.com(great prices, tax & shipping included) and Mousesavers.com. (sign up for newsletter)who will let you know when prices will go up for next yr. & other hot deals alerts, as well as rental cars, etc. Ticket prices have been going up 1st week in Aug., so if you have the funds, buy in July(they have a great refund policy as well, if plans change. HTH!

cassie58
11/08-ASMo & Timeshare
8/09-CSR

 

[drmommy]

I also use Ding! from Southwest. It's on my desktop and on my iPhone. They send daily alerts with really low fares to a handful of destinations from your choice airport(s). Just out of curiosity, I plugged in some random dates to Orlando from Detroit, and the 'Wanna Get Away' rates are quite low. The departure leg was as low as $109 and the return $132. What I've done in the past is book the 'Wanna Get Away' flights to secure the low rate (because I have been burned by waiting too long and those rates go up as time passes). Then if a Ding! rate comes up that matches my dates/destination, then I can book that and get a credit for the difference. The only obstacle I see is that most flights from Detroit to Orlando have at least one stop, not necessarily a plane change. Southwest also lets each passenger check two bags at no charge...another significant savings! They are currently only taking reservations through October. Good luck!

 

[tavettava]

I see your from Michigan so try Airtan. We have gotten flights as low as $59 a week out from our date. Keep checking their website for wed deals. We always fly them since they are the cheapest and the most we have ever paid is $64 (one way.)

 

[beansmom]

i understand Jetblue is one of the credit if it drops airlines...I hope my price drops! LOL.

 

[MommyBell08]

Wow what great information. Thanks so much I will take all of your advise!