Help me! Airtran vs SWA vs Delta standby!

[Mom2Ben02]

We are flying from Chicago to Orlando Jan 17 - 24. We have not yet booked flight. I have been waiting to see if the Airtran coupons come out for our time frame. If not, I would be flying on SWA. I can't seem to find any coupons for them...

I do have a backup, in case of emergency - my Dad works for Delta, and I can fly standby for $110 each. I don't WANT to fly standby, but will if I have to. Do you think I am waiting for nothing?

 

[LeslieG]

I would be really hesitant to rely on standby. Airlines have cut lots of flights, and a lot of flights nowadays are flying full. I might try it if it was just me alone, but not with a family in tow. And $110 doesn't even sound very cheap. I would watch airfare with Kayak, Travelocity, etc. where they send you an email when the price drops and grab it when it is down. I don't believe these alerts will include SW though.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

The $110 is round trip - for us, that is cheap. But - I really don't want to do it - for the reason you gave. KIDS. LOL

I will sign up for alerts. I love Southwest, but I need to save as much as I can!!

 

[LeslieG]

Maybe it's just my airport, Cleveland, but SW is always high to MCO. I have much better luck with Airtran.

 

[Brian Noble]

I would absolutely not depend on standby with minors. That's just not an option.

As for when to buy: my advice is to have a price in mind that you think is fair, and as soon as you can get tickets on flights at acceptable times at or below that price, buy them. Don't try to time your purchase to be absolutely rock-bottom, because you'll never know for sure if this is the best price you'll ever get. Yes, the price might go down a little. But, it might also go up a lot.

Right now, SW has nonstop round trips for your dates for $212. I would buy them---that's a very fair price for a winter escape from Chicago to Florida. AirTran's fares are a few dollars cheaper, but if you are checking luggate, the nuisance fees on AT are $21 each way ($6 for seat selection, $15 for a bag), vs. SW's $10 (early bird checkin). Plus, AT is more likely to change your flight schedule.