Did we purchase airline tickets too early?

[frannn]

DH and I know his vacation time very early each year because he has to choose it in Jan. So, our Oct dates are pretty set in stone. I checked Jetblue's fares just to get an idea...and they were 144 going to WDW (not because any seats were purchased, but that is the starting fare they released for all seats to all airports in FL from NY), and 79. coming back. That is the steepest I have ever seen Jetblue's fares when they were first released (but I don't recall shopping for flights this early before). That makes the round trip about 240 with taxes and fees. I am confident that these fares will decrease in the future, as Jetblue introduces sales. I also have a 51. credit with them. So, I was prepared to wait a while, but started getting nervous about my dates in particular, since we will be flying to WDW on the Friday of Columbus Day weekend. If I didn't keep a close eye on the fares, all sales on my particular departure date be gone really fast. I checked other airlines websites, and was amazed to find a Song flight for my dates for 59. each way. With taxes, I paid 135.40 round trip /person. The cheapest I have ever paid was about 175. I am not thrilled with Song, and we swear by Jetblue, so I am questioning my purchase. I was even able to get seats in the front of the plane, so hopefully we will be some of the first to board (DD2 and DD11 will be flying). It looks like there are bathrooms in the front of the plane, but I could be wrong. Did I jump the gun, knowing we prefer Jetblue, and have a 51. credit with them (plus Song killed my stroller in '03).

 

[canwegosoon]

Frannn I think you did pretty good....I drive my self crazy over saving $50 , but with a busy weekend like that, I wish I could get 240 on my flights!!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

$59 is an excellent deal. It is probably the "T" class which is the fare war fare. (U is the everyday low price)

That Jet Blue $51 credit, is it per person or the total credit? Do you have another trip to use it on?

Did Song replace your stroller?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[westjones]

We have a 'benchmark' for what we are willing to pay for airfare (for us it is $150 or less round trip per person). Once I find that, I buy.

Just last week I bought on Northwest and later that day Southwest came out with prices and I could have saved $40 total ($10 per person) if I had just waited, BUT OH WELL! I am thrilled whenever we can fly for that price.

If you are happy with the price, just relax and don't worry. You will have a great trip.

DJ

 

[sanibelover]

Have you ever flown Song? We have only had excellent flights with them. If you are in the first 8 rows, then you will board first and get out faster. The individual TV monitors are great and they have Appletinis!!!!!!

 

[frannn]

but, who wants to fly to FL for work? I had to jump through hoops to get Song to pay for my stroller. The bottom line is-if your stroller gets damaged (and ours was gate checked, believe it or not) make sure to bring it to the airline's attention before you leave the airport. Jetblue's ontime record is better, and they give snacks during the flight, while Song sells their snacks. We'll probably eat breakfast at the airport (blech!) and I'll bring some snacks with me. Also Jetblue allows heavier (per piece) luggage. Jetblue just happened to be almost 105. more per ticket, so I figured I should go with the sure thing, which was Song. Hope Song amazes and delights me so I eat my words. BTW, what is an appletini?

 

[CarolA]

My thought is that if your luggage weighs over the Song limit of 50 lbs per piece you need to repack anyway. I mean do you really want to damage your back day one....

Also, regardless of the airline damages should be doucmented prior to leaving the airport. (none of them want to believe you later)

 

[kjwdad2]

I know how you all feel. I have been making myself crazy with looking for cheap flights. We flew Jet Blue last year and it was $69 out and 79$ home. Could not even get that now. It was like "FRANN" said they were in the 100's each way... ouch. So yes I gave in and booked with SONG for our Sept trip and it is $59 each way. I am paying $630 for all 5 of us!!!! That is crazy.... as for the luggae tip thanks. We way over packed for our first family trip last year and we are staying at the same time share so are going to pack less. Hey the TV is great with the 5 and 6 year old but it makes my DW sick as a dog... she can't even look at the screen. We learned that last year on Jet Blue. She is going to take something this year to help.

Thanks for all of the info and here is to seeing you all at WDW.

 

[Brendita]

It's never to early to book.
Just keep an eye on the fares if they do drop.
Request a refund for the difference.
I had already purchased my tickets For 12/01.
SWA dropped the fares so I called and asked for the difference.
No problem only had to make a trip to the airport ticket counter.
Took about 10 min got a check for the difference in about 10 days.

 

[MCazer]

I had already purchased my tickets For 12/01. SWA dropped the fares so I called and asked for the difference.

Brendita,

How did you make your reservations for 12/01, when Southwest only has flights open tilll August. (08/03/05)

 

[LauraAnn630]

We are paying 261.00 (with tax) none stop, continental, from Cleveland ohio!

I couldnt find a deal. We may have bought our tickets to early. Im always afraid we wont get a flight!

 

[notnothin]

I, too, bought tickets early from Southwest and they've now dropped the price. Can you really request a refund for the difference? I may try that today.

 

[MAGGIED]

I started looking into tickets for our April trip back in July - they were sold out!!!! I ended up having to take my kids out of school for two days and leave a day earlier on the return trip than I wanted - and then I still paid just of $250/pp from Syracuse to Orlando - I just couldn't chance that some of the discount airlines would have seats available being that it is spring break in NY when we are leaving.....

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I, too, bought tickets early from Southwest and they've now dropped the price. Can you really request a refund for the difference? I may try that today.

You can either get a refund or a credit for the difference. If you purchased non-refundable tickets, you can only request a credit. To change your tickets:

• Go to Southwest.com and click on the "TRAVEL CENTER" link in the blue banner at the top.
• Under the "Air" heading, click on the Change Air Reservation link.
• Enter your confirmation number and the credit card holder's name (as it appears on the card) in the spaces provided and click "Retrieve Flight Information". You flight onformation should come up.
• Click the box next to the flight(s) that you wish to switch and then click on the "Change Selected Trips" button. You should now be able to select new flight(s) and times, as well as new rates.
• After selecting your new flights, a page will come up with the new flight info and a new ticket price. If the price is less than you've already paid, you will be issued a credit. If your previous tickets were refundable, you will be given the option to have it credited to your credit card or saved as a credit to your account. If your previous tickets were non-refundable, you can only request a credit.

 

[the kabuki]

Don't worry too much about booking early. At least you got the flight you wanted at the times you wanted. I've waited too long for a cheaper flight and ended up paying for it when the flight times/days I wanted sold out.

 

[LIGrumpyGirl]

I booked an October flight from NY to MCO last week...$79 down and $59 up. Right now it is $109 down and still $59 up. That is the first week of the month though and not the holiday weekend. I have never seen JetBlue go down. Will have to look in the future.