I HATE waiting for Southwest to open up my travel dates!

[NancyIL]

While the major airlines' fares keep going up for my October trip, I just called Southwest to see when they would open up flights for that time period. The woman I spoke with said that last year they opened up Sept-late October flights on May 4th! I don't think I can stand to wait 2 more months!

 

[northwds]

I am going in October also and flying out of Manchester, NH. I live near Bangor, ME and SWA out of Manchester seems to be the closest non-stop flight available. ( Unless I choose another airline and fly out of Boston......nightmare.) We are traveling with a group of 1st time flyers, a mom and 3 kids w/14 months old......non-stop seems best.

I usually get one of their internet special fares, but I notice that the prices do go up and down on those. When is the best time to get the lowest price? When they first open up the travel dates or later on? Any help on SWA ticket timing buying would be appreciated.

 

[llyolf]

buy the tickets when they are the cheapest...

most people buy them to make sure they get them... then if they go down, they call and rebook and get credit for the difference... only problem with that is, most of the time you'll only get credit towards another flight. Some people I've heard actually get their credit put back on your card...

Later,
Paul

 

[ptrbryant]

I hear you! We're going in October, too, and I have totally different plans if we drive or if we fly, so this long wait is REALLY bothering me! Does anyone know the rationale behind SWA's decision to not allow booking earlier?

Karla B.

 

[Hockeychic]

Hear, Hear!!!

I agree with you, I also have a different plan for driving or flying and I love to have every detail worked out but this is killing me waiting for the discount airlines to post rates. I am flying out late Oct and back early Nov.....uuuggghhhhh.....

 

[vossjemi]

I'm waiting for sept to open up. We have other decisions that are being held up by airfare too! We have 3 airports we could use SWA from all within a 2-3 hour drive if we get a decent rate from one of them. If none of them offer a good rate, we may use TMA which goes to Sanford (which also doesn't have their sept schedule up yet, but their rates right now for other flights are $79one way so doable)....so, we're not sure where we're going to get a rental car from until we know about our air! Ugggh! I like things done too.

 

[dznyntnh]

While I don't spend a lot of time defending SWA's practices (reserved seats, please!!! ), I don't mind their only booking 6 or less months in advance.

While it can be a pain to wait, at least you know that they are not going to be changing your flight on you. I've booked farther in advance on USAir and UAL and found out two days before the trip when I call to confirm that the flight times have changed.

As long as you have an idea of when the days will be released, you just get in there a check 2 or 3 times a day.

 

[magsmom]

While the major airlines' fares keep going up for my October trip, I just called Southwest to see when they would open up flights for that time period. The woman I spoke with said that last year they opened up Sept-late October flights on May 4th! I don't think I can stand to wait 2 more months!

I hate to tell you this, but I remember last year that the October window for SWA opened in the July timeframe. It was definitely not May. It would be great if the window opened up earlier, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[klmall]

So how far in the calendar will the next round of flights cover?

I hear your pain too since I have our flight out to Spokane booked for late July but not our return yet. And I'm booking for a Boy Scout travel group and the parents are a bit anxious (but willing to wait for the savings SW is providing!).

 

[littlestix]

Wait until JULY for October schedule??? I don't know if I can handle the stress!! I'm 1 of those of people who wants everything taken care of right now......Oh the waiting

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

I don't mind waiting for the schedules to open up but I resent the fact that SWA will not tell me WHEN it schedule will come out. We have 8 people going from the east coast to the west coast and want to make sure we all book at the same time and get on the same flight. If we knew when, it would be so much easier to plan.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Thats one thing of southwest that annoys me. They make you wait to darn long. Its funny, my friends were waiting to book flights on SWA to come visit me. Just released them several weeks ago. Turns out, after all that waiting we found a better deal on Delta for them. Which I much prefer since I am flying back with them and want to fly delta since I have status on them.

Matt