Help with Southwest pricing please!

[Disneycrazymom]

I have been looking at flights this week for June. All week they were $79 and now today (Saturday) they are $82. Not a huge increase but I like $79 better. So my question is does Southwest usually bump prices up on the weekend and then lower them again on Monday? OR is this the start of a price increase and I should book asap? I know no one has a crystal ball but am hopeful someone else has been watching the price fluctuations for longer than me. Thanks!

 

[Pembo]

I bought our tickets at $59, they were at the price during the week and the weekend. The price went up to $85 on a Monday.

 

[goofy4tink]

Book when you see a fare that works for you. Most airlines, SW included, have 'x' number of seats at a certain fare. Now..you may see a fare listed at $79, but when you try to plug in your group of 8 people, it won't allow you to. Then, you try with only 4 people, and bingo..it works. Why? Because they didn't have seats for 8 but could accomodate 4 at that price.
It's frustrating to try and get the lowest fare possible. But, it's all a gamble. Figure out what you can live with, when you see that fare, book it. Then, don't go checking to see if it goes down. Sure, SW can give you a credit, but you will drive yourself nuts.

 

[dacky041208]

SW prices change constantly. I booked out flight down already at 67 dollars, but they have gone up to 85, and back to 67, and a bunch of stops inbetween. The PP are right, once you find a fare that you like, book it.

In general though, I've found if you purchase tickets from SW on the weekend, it will be more expensive than if you buy mid week. It doesn't mean that on Monday your flights will drop back to $79 though.

 

[Bobo912]

The specials come out on Tuesday and typically say book by Thursday. So you're more likely to get a lower price during the week. But depending on destination, day of the week and sometimes time of day, the price may not go down.

 

[Huff]

Southwest posts new prices and specials every Tuesday. For a particular flight prices are then dictated by seat availability. There are only so many seats sold at the lowest price. Cancellations may open up cheaper seats during the week but look to Tuesdays for any new offers.

Also watch Southwests DING daily for bargains.

 

[staceyj2]

I have been looking at flights this week for June. All week they were $79 and now today (Saturday) they are $82. Not a huge increase but I like $79 better. So my question is does Southwest usually bump prices up on the weekend and then lower them again on Monday? OR is this the start of a price increase and I should book asap? I know no one has a crystal ball but am hopeful someone else has been watching the price fluctuations for longer than me. Thanks!

I had this happen this week as well. We were going to stay an extra day at WDW in May and had planned on switching our tickets. All week the the flights were $72. I was waiting on DH to get the ok from his boss to stay the extra day, but on Friday the flights (all of them) jumped to $125. So no extra day for us. Will keep watching to see if they come back down, but I am not too hopeful.

 

[pickles]

I had this happen this week as well. We were going to stay an extra day at WDW in May and had planned on switching our tickets. All week the the flights were $72. I was waiting on DH to get the ok from his boss to stay the extra day, but on Friday the flights (all of them) jumped to $125. So no extra day for us. Will keep watching to see if they come back down, but I am not too hopeful.

they are down to $89 right now out of KC

I am watching and hoping they go back to $70 something now that i have the money to buy. I also keep hoping the flight time I want goes down..it keeps stay at $120=$130 yuk

 

[Jestocost]

Fares are mostly about when you are flying and very little about when you are buying. Sure, you could buy the day before a fare sale announcement; but on SWA you'd be able to rebook without a fee and get the difference in credits for future flights if that happens.

A fare change of $3 shouldn't be an issue. If the price is right--ie you can afford it and it's reasonable for your airport--then buy it. Waiting for the price to come back down $3 is just as (if not more) likely to get you a fare increase of a whole lot more.