Clark Howard is predicting low airfares

[ceecee]

I was listening to Clark Howard (the radio show) and he said he thinks airfare will be going down in the near future. Seems Southwest has lowered theirs already. I booked on AirTran last night (never used them before and am a little worried now, but USAir fares kept going up and we couldn't use our FF miles). Airtran lowered theirs by $40.00 and the way home is non-stop which is hard to get from Dayton, so I went ahead and purchased them. Has anyone used AirTran?

 

[dizcrazy]

We usually fly US Air (we evenhave their credit card) but their prices were so much higher in May we flew Air Trans instead.

DH was freaked out about Airtrans and convinced we'd have nothing but trouble.
HOWEVER . . . I am happy to post that it was a pleasant experience.

We were traveling with an infant so we were not able to login 24 hours before flights and pick our seats. Try to do that - will make life easier.

Also, I noticed in MCO that most of us were coming from Disney and hadn't logged in to pick seats. This was the only negative thing I can say - we got our boarding passes 2 hours early AND WERE NOT GIVEN SEATS TOGETHER! very annoying. we paid $35 each and upgraded to business class so we could sit together. worth every penny.

 

[snowiit]

I just booked on United from Chicago to Orlando and return starting the last week in Sept. I looked two days ago before I was sure I could go and it was $156.70 roundtrip which I thought was wonderful for a round trip on United. Well today I found out that I can go for sure and I got online to book it, hoping it was still 156.70. Guess what??? It had gone DOWN to $136.70 for the same round trip times I had looked at originally. I am ONE HAPPY CAMPER!

Nancy

 

[Puffy2]

I've used Airtran a lot. I used to think Delta was "better" but I've flown Delta twice now in the last year and didn't have that great of experiences (one landing was scary).

Anyway, Airtran has many new planes (doesn't mean your flight will be one but it might).

In Orlando the check in line for Airtran can be very long. Give yourself plenty of time when going back home.

Check in early - to get seats together. Now Airtran offers assigned seating when booking your flight BUT it COST MORE. This means there will be less "together seating " when you arrive at the airport if you didn't buy the preassigned seats. This is a bummer because I'm not paying extra for it.

All Airlines seem to be often boarding early these days - when they say be at the gate 10 minutes before take off, don't believe that - you really need to be at the gate 30 min. before take off because I've seen them board that early before. Some of the flights are over booked and if you arrive "late" you might be out of luck.

Also, speaking of which, if you are able be ready to volunteer to give up your seats on your flight - they will offer you free tickets on a future flight as a payment. Great deal if you have the time to wait around until they can put you on another plane.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

They say to be at the gate at least 10 mins. before departure because if you are not there at least 10 mins. before departure, they can and probably will give away your seat.
All airlines traditionally start boarding 20-30 mins. before departure.

 

[blanq]

My family flew Air Tran for the first time, from MSP to MCO, earlier this year. I would not hesitate to fly them again. We found their service to be great and they have a very young fleet of planes. The best part...only $30 to upgrade (per leg) to business class, if seats are available the day of your flight. We had no problems scoring an upgrade for all legs of our flight. I will say that they were overbooked (one leg they were overbooked by 12!). They did get volunteers before resorting to bumping, and the perk was up to 2 round trip tickets per person for a voluntary bump...so, not bad if you don't mind waiting around for the next flight. Anyway, to avoid an involuntary bump, make sure to check in early.

 

[aholley1061]

Just booked Nashville to Orlando on Southwest for September $101.40 pp round trip!!!!

 

[Robinrs]

I use Airtran almost exclusively since I have a friend who works there.

By the way, I worked with Clark Howard for years. He was the first person I ever met who was CHEAPER than ME!!

 

[ceecee]

Clark Howard will be speaking at my husband's credit union tomorrow. I love cheap!

 

[Pembo]

We flew Airtran in Dec. I called about 24-48 hours ahead and got seating. I told them I had small children. I even called from WDW. I thought they were great and we had no probs!

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Originally posted by Robinrs
By the way, I worked with Clark Howard for years. He was the first person I ever met who was CHEAPER than ME!!

I too worked with Clark (well actually for him not with him) for years. Weird. Yes he is mighty frugal.