Did waiting (or not) for SW fares work out for you?

[Mommio]

Hi all!

Now that some of the anxiously awaited SW summer dates have been released, I'm wondering how everyone "fared" with their decision to wait (or not).

I waited since we couldn't find any reasonable fares or flights without stops. I was at my PC when I was DINGED! and immediately checked our dates. Leaving Chicago on Tues 6/20 we got a $73 base fare but returning Sun 6/25 got $111. Ouch! The lowest two $$ categories were unavailable before I even saw them. On the other hand, we did get great times for our flights and that's a big plus.

So, waiting worked out for us. We ended up with slightly better fares and non-stop flights. It's all good when you can save a few dollars.

to everyone who's slave to the next release

 

[Disney Ron]

Leaving for POP and Old Key West 6/23/-6/30 and managed to book the $59 internet rate out of Providence each way on the flights we wanted!

Love SWA!!!

Disney Ron

 

[lpbm4]

I'm wondering the same...how long *DO* you wait too?? WE dont' fly until December and it gets me nervous to have to wait that long. Waiting to hear how others did.

 

[Pinnie]

Didn't help me in the least. Fares from DTW to MCO for the days I need in June were $182 EACH way. SPIRIT got my business today!

pinnie

 

[pilgrimage]

I got a wonderful rate $54 plus tax each way for March break
travel Raleigh to Orlando. It had been $79 and up.

 

[Poohbear123]

Trip TO Orlando, as I paid 62.80 for that, about 2 weeks ago. However, this Tuesday I paid 47.80 for the return flight home.

 

[tmt martins]

Worked for me I had RR credit but the rest of the family I will be checking for a Ding to come along.

Now due to pricing I decided to go early and leave late so thats a plus.

I still will stick with SW because the flights can go down even without a ding .Now I'll wait for my Ding and them to Open DEC for my X-mas trip.

 

[dtuleya]

I thought waiting paid off for me, $740/total for 4 of us, but then I happened to stumble upon a AA flight for $435/total for us. They only con about the AA rate is that there is a 4 hour layover at MIA both ways. Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk.

 

[mom2missmous]

Didn't work out too well for us. I saw the release within about 5 minutes and the best I could do was 130 dollars one way (we couldn't even book round trip cause we go home Aug 4 one day too late) I actually regret that I booked now- should have said no thank you and just booked delta which had round trip for about 299 (which is about the BEST I can hope for now with SW if I am fast enough when they release the rest of the dates.) What I can't understand is did I miss out on the good rates in those five minutes or was that all that was offered?

 

[tmt martins]

I think they hold back some fares for lower releases and thats how they fill their Dings and internet weekly specials.I have my hopes (not to high ) that I will get a better price then I booked.

At least I have flights for now and all thats left is Van and I don't really care if I get that or not 'Will just do a day or two rental for the store if needed.

 

[MulanMom]

I was wondering the same thing. Been checking Dings and the SW website religiously. Wouldn't you know on the day they release the fares past June 9th, I don't get on the computer till after 2! I'd have to say waiting worked but only because I was a little flexible on my dates. It's amazing how many categories were unavailable for Friday n/s from PHL. I never expected them to go so quickly. I was disappointed with the fares starting at $79. I could've booked direct nonstop with AirTRan and/or USAir earlier for the same $ or a few dollars more and have the peace of mind with assigned seating. Maybe I'll save a little more in the future with a Ding.

 

[Dan Murfman]

I was getting anxious but I'm glad I waited. My first choice was to fly out of Hartford but that over 250 roundtrip. I checked Providence (just a bit further for us) and was ablr to get 135 roundtrip. The only problem being the return flight is earlier that I wanted but for 135 I'll take it.

 

[samano]

My prices didn't end up being that great, $91 each way Raleigh to MCO. I booked as soon as the schedule opened yesterday. The cheapest fares were the Fun Fares. I just checked again this morning, they now have Internet one-way fare of $89 each way. I just re-booked and have a $12 credit (woo-hoo!) But all in all, I am pleased. I got great flight times, and I will be watching faithfully for specials and Dings.

 

[georgina]

It worked out well for us. Unfortunately I couldn't get to a computer until 5:30, so the best rate on the morning flight to MCO I wanted was unavailable, so we are going the evening before. We paid $79 + fees each way, much cheaper than US AIr out of PIT

 

[pamjb]

I booked our fares for our March 1 trip on on October 28. Knowing that I had another trip planned for August, I could use the credit that I would have if the fares came down. So, I initially paid $530.70 round trip for 3 tickets (includes taxes and fees). In January, I got a Ding! and booked the first part of my trip with a $34 fare. Since we have to come back Sunday, I couldn't change that fare. So, I now have a credit of about $150 with Southwest to book my August flights.

 

[hapandpam]

We were able to get great rates- $73. each way from Albany, June 27 through July 9. I am unable to download Ding because our computer is so old, but we do have a new one on the way. I have never had luck waiting for rates to go down so I grabbed them as soon as they became available.

 

[disneycrazzzy]

I believe the cheapest fares may never have been offered on the day you are researching. I was looking to fly SEA-IND in June. The cheapest fares showed $89 one way. These internet fares were only available on Tuesdays. I checked several different weeks and this was the case. AND these cheapest fares were only for the worst flights (3 stops between Seattle and Indianapolis).

We ended up with a flight from Seattle to Chicago-Midway and Indianapolis to Seattle for $188 plus taxes. Saved about $75 per ticket.

 

[boomhauer]

Worked beautifully for me. Jet Blue would have run me $600 roundtrip for 3 of us. Southwest is running me $406 roundtrip, and our flight times are much better.

 

[Love Tigger]

Waiting and then checking back a day later worked for me. I'm not going to WDW until the end of August but I had two other trips planned for June. When I booked them yesterday, the internet fare wasn't available for any of the flights I wanted. Checked back today and saved $143 on three of the flights.

 

[tdryl98]

Checked my dates as soon as i was dinged, luckly bought tickets that night. paid 59.00, next day they were up to 109.00.