Help with DINGS

[debbiechels]

I wonder if someone would be kind enough to give me a little advice. This is my first time looking at Southwest - I have always flown Delta but after reading these boards for months and hearing about the great Dings I am tempted to change to SW. We will be flying out of Raleigh-Durham NC to Orlando and just was wondering what a reasonable Ding might be!!?? Thank you for your patience with a newbie!!! Only 38 more days until I am at the Yacht Club!!!!

 

[poohstx]

Yesterday there was one for $65 one way.

 

[debbiechels]

Yesterday there was one for $65 one way.

I saw that - yesterday was the first day I signed up - it was good I think until the end of July - I am going on September 30th - how often do they come out and is it pretty regular or is it just a chance they will have one? Sorry to be so bothersome?

 

[blessedby3]

We flew out of Raleigh last November with a great ding fare of $29 each way. I have not seen dings like that in a while. My dings come 2-3 times per day. When I am ready to book I stay by the computer like crazy. Good luck with the ding. I am looking to book a flight in December and am hoping for a wonderful ding again- I wont hold my breath though.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I always drive but may have an opportunity to have another trip in Dec...so.....what is a DING?

Thanks

 

[samano]

I wonder if someone would be kind enough to give me a little advice. This is my first time looking at Southwest - I have always flown Delta but after reading these boards for months and hearing about the great Dings I am tempted to change to SW. We will be flying out of Raleigh-Durham NC to Orlando and just was wondering what a reasonable Ding might be!!?? Thank you for your patience with a newbie!!! Only 38 more days until I am at the Yacht Club!!!!

I am watching for a ding out of RDU also, so I have been watching them like a hawk! A ding came out a few days ago for travel from 8/1 to 9/30 for $39 - $65 one way. The dings are pretty regular, usually 1x per day, sometimes 2. The dings specifically from RDU to MCO are pretty random....there have been 4 in the last 2 weeks. The lowest was $39, highest $71.

I am booked out of RDU now for our trip next month at $89, but I am on the watch so I can change to the lower airfare (no penalties!) when a great ding comes out. Don't worry about asking questions.....ask away! Welcome to the DIS.

ETA- there is a great thread called History of Ding Fares to Orlando here, the DISers keep it updated everyday with all the dings that come out. Check it out!

Luvchefmic, a Ding is a program you download from the Southwest website, and you will get 'dinged' when there is a special. There is a brief booking window once the ding comes out, but the savings are great!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Don't worry about asking questions.....ask away! Welcome to the DIS.

ETA- there is a great thread called History of Ding Fares to Orlando here, the DISers keep it updated everyday with all the dings that come out. Check it out!

Luvchefmic, a Ding is a program you download from the Southwest website, and you will get 'dinged' when there is a special. There is a brief booking window once the ding comes out, but the savings are great!

Thanks for the welcome oh believe me I am NEVER afraid to ask questions and have been able to help by answering other peoples' ?s already too...see here I go, I'm pretty sure Southwest flied out of my local airport & I will go to their website BUT I am in no position $$$$ to buy plane fare now, I am probably going to go in Dec so when do you suggest I start with them sending emails for the best fares? Then, will they keep Dinging you after you book and would you be able to change flights for savings w/o penalties? Soooo much to learn

 

[qst4it]

We live in Eastern NC and will fly out of RDU also. I have a 3 and 2 year old and we don't know what is best to do. 12 hour drive, 2 hout flight? It seems like an easy question to me but DH is not a fan of flying. He rather drag to toddlers in a crowded car?! I am hoping I can justify with airfare being cheaper. Do you bring their carseats on board? I have flown on my own but never with kids so maybe I am the crazy one. Any help would be great!

 

[KTSMOM]

You have to check the size of your car seat to make sure it will fit in the airplane seat. You don't have to have a car seat for them on an airplane, but I think it is recommended. That being said, I flew with my daughter right before she turned 3 and we didn't bring her car seat and we were fine during the flight. If you decided to rent a car or use a transportation service to DW, you can rent carseats from them.
I am from Raleigh and would prefer to fly myself, and have flown every time i've been, but if I don't find a cheap SW flight before my trip in Aug we are driving.