Counsel needed for booking dilemma, please.

[Fargoman2]

Our family of 5 is headed to WDW in early August.

Our flying options:
1. Home airport (FARgo) on Allegiant is currently $348 RT per person plus fees and taxes. (And yes I know that means flying into Sanford, but we are renting a car, so DME is not a factor in this decision.)

2. MSP (4 hour drive from home) is currently $188 RT per person plus fees and taxes on Southwest.

On the surface, this seems like a "no-brainer" but I wonder:
1. Will Allegiant drop any fares for Aug. as we get closer to June?
2. What's my "worth the convenience" threshold? Meaning, currently I'm guestimating about a $700 savings by going MSP (BEFORE you factor in overnight hotel cost, gas and extra travel day for meal expenses). Still, as it stands at the moment, I'd be WAY AHEAD going to MSP.

So, my question, would you:
A. Grab the Southwest fare before it GOES HIGHER
B. Wait and hope for lower MSP fares
C. Wait and hope for lower FAR (Allegiant fares)
D. Other, please explain

Thanks in advance!!

 

[dioxide45]

Jump on MSP now. Most people lose when they gamble trying to time airline prices. If you can get a fare you are comfortable with out of MSP, then take it.

What time does the flight leave from MSP? Do you really need an overnight hotel. Would it be possible to just get up early and drive to the airport before the flight?

 

[DebbieB]

I would grab SW. I would not be comfortable with an airline that only flys twice a week out of my airport. Any other options with a connection out of Fargo that would save the drive?

 

[Tara]

I'd book the Southwest option now. There's currently a Florida tourism offer that can get you a $25 off code for roundtrip airfare on Southwest - it takes a few days to get the email with the code, but it could be a good way to knock a little more off your airfare outlay. Not sure how much your hotel costs would be - the $125 would go a long way toward paying for the hotel, though!

 

[Aristocath]

I'd book with SW today. $188 roundtrip is an excellent price. And as a PP said you'll have more options from MSP in case of any flight cancellations or weather problems.

 

[mom of 3G's]

I'm going to go against the grain -- I'm all for convenience and I think the Allegiant flights will go down-- I don't think their prices will go up. How old are your children? The convenience of hopping in the car and being at the airport is worth the difference in price. Can you tell I'm practicing my speech for DH??? He wants to fly Allegiant because it's cheaper (and 3-1/2 hours away in Fargo) and I want to fly Delta because it's closer to home (45 minutes), but more expensive by about $500. With 3 little kids, the cost of convenience is worth it.

 

[skiingfast]

I would go with SW from MSP. Airlines using a common airport, have similar costs the prices will move mostly in sync. Since SW is already low neither may have much room to go down.

I also like the suggestion to drive to MSP, even if you have to leave at 12am for an early flight, you could sleep on the plane.

 

[DVC4US]

I would jump on SW and do the drive. I have to agree with the OP about flying an airline that only has one flight a day and only flies twice a week. This is a big reason we have moved away from Alliegiant. Also, have you factored in checked bags(if you are planning on this)? On SW bags fly free and on Alliegiant you have to pay. I don't know what they are to Orlando, but the last time we flew Alliegiant to Las Vegas, it was $40 for a checked bag.

 

[duffy]

I would wait and hope for Allegiant to go down.

My nearest Allegiant airport is 2 hours away, and they have flights in May for $19.99 each way! $19.99 each way!! But, our flight is in November, and the calendar isn't open for November yet for us.