Booking flights WAY ahead - safe idea?? AirTran

[TAEMom]

Hi!

I'm planning a quick trip to WDW in early Feb. for DD and I and was thinking that it may be better to get tix. now, rather than wait, due to rising prices. What do you think?

AirTran currently has fantastic prices for nonstop flights, and I came very close to purchasing our tix, but my concern is whether or not they'll still be in business in Feb! I tried to do a little reading about their financial health, and while it sounds questionable, I'm wondering if it's any different from any airline at this time? Would it be safe to buy AirTran tix. for Feb??

Thanks!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I purchased my tickets in April for Sept. I paid less than $500.00 roundtrip for 4. The same tickets now are over $1,500.00. There is no guarantee with any airline these days. If you have a credit card that guarantee's purchases that would be your best bet in case something happens witht the airline. Try posting on the transportation board, they are very well versed in how to do this.

 

[Lucky4me]

I'd grab them if you thought the price was good. If they go out of business, you will still get a flight one way or another and won't (or shouldn't) be out any money.

 

[J3nn78]

I am not sure. We booked almost 6 months ahead with the same thought about rising costs.
Then I double checked the itinerary with Delta and they changed our flights. SO I canceled them and rebooked with another airline. For just over $100 less per person.
This morning i checked and the same flight I booked the other day was even cheaper. Now $60 less per person.

So all in all On 2 tickets I saved $300 plus, saving more each time.

That being said, I don't know if I would rely on that. Maybe I just got lucky

 

[Karlzmom]

I'd grab them if you thought the price was good. If they go out of business, you will still get a flight one way or another and won't (or shouldn't) be out any money.

I do recall reading somewhere that you want to make sure you get a "hard" ticket, not just an e-ticket for maximum ability to change airlines if needed.

Good Luck!

 

[TAEMom]

I'd grab them if you thought the price was good. If they go out of business, you will still get a flight one way or another and won't (or shouldn't) be out any money.

That is very helpful - my concern was that if I bought the tix. and the company was no longer flying, that we would just lose our $$.

From the replies so far, it sounds like at worst, we may end up paying a little more (or if we're lucky like the previous poster, maybe even less!) to fly on a different airline. That would make it an okay risk for me. Thanks!

 

[Chelley00]

Just go in with it knowing that your non-stop flight may not be non-stop by the time of your trip. They have been changing tons of itineraries, so they may switch your flight to one having a layover (like they did to DS) They did allow us to change the flight time to one leaving later at no change fee.

 

[sbell111]

You pays your money and you takes your chances.

 

[Jeanne B]

I'd grab them if you thought the price was good. If they go out of business, you will still get a flight one way or another and won't (or shouldn't) be out any money.

I don't understand this statement, if the airline goes out of business the OP would have to find flights on another airline which could potentially be a lot more than what she originally paid, she would also have to file a claim with her cc company to get the original airfare back.

To the OP, you mentioned non-stop flights and as a previous poster stated, keep in mind the airlines are making a LOT of changes these days so you're non-stop flight could eventually turn into a flight with a connection.

If it's a great rate, I personally would probably jump on it, especially if you're traveling around school vacation weeks. I'd be more concerned booking with Spirit these days than I would AirTran. I booked a non-stop flight with AA in February for our trip to the USVI's in late Nov/early Dec and knock on wood, our flight times have only changed once so far (for the better) and it's still a non-stop flight.

 

[carmie3377]

My MIL booked Airtran for our Sept/Oct trip. They were both non-stop and the times corresponded with my family's time (we are flying out of another airport on another airline) Anyway, Airtran canceled her flights and rebooked at another time that didn't work with our times. They thankfully refunded her the money and she rebooked on AA.

So, while their prices look good, they are notorious for changing times and canceling flights.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

There is probably not going to be an airline that does not change their flights in the future. Airtran changes flights and times, yes. But they are very accomadating in getting you a new flight and or time. All of the airlines are considering reducing or removing non-stop flights (except very short flights). Unless they can fill the entire flight it is not economical for them. Personally I would rather have a one stop and keep airfare rates down. With that being said, my flight times were changed on Airtran. My flight down leaves 30 minutes later and arrives 45 later (I guess they are slowing down planes) and my non-stop on the way home went from 7am to 3pm so we get more time in Disney. So not all changes are bad.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I'd grab them if you thought the price was good. If they go out of business, you will still get a flight one way or another and won't (or shouldn't) be out any money.

This is not necessarily true. If the airline goes out of business she could find herself dependent on the goodwill of other airlines or paying a hefty increase for new tickets elsewhere. Nobody other than the out of business people will owe her anything.

My strong recommendation is to choose your best credit card with a "purchase guarantee" policy and book with that. If you do not get what you paid for many CCs are set up to refund all or all but $50 of your purchase price. You're still stuck finding a new and probably more expensive flight but at least you'll know you're covered.

 

[kkwis2]

I booked AirTran in March for our October trip. I paid more for the nonstop flight not knowing that they can and will change that to a flight with stops. I would still book with AirTran, but I certainly wouldn't pay more for a flight that they are just going to change on me anyway.

Airfare seems to be a crapshoot right now. We are just crossing our fingers and hoping that we still have a flight there and back in October I guess.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Moms3sons]

We booked a great rate on AirTran in April for our end of Sep trip (and paid a little more for non-stop choices due to travel with young kids). Since then, both of our non-stop flights were cancelled and they automatically moved us to connecting flights. I was able to change to an alternate non-stop flight on our way to Orlando (at a far less convenient time), but the only non-stop return flight was much too late at night for our little ones causing us to have to connect on our way home. Beware that the "ideal" times of their non-stop options this far out is probably more likely to change than remain the same.

I'm still happy with the price we paid, but I could have saved about $25 per ticket x 4 if I had gone with the connecting flight home to begin with.

 

[mc'smommy]

Hi!

I'm planning a quick trip to WDW in early Feb. for DD and I and was thinking that it may be better to get tix. now, rather than wait, due to rising prices. What do you think?

AirTran currently has fantastic prices for nonstop flights, and I came very close to purchasing our tix, but my concern is whether or not they'll still be in business in Feb! I tried to do a little reading about their financial health, and while it sounds questionable, I'm wondering if it's any different from any airline at this time? Would it be safe to buy AirTran tix. for Feb??

Thanks!

Since Airtran is not listed in finanacial despair, buy insurance that covers Carrier Default should the company go under....

 

[Belle5]

I bought the travel insurance for $13 per ticket when I purchased my tickets for Airtran off of Hotwire. I am assuming that if Airtran would stop flying the travel insurance would refund the price I paid for the tickets. Is that correct?

 

[TAEMom]

With all the debate about nonstop v. one-stop and cost, etc, I just wanted to clarify - the nonstop is actually the CHEAPEST flight too. Weird, huh? I was mainly concerned about what would happen if they were to go out of business. DD will be 13, so having a stop, or having to fly later in the evening would not be terrible for us (just less convenient!). However, the trip is a surprise for her 13th bday, so not being able to go at all WOULD be terrible.

I do always purchase trip insurance, and especially since we're going in February, we could be dealing with bad weather or illness. I didn't realize that I could get insurance that would cover carrier default too, so I will look into that as well!

Thanks!

 

[Belle5]

I didn't realize that I could get insurance that would cover carrier default too, so I will look into that as well!

I don't know if you took that as fact from my above post, but just to clarify--I was asking a question--not stating a fact. I am waiting for someone to tell me if carrier default is covered on those insurance policies.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I purchased tickets on Skybus with my debit card...not the same as purchasing with a credit card apparently. I also purchased the trip insurance. It does not cover an airline going out of business (not that same as a cancelled flight I guess ) so I was o SOL all around...

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

We are flying AirTran in October and I bought our tickets in early February. I paid $620 for 3 R/T N/S tickets. I just couldn't pass up the $88/person/flight. And I felt better knowing we had our tickets - even though I knew our flights could change.

Our flights have changed very little since we bought the tickets in February (leaving 30 minutes earlier on the way down and 10 minues later on the way home).

I continue to watch our itinerary. We leave in about 12 weeks.