Getting nervous-wait for SW or book now??

[ChristyJ]

We're headed from Albany, NY to MCO 11/30-12/10 and I've been watching airfares creep up & up. Southwest is typically the best bet from Albany (and has nonstop!! ), but the schedule likely won't be out until late July or so. So what do you think...should I hold tight and wait for SW or book a fare for about $305 each (4 of us) with good times now?

Thanks!!

 

[ChristyJ]

Bumping with hopes that someone has some suggestions...

 

[FOV]

Do you know how much flights typically cost from Albany to MCO? I live near Boston and I can usually get flights around $130/r-t for non-stop. My target price is $160. If I see it hit $160 or less I automatically purchase.

If you aren't flying until December you have time to wait. I don't know the Albany market but it seems like you should be able to do better than $300. Biggest thing is to know your market. Good luck!

 

[ChristyJ]

Thanks-that's a good idea! I know that SW sometimes puts out some amazing Dings ($49 each way), but I don't think I could hold out for those...

Thanks for easing my mind...I'll likely just keep an eye on things and hold out...

 

[FOV]

There is a website called farereport.com that gives you historical price information on popular city pairs. I checked the Albany/MCO route and it said the average historical fare was $230/r-t. Interstingly enough SW has 74% of the market share!

I hope this provides a useful benchmark for you!

 

[ChristyJ]

There is a website called farereport.com that gives you historical price information on popular city pairs. I checked the Albany/MCO route and it said the average historical fare was $230/r-t. Interstingly enough SW has 74% of the market share!

I hope this provides a useful benchmark for you!

Thanks-I didn't know about this website!

 

[tmt martins]

$225 is my break point.SW will most of the time beat that when they open flights .

It just depends on when I can get to them for the cheapest Internet fare.

You still can't beat the amount of Non-stops and times for SW out of BWI so I just wait book one-ways and hope for a Ding so I can get some credit.



Thats a great web-sight Mine is $105 one-way so my break point is right on track.

Also said that it's 1971 per day on that route BWI - MCO thats a lot of people.

 

[drewc]

I was in the same boat for our August trip for the free dining. I was surprised by how high the prices were (we flew for $49 each way last october), and I was't willing to wait until July for the August ding fares to come out. I ended up booking flights on Airtran out of Whiteplains for $69 each way. It means driving an extra two hours or so south, but it will work out for us as we have family right near the airport there.

the big downside to the whiteplains airport seems to be the outrageous parking ($20 per day!). We'll get a shuttle there, but that is worth keeping in mind if you are driving to the airport. My sister-in-law says you have to pay to park at the mall in We$tche$ter, so I guess this must be par for the course.

One other option near Albany is Stewart airport out of Newburg, which has Allegiant flying into Sanford airport in Orlando. They have a $79 each way summer sale going on. Again, the downside is you would need to rent a car in Orlando, as Magical Express doesn't service Sanford. That would add to the travel cost, unless you had already planned on renting.

Good luck!

 

[ChristyJ]

drewc-Thanks for the input! I looked into Newburg, but since we're going in Dec., I'm hesitant to book from an airport that's further away. It looks like Delta is a little less today...my friend is going in Oct. and currently only her flight down is open on SW-she booked the one-way, but it came out to around $500 for the 1-way (for 4 tickets). So if I were to go with a Delta flight at $260 for RT, the price is similar. Of course it's NOT nonstop...I keep going back and forth...

 

[Tinkbellfan]

In the same boat for my October trip. SW only opened my flight day into MCO, so I had to make the call to book Delta now or booking SW one-way and wait until July for the return trip home. I choose SW mainly for the great non-stop flights and schedule. SW will also be less expensive than Delta for me too, do that's a bonus.

I would go for the close to home, non-stop flights. July will be here soon!