Does Southwest open with lowest prices first?

[PalVal]

Do prices usually go up or down once they announce their flight dates? Should I book as soon as they open Feb tomorrow because it is a holiday weekend? They only have 2 non stop flights from Manchester NH and I want to make sure I am on one of them. I just don't want to pay top dollars if they drop by $100 within weeks of opening dates Thanks...

 

[TandEsMommy]

There is no way to know for sure if fares will go up or down. If you are traveling a popular route during a busy travel time, the chances are obviously lower that you will find a fare sale, particularly for a non-stop. Not zero, but unlikely.

There is the option of rebooking for the credit if you will have the opportunity to use them.

 

[NJRRK]

Do prices usually go up or down once they announce their flight dates?

To answer this question - yes. They probably will go up, but they might come down. My suggestion, if you see a fare you are comfortable paying, go ahead and book it. Specially with Southwest where you can get a credit if the fares come down. (Sigh, remember when all airlines did that.)

 

[antree]

When our tickets came out for the end of Nov., we waited. I think our tickets were high in the beginning around 180.00. They since has dropped to 143 and 126. I grabbed them at 126. The tickets keeping jumping 126 back to 143 down to 126. So I don't think we will get them any lower. That's for Nov 27th. on a Tues. My Dh is flying on the 30th which is a Fri and his ticket isn't getting any lower then the 143. I might have to give in and buy that one.
Honestly, if the price is right for you grab it. If you can afford to wait, give it a couple of weeks and see what happens.
It is cheaper to fly on a Tues, Wed and Thursday. You will find the rate changes on the same days. Just check often and get them when you see a price you like.
Our ticket coming home went to 110, after watching them for weeks I decide that was the best I'll get for coming home. So I grabbed it.

 

[rascooby]

We are flying in November. Our flights started out around $160 each way, which I thought was too high. We waited and booked them at $150. Since then they've gone down to $129 for the way to MCO so I rebooked and now I have a credit. Since we don't fly often I'm not sure what to do with the credit because I think it's a $20 credit for each person, we can't use it for one ticket. I might just upgrade to Early Bird tickets to use the credit. If you fly a lot it's worth it to book when you think the price is decent and then keep watching to get a credit. If our other flight goes down I don't know what I'd do with more of a credit...

 

[mymickeyfans]

I don't know for sure, but we booked our flights for this October as soon as they were posted in the spring. It was about $100 total more than I wanted to spend going from Providence to Orlando for 4 people, but we jumped on it. Since then I've periodically checked the rates for the same flights, none have been cheaper, but I have seen it over $500 what we paid on certain days. I agree with the previous post that if you are comfortable with the price when they come out GO FOR IT!!!

Good luck!!

Me
DH
DS(7.5yrs)
DD(3yrs)

 

[Texashokies]

We have started buying our tickets the day they come out. The prices haven't been going down as often as they use to. If you are traveling on a holiday weekend they are more likely to go up. I think it all has to do with the popularity of those flights.

We booked our 12/30 flights on the day they came out. A oneway ticket from Austin to Orlando was $146. Our same flight that day is now $278 (still oneway) and has stayed at that price. I don't expect it to go down because of the date.

 

[Mousemom234]

Manchester usually books fast - especially during school vacation seasons.

Summer is a bit easier, but if you need a non-stop, my advice is to book well in advance, or be devoted to checking the prices every day.

Sign up for DING! - they've been quite good for us for tapping into the lowest fares.

If it works for you, they will credit if the rate drops and you modify (rebook), but you have to use that credit to fly before a year from date of original purchase (not date of travel).

 

[shannonstar]

My flights have bounced around. When they opened, flight there was 185. I got it for 99, now it is at 167.

I didn't buy Southwest for the return trip b/c the lowest it ever got was 267 and that was for an 8am flight. Cheapest right now is 319.

 

[Muhlenberg]

Are you booking Presidents Week from MHT??? I would book that when it opens, or soon thereafter. The fares from there for THAT week (because everyone wants to fly South) can be

My DD went through that. We watched fares climb for Spring Break week, too.

Good luck!

 

[Tara]

Since we don't fly often I'm not sure what to do with the credit because I think it's a $20 credit for each person, we can't use it for one ticket. I might just upgrade to Early Bird tickets to use the credit.

I thought you couldn't use travel funds (i.e. credits) to buy EBCI...did that change?

 

[PalVal]

Yes, we are flying Presidents week - hell week at Disney, but my grandchildren attend school in NY and MA and they have the same vacation that week. So off we go! I will book ASAP and deal with the holiday price I guess...

 

[Mich Mouse]

We are flying in November. Our flights started out around $160 each way, which I thought was too high. We waited and booked them at $150. Since then they've gone down to $129 for the way to MCO so I rebooked and now I have a credit. Since we don't fly often I'm not sure what to do with the credit because I think it's a $20 credit for each person, we can't use it for one ticket. I might just upgrade to Early Bird tickets to use the credit. If you fly a lot it's worth it to book when you think the price is decent and then keep watching to get a credit. If our other flight goes down I don't know what I'd do with more of a credit...

You can't use credits for early bird check in. I tried and was refused. Sorry.

 

[rascooby]

You can't use credits for early bird check in. I tried and was refused. Sorry.

You're right. Well, that's okay, my husband said we need to go visit his mom anyway. I guess maybe we'll fly again.