Flights on Southwest are much higher than usual. Where do you find cheaper flights

[jimmymc]

I search on Google Flights. They allow you to choose from multiple airports on either end of the trip and will piece together flights with different airlines each way. Once I know the flight I want, I'll always book through the airline directly.

 

[Sabres431]

I also use Google flights. I had a great flight with JetBlue round trip out of Albany in August, $788 round trip for 4. They cancelled the early flight and put us on a 5:45pm flight. They wouldn't let me switch airports and my only option was a refund. Every other flight is double that price right now.

 

[matt_in_nh]

I also use Google flights. I had a great flight with JetBlue round trip out of Albany in August, $788 round trip for 4. They cancelled the early flight and put us on a 5:45pm flight. They wouldn't let me switch airports and my only option was a refund. Every other flight is double that price right now.

That is one thing about Southwest, when they cancel a flight they give you full discretion on options, different airports whatever flight you want, no cost. I grew up in WNY but now live in NH...I had a flight booked from RSW to BOS because getting to NH (MHT) was outrageous ($500+ per person X 4)....they changed it and I was able to get on a flight to MHT for no change in cost. I have had that policy benefit me a few times. So while they are getting more expensive they are still good value. With the budget airlines like Spirit, I believe they just cancel and you are on your own.

Go Bills!

 

[Sabres431]

That is one thing about Southwest, when they cancel a flight they give you full discretion on options, different airports whatever flight you want, no cost. I grew up in WNY but now live in NH...I had a flight booked from RSW to BOS because getting to NH (MHT) was outrageous ($500+ per person X 4)....they changed it and I was able to get on a flight to MHT for no change in cost. I have had that policy benefit me a few times. So while they are getting more expensive they are still good value. With the budget airlines like Spirit, I believe they just cancel and you are on your own.

Go Bills!

Yes, I've done the same thing with SW. Jetblue will allow you to switch to a "co-located" airport. When I asked what Albany's co-located airport was they told me there wasn't one. I was trying to switch to Buffalo and they wanted to charge me $500 more for their cancellation. I also noticed on JB's website that MCO also doesn't have a co-located option.

Go Bills!!

 

[jodls01]

Does Southwest open flights before date stated online? Flights are now opened thru Nov 1. We need Dec 19

 

[Karalee402]

Does Southwest open flights before date stated online? Flights are now opened thru Nov 1. We need Dec 19

It states that dates are subject to change, so I'm guessing it's possible, but I've never seen it when I've been waiting on drops.

 

[jodls01]

Karalee402 Thank you

 

[EACarlson]

Does Southwest open flights before date stated online? Flights are now opened thru Nov 1. We need Dec 19

The drop date may change but usually once it's within a few weeks it doesn't. Currently the next drop, going through the first week of January, 2026 is scheduled for March 20. If that date doesn't change my March 1, I'd say it's going to happen that day.

 

[DebbieB]

I had an early April flight to MCO drop a couple weeks ago. However, the return flight doubled. I do one ways to make it easier. I usually book when it opens and then watch it for credits. I have 2 of the credit cards, so I’m usually using points.

 

[Karalee402]

I had an early April flight to MCO drop a couple weeks ago. However, the return flight doubled. I do one ways to make it easier. I usually book when it opens and then watch it for credits. I have 2 of the credit cards, so I’m usually using points.

I do the same thing - I find it easier to make changes when I book the flights one way at a time.

 

[nephykupo]

Does Southwest open flights before date stated online? Flights are now opened thru Nov 1. We need Dec 19

In my experience with SWA, the prices are high when initially released but they go down after a few weeks. I stopped booking it immediately with SWA as soon as the schedule opens.

 

[EACarlson]

In my experience with SWA, the prices are high when initially released but they go down after a few weeks. I stopped booking it immediately with SWA as soon as the schedule opens.

Depends on time, route and date. Some flights open high and only get higher. Some drop a few months out then get more expensive as the date approaches. Some keep going down right up until 24 hours before.

 

[nephykupo]

Depends on time, route and date. Some flights open high and only get higher. Some drop a few months out then get more expensive as the date approaches. Some keep going down right up until 24 hours before.

Oh, I see. I guess one of the best options is to book right away and then just modify the reservation when price drops to get the difference refunded.

 

[EACarlson]

Oh, I see. I guess one of the best options is to book right away and then just modify the reservation when price drops to get the difference refunded.

Yes, but only if you either fly enough that you will be able to use the credits, purchase a high enough fare class that the refund is to form of payment or are using points.

 

[georgina]

Southwest was high for my March flights, so I used some American points. Started out at 9000 and 12,500 pts. Have cancelled and rebooked twice, switched to Tampa instead of MCO since I will be spending some time near there with family; my flights have now dropped to 7000 and 7,500 each way. Saved 4000 points today.

I have some SW credit I hope to use for my flights in December, looks like they moved the release date from the 20th to the 27th of this month.

 

[leebee]

I've been stalking SW prices as we are flying 5 of us to MCO in May. I'm booking all on points, and we chose to go from MHT (instead of PWM) for direct flights. I booked our flights in November when it was over 28000 points per person. I rebooked this week and it's down to below 12000 points per person. I used to book my travel as two one-way flights to make it easier to rebook, but noticed that SW now offers you the option to choose which direction you want to rebook, if you've booked RT travel. I am pretty happy about the "new" SW price... I saved 15555 points PER TICKET with the rebooking.
[I should note that it's a 2+ hour drive for us to get to PWM and a 4 hour drive to get to MHT, but my sister lives within an hour of both airports so we can stay with her for early departure or late arrival to avoid the cost of a hotel. Flying from our "home" airport, BGR- literally 15 mins from our house- is usually pretty cost-prohibitive, even when using Delta or AA points).