Delta 300...SWA 280....what to do

[jasheehy]

I am flying in October thus here is the scenario...


Delta is basically $300 for non-stop....plane APPEARS to be 3/4 full.
Fly out of Louisville get to WDW on 11:45 AM and have a full day
Fly out of Louisville get to WDW at 3:00 and have a 1/2 day


SWA is basically $280..also with only two non-stops
Fly out at noon get to WDW at 3:00
Fly out at 5 and arrive at 7:00


Do I book now or wait to see if fares come down. These are the only two carriers that fly non stop.

Suggestions

 

[DVC Grammy]

How patient are you? Chances are that SW will offer some lower fares (either internet specials or Dings) between now and October. And even if you booked now and got lower fares later, you would get credits for future flights and no penalties for changing your itinerary.
With Delta, yes, you'd have assigned seating, but, Delta is notorious for changing their schedules (and sometimes the seating), and with so many months until October, I wouldn't plan on today's schedule being the same for October. (SWA is known for keeping to their schedules.)
We have both airlines offering non-stops from our airport, but after a number of unpleasant experiences with Delta, we now use SW and have never been unhappy with them. If you can, research others' experience with both carriers from YOUR airport, and pick the one that works best for you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I do not like SW, (because of the seat thing) so I would go with Delta, and take the earlier flight. Once we book, we do not go back and check prices...we are more or less a "find the best price now and book" couple. We already have our MCO flights for September, October and December.

Bobbi

 

[CDN Prince Charming]

Are those prices for 1 person? If so, I can't believe you would even entertain the idea of locking in with Delta.
A vote here for SW. Their prices will come down, you can take that to the bank! We have never been let down yet
Besides half the fun of trip planning is playing the SW waiting game!
CPC

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

I don't know where you are in Kentucky, but if you already in the Louisville area & not driving a ways just to get there, maybe consider driving to Indianapolis. The flights there are usually much less than Louisville. And several non-stop carriers -- Airtran, Southwest, Northwest.

Maybe that won't work for you, but that is what my cousin ended up doing & she lives in Louisville. It was worth the 2 hour drive to save money & get the best flight times.

 

[cropper]

I see you posted this at 8:05.....check Delta again! They appear to be having a special.

I am flying in October thus here is the scenario...


Delta is basically $300 for non-stop....plane APPEARS to be 3/4 full.
Fly out of Louisville get to WDW on 11:45 AM and have a full day
Fly out of Louisville get to WDW at 3:00 and have a 1/2 day


SWA is basically $280..also with only two non-stops
Fly out at noon get to WDW at 3:00
Fly out at 5 and arrive at 7:00


Do I book now or wait to see if fares come down. These are the only two carriers that fly non stop.

Suggestions

 

[loveswdw]

We too are in the same boat (traveling Oct 18-26). Delta's times are so much better for us. Their prices were down this AM to about $260 rt. Still not great but unfortunately from SDF Delta only flies the "tiny" Embraers direct so you have a VERY limited number of seats. The flight back that we wanted only has 3 or 4 seats still available (none together, scattered all over the plane). We like to fly 1st flight out and last flight home.

Last Dec. SW and Delta were pretty much the same price the whole time. People say wait for a sale. SW NEVER had a sale for our Dec. trip. The cheapest I saw was around $130 each way. Cheapest DING fare I saw was $109 O/W. No difference from Delta really. Who did we choose you ask? Delta--but we flew in and out of Cincinnati. Believe it or not, we snagged Cinci to MCO and back for $187 pp rt. Louisville was never cheaper than around $300 pp. That's an option you might consider if their prices drop cheaper (Cinci usually has around 4 direct flights a day and their planes are HUGE compared to Lville's.)

This time I'm hoping SW WILL have a sale but not holding my breath. They are adding another direct flight in the middle of July. They only have one direct a day now but after around July 15th they'll have two per day. So I'm not sure if they will be having a cheaper fare. That one direct flight fills up fast so the demand is there for 2 directs. There's no reason for them to have a sale if they can sell the seats at full fare. At least though SW direct planes are MUCH larger than Deltas.

I feel your pain!

 

[jasheehy]

Thanks, have thought of Cincy also as we are in Shelbyville and certainly not a bad drive. Indy is cheaper, but don't know if it is worth the 2 hour drive, etc.

I guess we will keep our fingers crossed together.

 

[ro80]

I would deginitely go the SW route - book it and if the fare goes down, you can get the credits for a future flight. I would also keep Indy as an open option also but the fares would have to be really low! (Keep in mind that I live in the smallest town in the smallest county in the smallest state in the US - for us to drive more than 30 minutes to get somewhere is like leaving the country!!! )

 

[jasheehy]

thanks for all the advice and ideas. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[loveswdw]

Just a heads up! Delta dropped some prices today. I just checked at 7:10 and the non-stops were $220 + tax and the 1-stops were $158 + tax. That's a little better. I still haven't booked anything.

 

[p2oh]

I just got two RT tickets for $356.60 nonstop each way. I am traveling in late Sept. for free dining. I am so excited!!!