BUF - Airtran vs. SWA? Advise please!

[riu girl]

We are flying BUF-MCO or BUF - TPA (whichever is less expensive) Dec 16 /06 and TPA-BUF or MCO-BUF (whichever is less expensive) Jan 6/07 and are starting to think about airfare:

Right now
1. SWA ( Sept flights prices since this is as far out as they are currently booking) is $132 per flight segment plus taxes/fees. Total for 4 pax $1160US!!!

2. Airtran (mid-Dec flights prices since this is as far out as they are currently booking) is $84 -$94 per flight segment plus taxes/fees Total for 4 pax approx $850 US!!!

I am considering booking the Dec 16 SWA BUF-MCO at $132 (or whatever their flights prices will be then) when SWA releases their Dec/Jan flights , then hope for a DING/seat sale, re-book the BUF-MCO flight segment and then use the leftover ticketless travel funds for the Jan 6 MCO-BUF segment.
BUT what if there is no DING for Saturday travel (most DINGS now are for Tues/Wed only) or no seat sale for this date. Then I am stuck paying $132 per flight segment when I could have simply booked $84/$94 (if this price is sitll offered for Dec/Jan travel) per flight segment with Airtran?

What would you do?

Thanks

 

[chasbos]

I am a huge SWA fan, so I would book them and then wait for a DING and then use the remaining funds for future travel. But we also travel 3 or 4 times a year with them.

Last January DH and I flew BUF - TPA return for $236

The January before that (2005) our whole family of 6 flew BUF - MCO return for $451.

Now if you are not willing to gamble, then book Air Tran and be relaxed and at ease that your airfare is booked.

I on the other hand, as long as I am not paying the outrageous prices out of Toronto or Hamilton, I am happy!

 

[Debbie]

DSis and I booked Air Tran last summer. It felt good to have one more thing done! Yes, if we had waited we might have gotten a DING. BUT we were happy with the price, and it was okay. Air Tran did change our return flight by a couple of hours, and that made the layover in Atlanta longer-but we managed. BTW, connecting in Atlanta wasn't nearly as scary as it looked.

 

[dsneygirl]

I would wait. We went last Dec and didn't book our airfare until Aug/Sept. Originally booked at $69 or $79 each way then got a DING for $49. Unless you know you will be using SW again within the year then book when it is released but that won't be for a while still.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I would wait as well. I am waiting for SWA to open up for end Nov/beginning Dec. I think the $132 you are seeing is likely a 'regular' fare and often they have internet fares which are lower. The most I have spent is $79 each way. I know the waiting is hard but I think worth it this time. I also prefer SWA for it's non-stops to MCO. Airtran only has flights with 1 stop which makes a 2 1/2 hr flight into a 5 hr flight which I am not into.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Hockeychic]

I would also wait for SW, I love them.

I don't believe Airtran has a direct flight to Tampa or Orlando and SW has 1 or 2 most days.

I would wait......I am trying patiently for Oct/Nov dates....that is the worst part is waiting...

Kim

 

[dancin Disney style]

Last July we flew ATA for $747 for 4 tickets. I think you have time to wait for a better price but if you see a price that you are happy with you should book it. No matter what you do it will be far less that a flight out of Canada.