Best way to book sw flights

[jrw118]

Well tomorrow I can finally book flights for our August trip. We are traveling with 3 adults, my ds 8 and ds5. I am booking with points only. In anticipation to eventual rate drops, I want to book in the easiest way possible. I have 2 different scenarios. My aunt has her own sw account but I handle the booking

1) book me with ds 8, sh with ds 5 and my aunt (3rd adult) by herself
2) book 4 seats (me, dh, ds,ds ) and my aunt her own
My concern is if one of the flights goes down, will I be able to change one of them? Also I am concerned that if they do go down that 4 seats may not be available for the discount? Any help or suggestions would be great.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Book all together. If the flights go down, you can change the reservation for the same flight and get credited your points.

 

[jrw118]

Would I ever run into a problem that I could not get the discounted rate since I need 4 seats?

 

[MaleficentRN]

Would I ever run into a problem that I could not get the discounted rate since I need 4 seats?

Nope. I book me, Dh and my two kids together all the time and use points. Usually the flights go down and I'm credited.

 

[jrw118]

Thank you both very much. Now waiting for sw to open the schedule.

 

[CarrieR]

I disagree. Often the fare will drop or just one or two seats. Putting everyone on different PRNs is the best way to take advantage of a fare drop.

 

[Scotch]

I disagree. Often the fare will drop or just one or two seats. Putting everyone on different PRNs is the best way to take advantage of a fare drop.

I agree. I would go with your option #1 to make sure each child is ticketed with an adult. Also, I would book in one way segments. Others on DIS have posted that when a one way drop in airfare happens but a rate increase in the other way occurs at same time, they couldn't take advantage of the one way drop in fares when they booked a RT fare (since overall RT rate didn't drop). I plan to book in one way segments for this reason when SW releases our dates.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I disagree as well. There may one be one seat at the discounted price available. It happened to me I got the discounted price but DH didn't.

I also disagree with booking one ways on SWA because you can not get a refund if one of the flight goes down in price. YES you can exchange one leg of a RT ticket of the trip for a lower price even if you book RT tickets. When you go to the screen to change flights it gives you the option to chose which leg of your flight you want to change. I have done this many many times. If fact I just did it last night.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I also disagree with booking one ways on SWA because you can not get a refund if one of the flight goes down in price.

No, but you get a flight credit for the difference. You aren't getting a refund for any WN ticket unless you purchased a fully refundable ticket, which most people don't do.

 

[Scotch]

I also disagree with booking one ways on SWA because you can not get a refund if one of the flight goes down in price. YES you can exchange one leg of a RT ticket of the trip for a lower price even if you book RT tickets. When you go to the screen to change flights it gives you the option to chose which leg of your flight you want to change. I have done this many many times. If fact I just did it last night.

I should have clarified the situation I read about re why better to book one way on SW: See IDoDis's post on the Budget Board: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=47089941&highlight=one+way#post47089941. There doesn't seem to be a downside to booking one way but a potential downside to booking round trip if you are watching out for fare drops.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I should have clarified the situation I read about re why better to book one way on SW: See IDoDis's post on the Budget Board: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=47089941&highlight=one+way#post47089941. There doesn't seem to be a downside to booking one way but a potential downside to booking round trip if you are watching out for fare drops.

Then that situation she was change her return date which had a high fare price. We are referring to a drop in price on a flight we are currently booked on. If just that flight drops in price and you have booked a RT you can change just that portion of the ticket for a lower price.

But I don't know why she chose to change both leg of her trip. All you have to do is click the box next to the flight you want to change and that is the only one that will get changed. maybe she did not know to do that.

 

[Scotch]

Then that situation she was change her return date which had a high fare price. We are referring to a drop in price on a flight we are currently booked on. If just that flight drops in price and you have booked a RT you can change just that portion of the ticket for a lower price.

Yes, that situation involves a change in date. My point is there is no downside to booking one way segments. (Sorry for those confused since I didn't state it correctly in my original post re this.) But if you book RT, and you encounter a situation where you need/want to change one of the dates, then you could be at a disadvantage from a fare perspective. So when booking far out, it seems the way to maximize "best fare" options is to book one way (as long as you are not paying more for booking 2 one way tickets vs. 1 RT ticket). But obviously YMMV.

 

[jrw118]

Ok so I booked. The interesting component is that when you book with points each individual gets their own confirmation number so I can change the flights if necessary. I did book each way with different accounts so each leg is independent of one another. Thanks.