Ding Disappointment!

[MarkerMouse]

Just wanted to express my disappointment in Ding lately. For those who don't know, Ding is a service of Southwest Airlines that notifies you online of "special" fares.

Ding used to always have Orlando, or other Florida destinations on the list. I have not seen Orlando for a long, long time. And the number of options on Ding each day has continued to decline.

Today, there is one option on Ding for KC. Just ONE, and that's Omaha. Nothing against Omaha, but if was wanting to go there, I'd drive. Come one Southwest, make it worth my while. Give me incentives to fly to places I WANT to go, Florida or not, instead of just places I could drive to just as quickly.

45 minutes from my house to the airport, arrive an hour early, allow 30 minutes to get parked and catch the shuttle to the terminal, Flight to Omaha 3-6 hours (it's not a direct flight), another hour to get bags and rental car... so, up to 8 hours to reach a destination I could drive to in a little over 3 hours.... thanks anyway Southwest, but that's not much of an incentive.

Ok, mini-rant over.

 

[Poodie]

Doesn't sound like much of a 'ding' to me! LOL!

My sister scored us some AWESOME airfare for our flight from Baltimore to Orlando in October.... $49 each way! It's on Airtran.... SW had nothing comparable!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Did you research your DING account to make certain that your favorite airports were listed?

 

[TivoQueen]

I agree that "Ding" is all its cracked up to be. We live in PGH and never had any good deals on Ding. I checked Southwest.com everyday for 2 months for my airfare to Disney and finally was able to book nonstop air to and from for a total of $900 for 5 from Pittsburgh. I also purchased airfare from PGH to Phoenix about a month ago and kept checking their rates daily. First the rates jumped $30 per tickets each way and just yesterday I went on and the rates dropped $50 per ticket each way so I saved another $200, which southwest will honor as a credit towards another flight. Just keep checking everyday and you will end up with a good deal.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

Southwest used to have the best fare's available, but no more I liked SW, but since the last 3 trips to WDW I have had to use JetBlue or Delta, they were even cheaper then SW. Sad because the airport they leave from here in NY ISP is one of the most convient airports to leave or arrive.

SW just doesn't have good fares anymore

 

[Debbie-TN]

We're getting some for here in Nashville, but nothing like it used to be. I'm waiting for dings for Sept. 28 to Oct. 3. So far they just go to the Sept. 30. Also they have really shortened the number of flights. We have always gotten 6:30 a.m. flights so we could get there every early. Now the earliest one is 8 o'clock and coming back home the latest is 5:30. I hope they add more flights soon. I'll keep checking the dings.

 

[daisyyy]

I check everyday too.... (I'm happy with my SW fare, but it doesn't hurt to check). I think you have to keep in mind that may of the other airlines are charging for bags, where as SW still doesn't. (for now)... And, I don't think you can check in at your resort yet for the return flight??

 

[scoot241]

Down here in the south, I haven't found anything that beats Southwest. Even if someone has a comparable or slightly lower fare, now you have to add in baggage fees and whatever else the other airlines want to charge you for.

I do agree, however, that Orlando hardly ever comes up on Ding. I've seen it once or twice, but not often.

I do check my fares every so often, and I've racked up about $150 in credits because the fares for my flights have gone down since I booked them.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

 

[Kathy C]

I agree with you. We're flying out of Houston/Hobby, a SWA hub, and I paid $300 per ticket. I bought them the day the new dates were released and they didn't even have that category "Internet only" fare and still don't for Houston/Orlando Dec 5-11. I do check every day though and so far have been able to cancel and rebook bringing the fare down to $250. Will keep checking - all my ticketless travel is going towards our airfare to Disney again in May 2010 - $180 so far!

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

NO doubt! that SW is good when it comes to getting credits if there is a difference in the fare, With my experience with Jet Blue you can do the same obtaining credits as long is the fare is lower then what you purchased it for.

I have a friend that works for SW airlines and he told me that here in ISP and pretty much all over that SW is cutting flights and raising the fare, there is just not enough of people traveling like 2-3 years ago so flights are going out empty.

I hope the economy and things for everyone will get better soon!!!

 

[eweiss1979]

Southwest isn't sure what the best move is at the moment. They bought up aviation fuel with an extended contract at prices before the big summer 2008 price hike. So in 2008 their fares where the most attractive because they were in the best position. Now that fuel has dramitically dropped in price since summer 2008 they aren't in that position anymore. At least they haven't started charging for your first checked bag yet.

Also I can't believe that they are still being hindered by the Wright Amendment that keeps them from flying non-stop out of Dallas (their headquarters). Not fair that Houston gets to have 2 major airports without restrictions but Dallas cannot. I'm sure if they could get that federal Wright Amendment thrown out then they could better position themselves in pricing also. But AA has to much control of US Congress to let that happen.

 

[Anonomom]

The Dings from RDU to Orlando have actually been fairly frequent, but they unfortunately haven't lined up with our dates and/or preferred flight times yet.

We had agreed that if we couldn't get the fare we wanted, we'd simply drive. But as the trip gets closer, I"ll admit I'm getting more and more tempted to just spend the extra money and fly.

 

[DVC Grammy]

I, too, agree with you. It "ain't what it used to be"! SW rates are mostly on par with JetBlue for when and where I want to go, so I choose the one that has a more convenient schedule for me. For AUS-MCO (in January) it will be SW going, JB coming back (extra bonus of having JB a luggage "partner" for the return trip). I do prefer these two because of no baggage charge for at least the first bag, which is all I ever check.
Ah.............I still fondly remember $24 each way, RDU-MCO!

 

[Brer Chump]

If your depending on Ding to get good fares you could be missing good sales. I have used Ding in the past but the $29 ding fares are long gone. My last two SWA bookings were on sales and got BUF to MCO for $58 o/w (Jan. 2009) and PIT to MCO (leave Aug 19) for $48 o/w. These were booked during a BUF sale and then a summer sale which was in April i believe.

 

[dburg30]

Booked some CMH to RDU for $30 each. Granted it's not to Disney, but they were great for us to be able to sneak in another visit to see family and the new baby!!

 

[rdsx28]

I agree the dings and fares from the Boston area lately have been horrible! they have had nothing special to offer for the last few months.

 

[pamjb]

Three years ago, Ding! was the best bet in town from PHL to MCO. $39 and $49 one way. More recently, the better fares have been thru fare sales. I am paying $69 each way for my September trip. I was also able to book $79 each way for a last minute (booked 3 weeks out) trip to WDW.
Till I add in all the extra fees that others charge (baggage, seat assignment, etc, etc) the fare comes close to SW.