Booking airline tickets

[Erica09M]

I've never booked airline tickets before, so I'm clueless. If I don't book them through the Disney site, where should I book them through? Our trip isn't until May 2010. Who should we fly? We'll be flying out of Indianapolis, and we need a non-stop flight... if any of that matters.

Suggestions would be great!

 

[Dizneydaz]

You can always use a site like travelocity or expedia but I've had better luck check airlines sites directly. Plus most of the other sites don't list SW.

When my DD was younger we usually flew SW since we could board early. Then we switched over to Delta since the fares where the same (or less).However, this trip we are flying SW again. Main reason is the fare was a great deal and we can bring 2 suitcases each, no fees!

I booked our resort ressie in April but only our airfare sometime in June. I kept checking SW site until I found what I felt was a good deal ($139 rt from ONT to MCO). Then shortly after I booked it SW dropped fares to $90 e.w. I changed my ressie and received a $174 credit for use on another trip. Since then I have rebooked my trip to MCO to leave 2 1/2 hours earlier (for only $9 more each). I still have a credit of about $135 to use on SW during the next year.

I not familar with flights from your area but I would check SW and maybe Jet Blue. Air Tran is another one wo has pretty good fares (so I've heard).

Make sure when you compare fares you check their baggage rates. Sometimes when you figure in the baggage fees the cheaper flight may be more (unless you're on SW and there are no fees.)

HTH. Good luck

ADDED-I just checked SW and they do fly direct from IND to MCO once a day (and once a day back). They haven't posted March yet (only up to Jan. 8) so I checked dates in Jan. Sat. or Sunday departure is $115. Monday is only $63. Returning on a Wed. is also only $63. Sounds like a pretty good deal and you'll probably be able to find something along those fares (or cheaper?) when the March schedule is up.

Their current non stop to MCO leaves at 11:15 a.m. and arrives 1:35 p.m. Returning to IND is 10:25 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. There are additional flights but they have stops.

 

[Erica09M]

Thank you so much for the information! I really appreciate it! You've helped a lot!

 

[Dizneydaz]

You're welcome-have a great first trip! My DD was 2-3/4 on her first trip. She'll be 10 on this one.

 

[Jestocost]

My advice is to start getting an idea of what flights are available, which airlines fly non-stop, etc. Expedia, Travelocity, et al are a good place to start that research, but not a good place to book, IMO. It's also important to note that not all airlines, including SWA, show up in your searches on those travel sites.

Find out what prices are running, figure out what you want to pay, and when the two meet--book the tickets! But go directly to the airline's own Web site to do it.

FWIW, SWA opens bookings through March 12 on September 1 and probably will get around to opening at least some May dates in November (no guarantees, however). It could be January before all of May is open, however, so you have to determine your tolerance for playing the waiting game if you have other options that fit your budget.

Don't forget to consider the "extras" when pricing your tickets. These days that includes baggage fees (most airline charge you at least $15 to check one bag and more for additional bags, SWA doesn't currently charge for the first two bags), assigned seating, etc. All of those can add up.

 

[aprince2001]

We fly out of Indy every year on Airtran. Non-stop both ways. Watch for prices on airtran.com and they will fluctuate up and down but you can get them pretty cheap. We are flying on Labor day week for total of $685 for 4 people. Airtran has better non-stop flight times out of Indy and cheaper than SW. Also you can choose seats for $6 a person per flight or choose seats when you checkin. You can check in 24 hrs in advance online and choose your seats. Normally Airtran will run a $25 voucher sale around Mother' s day. If you have already booked you can use this to go in a choose your seats. One voucher per email but you can use more than one email to receive more vouchers. We are from So. Indiana about 30 mins. from Louisville, KY and fly Indy because Airtran is cheaper even with drive time and gas prices. Airtran does not fly out of Louisville.