Fly from Providence? Best airline?

[Mainebound]

Hi all,

For our trip next March we are thinking of driving down to Providence and flying from there. Are there direct flights? I can't find any on expedia or travelocity. Also, how much do you usually pay? Flying out of Bangor is always at least $300 per ticket, so we're hoping to save money. Any recommendations on when to book? Any info would be helpful.

--Mainebound

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

IMHO, Southwest air is the best. They do not have their fares listed anywhere but on their web site. www.southwest.com
We had fares of about 150.00 each, non stop to Orlando.
I usually purchase them when the dates become available.
Right now, they are only taking reservations until the middle of December.

They also fly out of Manchester New Hampshire and Hartford CT with similar rates.

 

[Jenn]

We always fly Southwest Airlines out of Providence, non-stop to Orlando. You won't find their fares on Expedia or any other travel site, you have to go directly to www.southwest.com. They only open their dates out about 6 months in advance - right now they are booking thru mid-Dec. They usually have great fares - we almost always get $200 or under, PP, non-stop. We have gotten as low as $112 PP!

They also fly out of Manchester, NH, which might be closer for you.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Jenn
We always fly Southwest Airlines out of Providence, non-stop to Orlando. You won't find their fares on Expedia or any other travel site, you have to go directly to www.southwest.com. They only open their dates out about 6 months in advance - right now they are booking thru mid-Dec. They usually have great fares - we almost always get $200 or under, PP, non-stop. We have gotten as low as $112 PP!

They also fly out of Manchester, NH, which might be closer for you.

Jenn, GMTA!!!!!

 

[momoftwins]

Great non-stop airline. Providence (TF Green Airport) is very easy to get in and out of. Last year we got their Friends Fly Free promotion for the week after Easter Sunday for $445 for 4 of us.

We are going next April and can't wait for Southwest to get out to those dates.

 

[Maxwell]

Nobody left except Southwest direct. Delta Express last flight is July 31st.

 

[Mainebound]

Originally posted by Maxwell
Nobody left except Southwest direct. Delta Express last flight is July 31st.

I was wondering why no one mentioned Delta!

Thanks everyone -- I guess it will have to be southwest!


Mainebound

 

[Arielle22]

Yesterday I noticed that when I booked Southwest in May, for the end of August, I booked the wrong date. I booked over the phone instead of over the net as I usually do. This morning I called Southwest fully expecting to have to pay to change all four tickets. Instead I switched days (from a Sat night to a Friday night) and received $20 credit back!

I cannot say enough for Southwest. I have flown out of Logan airport on various airlines and it was always a hassle. (Especially with all the construction). Providence is easy to get into and from what I understand Southwest now has curbside check-in so I am all set.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Arielle22
Yesterday I noticed that when I booked Southwest in May, for the end of August, I booked the wrong date. I booked over the phone instead of over the net as I usually do. This morning I called Southwest fully expecting to have to pay to change all four tickets. Instead I switched days (from a Sat night to a Friday night) and received $20 credit back!

I cannot say enough for Southwest. I have flown out of Logan airport on various airlines and it was always a hassle. (Especially with all the construction). Providence is easy to get into and from what I understand Southwest now has curbside check-in so I am all set.

Gotta love SWA's change policy, especially when you save money!!!!

They have had curbside checkin for a very long time, IMHO the only way to do it, saves time, it's easy and you are not a pack mule schlepping bags. It is well worth the tip (about 2.00 per bag) to the skycap.

 

[Mainebound]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Gotta love SWA's change policy, especially when you save money!!!!

They have had curbside checkin for a very long time, IMHO the only way to do it, saves time, it's easy and you are not a pack mule schlepping bags. It is well worth the tip (about 2.00 per bag) to the skycap.

Is there an official policy at SWA (like at WDW resorts) that if the rates go down you can change your ticket? Wow, that would be something.

I agree about curb side chek in. I can never figure out why anyone would stand in those counter lines when they can avoid it for like $15!

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi , I am from Maine too and fly out of Manchester NH w/ Southwest and Delta - I have also flown Delta out of Boston always with pretty good rates ( Dec 2001 Delta MHT to MCO w/ connections for $95 per ticket , Dec 2002 Delta Bos-Mco Non stop for $154 per ticket and June 2003 SW MHT - MCO non stop for $171 per ticket ) I would shop both boston and manchester before driving to RI or CT .. Good Luck.. Michelle

 

[Maxwell]

The problemn with BOS right now is that there are no direct flights that leave earlier than 11:25 AM. SONG cancelled their early flight and American leaves later in the afternoon. SW from PVD leaves direct at 8:25 AM.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Originally posted by Mainebound
Is there an official policy at SWA (like at WDW resorts) that if the rates go down you can change your ticket? Wow, that would be something.

I have heard of some airlines doing this. Anyone ever done this? That would be great. I am trying to find air right now for my October trip The lowest SW fare I can find is $242. There are 6 of us and we are hoping to find it cheaper. But if they have some kind of policy like that I will go ahead and book the tickets.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Mainebound
Is there an official policy at SWA (like at WDW resorts) that if the rates go down you can change your ticket? Wow, that would be something.

I agree about curb side chek in. I can never figure out why anyone would stand in those counter lines when they can avoid it for like $15!

Yes, you can change your ticket if the rates go down, no change fee either. They will keep it "on account" for you and have to use the credit within one year of when you made the reservation.

They even let you make any changes at no charge, the only thing there is if you change and the airfare is higher, you pay the difference in the airfare. Pretty relaxed if you ask me.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lexxiefern
I have heard of some airlines doing this. Anyone ever done this? That would be great. I am trying to find air right now for my October trip The lowest SW fare I can find is $242. There are 6 of us and we are hoping to find it cheaper. But if they have some kind of policy like that I will go ahead and book the tickets.

I do it often. When SWA had a discount code, the best fare for me was out of PVD (also easy because DD lived in RI). Then another discount code came out and I checked Hartford, which is much closer for me and DD has moved in with us (long story and of no import), so, I changed my flights from PVD to BDL and was prepared to pay the 80.00 more, I had everything all set, punched purchase now with cancelled reservations funds and it said, "fare no longer valid". So, I put all the information back in and low and behold it was 10.50 less than the original flights.
I was thrilled!!!! Not only did I not have to pay the additional 80.00, I saved 10.50. Guess they dropped the rates while I was busy inputting all the info. Worked for me. Gotta love SWA!!!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Yes, you can change your ticket if the rates go down, no change fee either. They will keep it "on account" for you and have to use the credit within one year of when you made the reservation.

They even let you make any changes at no charge, the only thing there is if you change and the airfare is higher, you pay the difference in the airfare. Pretty relaxed if you ask me.

Wow! That is great! I guess I will go book those tickets - thank you!!