How to get best airfare for Feb vacation

[JenLanDisney]

We are traveling the week of Presidents' Day which is school vacation week for us.

Does anyone have topic on how to get the best airfare? I usually fly Southwest and plan to be online the day they release the schedule.

What time do they normally release the schedule?

Thanks!

 

[Delphinus317]

Next release date is set for July 21st. I've read that they release dates around 6am. We are waiting too for January dates.

 

[PrincesCJM]

Have you considered looking at other airlines? It wouldn't hurt to get an idea of what prices are currently out there and you might even find a price you are happy with. I'm flying out of PWM (Portland, ME) for April vacation 2015 and have already bought my tickets. I didn't want to wait for Southwest or Jetblue to release fights. I'm a teacher and have to go during vacation weeks

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I am waiting for SW to release their dates for Feb vacation also. I can't believe how expensive that week is already from the other airlines. I figure if SW isn't a lot cheaper, it should at least offer a better choice in flight times. I'm looking for a nonstop flight as we hates layovers.

 

[seashoreCM]

No amount of instructions or "how-to" will get you the best fare; considerable luck is needed.

But, for school vacation times like winter break and spring break, and most popular dates and times (like going home late on Sunday), your best chances are at IPO.

For other times I generally suggest waiting for fares to go on sale rather than buying at their everyday low price.

 

[firstwdw]

What months are being released for booking for Southwest for the July release date?

 

[JenLanDisney]

Have you considered looking at other airlines? It wouldn't hurt to get an idea of what prices are currently out there and you might even find a price you are happy with. I'm flying out of PWM (Portland, ME) for April vacation 2015 and have already bought my tickets. I didn't want to wait for Southwest or Jetblue to release fights. I'm a teacher and have to go during vacation weeks

Do you mind sharing what airline you are using? Thanks

 

[Mynamewastaken]

MA teacher here too- Going Presidents week as well. I am holding out on fares too but will most likely book with US Airways. I have their credit card and with having that I am able to get companion tickets (2) of them for 99.00 each with the purchase of 1 full price ticket. This is the last year they are doing this. I wanted to fly out the night of the 13th but that date is blacked out so we are leaving the 14th. Best I can see right now is tickets with a layover are 720.-- each so I need 2 full price for me and DH and then the kids will fly using the 99.00 companion tickets for a total of 1,700 round trip for four BUT there is also a 25.00 baggage fee. Still will probably be the cheapest way to go....

 

[JenLanDisney]

Thanks for the replies! This is a real price shocker for me. We can usually fly for about $250 ea RT.

 

[Kay2397]

I'm a school counselor from NY and we are also waiting on flight schedules for Pres week. I hope we can score a deal because all the prices that are out right now are scary!

 

[deb010305]

We're from MA and have been driving for April trips because the airfare is outrageous !

 

[monorailsilver]

Book as soon as you can!

I have my flights for next April. I wanted to fly into ft. Myers/southwest regional but it was over $100 more per ticket and there are 5 of us so that wasn't happening!

So instead we are flying into Tampa and will take the 2 hour drive (we drove in 2013 and did the AT this past April so 2 hours is nothing!).

Our vacation starts on Good Friday. RT from Hartford it was $259! I could if had it cheaper if I chose to come back on a Saturday since those flights were $104 and we paid $129/$123 for Tuesday. So 12 days...ahh....

And I just checked, that same flight is $600 rt. Yikes!

I really wanted to fly jet blue but I was impatient and couldn't wait!

 

[momtwoboys]

we are from MA also and going in April 2015. Spring vacation for us every year. Waiting for Jetblue to extend their schedule.... last year we booked in July on the day they extended and we got 4 of us 1,300 for our Week. I always book on the morning of the release and score a decent price. We fly out of BDL or ORH. Its July now so I am impatiently waiting!!!!!!!

 

[monorailsilver]

we are from MA also and going in April 2015. Spring vacation for us every year. Waiting for Jetblue to extend their schedule.... last year we booked in July on the day they extended and we got 4 of us 1,300 for our Week. I always book on the morning of the release and score a decent price. We fly out of BDL or ORH. Its July now so I am impatiently waiting!!!!!!!

I wanted to fly JB but I was too impatient to wait plus delta gives my dh the FF miles so someday we can fly with out kids to Hawaii again.

I don't think I would get better then I did for April vacation week which for us starts on Good Friday so I just need to be content with the price.

 

[momtwoboys]

I am impatient waiting but jetblue and southwest are the only carriers that fly nonstop from bdl . Jetblue from orh or we could do pvd... Just have to sit tight

 

[PrincesCJM]

Do you mind sharing what airline you are using? Thanks

Sorry for the delay - I just saw this. We bought flights on United, a few days after they were released. I am blessed with having the Friday before vacation off. We are actually flying out on Thursday - I'm going to take a personal day at school. Even so, in buying 4 tickets, it cost $640pp. We could have booked cheaper flights but they were awful times. Traveling with an almost 3 year old, I did not want to depart MCO at 6am (a Magical Express pick up time of 3am does not sound like fun to me).

Edit to add: The last time I went during April vacation was in 2011, we paid $280pp for flights on Delta. We flew out late Wednesday and back on Thursday or Friday (I don't recall which). Times have definitely changed

 

[momtwoboys]

We flew out last april the day before easter and came home the weekend following... Flew nonstop for 4 of us 1,300... Always pays to book the day they are released!

 

[monorailsilver]

I am impatient waiting but jetblue and southwest are the only carriers that fly nonstop from bdl . Jetblue from orh or we could do pvd... Just have to sit tight

Our final destination is ft. Myers and I think jet blue flys there direct but I am pretty sure it's a bit more $$ then going to Tampa/Orlando.

If I was going to Disney, my schedule would be flexible-I book more days then I need and cancel if I really have to and then book in that time frame. And I would book JB.

But sadly this is April vacation and it isn't flexible. As it is we are taking the kids out if school 2 days for the cheaper flight but if there is no snow or hurricane then they won't have school on those days anyways.

Good luck and I hope you get a gook, aka cheap flight!

 

[momtwoboys]

Yes good luck to all waiting! Our week is also school vacation