I need a SWA expert please :)

[traci]

When September dates are released do I quickly buy the times I want? If a ding comes out or a lower fare can I still use those flight times and just switch to lower fare (then have a credit)?

~OR~

Is it best to sit tight, wait for the rates to drop/ding/whatever and then book.

Many thanks

 

[crazywig]

i'm waiting for Sept. as well. i think it depends on how flexible you are.

i need 8 tickets so i will book the flights i want the first day (providing the rate is not horrendous, if they release at $69 or so i will buy).

if a ding comes out you'll need to cancel your existing ressie, and rebook the ding using the SW ticketless travel funds. this is a lot easier than it sounds.

so, it is always best to book SW flights as one ways. you end up with lots of confirmation numbers, but it's worth it. i've had dings come out and only one leg of my trip is available, so i rebook just that one way . if i had a round trip reservation i wouldn't be able to do that.

sept rates to orlando are generally very cheap.

 

[ZekeKelso]

Do you have another option? If SW is your only choice, go ahead and book. But the days of SW always coming out with a cheap rate seem to be gone. If had a couple trips go by where SW's rates were sky-high when first released, and *never* saw a sale, much less a DING.

If the rates are high when they come out, go ahead and see what your other options are...

 

[traci]

Thanks for the responses. SWA has such a variety of non-stop flight times, but AA also has a non-stop.

I have OCD and waiting like this, not knowing what it will cost, drives me koo-koo

 

[DonnaL]

Traci,

One thing you can do is book the flights you want when they come out....keep in mind the prices may or may not be that good......but, book one ways.... NOT round trips. That way, if a DING is released for only one way of your trip you have the flexibility to make some changes if you want. With a round trip.....unless DING is released for both ways you really can't take full advantage. Also, SW will give you the credit (they call it ticketless travel fund) for the difference to be used within one year from the date of the original booking. So, if you book something on 4/18/07 for Sept. 2007 flights and then in July, 2007 you get a DING for either one way or both ways of your trip, you will have a credit you need to use before 4/18/08. Sometimes SW will give you a six month extension, but, the policy is one year.

 

[GoingtoSeeRella]

you will have a credit you need to use before 4/18/08. Sometimes SW will give you a six month extension, but, the policy is one year.

with regard to the credit, do you have to fly by 4/18/08 or can you just book a trip by 4/18/08?

 

[DonnaL]

You would need to fly by 4/18/08.....

 

[keliblue]

When do you think Sept date will be released ??

 

[undertheseas]

I have a question for you SW experts please! Are DING rates ever opened up to the public? I am looking for a Sept rate but I'm mostly on my computer at work and I don't want to install it on that computer Does it email you too? I could install it at home but I wouldn't be around to check it most of the time. TIA!

 

[DonnaL]

In so far as loading Ding at home.......many times Ding fares are available for hours.......for instance they may pop up at noon and be available until midnight that night, so, as long as your computer is on it takes just a second to check the SW icon and see if the Ding envelope is showing. Granted, sometimes Dings are only good for a few hour timespan and also, the quicker you get to them the more likely you are to get the flights you want, but, many times they're only listed for specific flights and times anyway.
Also, as far as the Sept. fares.......just a guess on my part, but, I'm thinking early May. Again, just a guess on my part........

 

[undertheseas]

Thanks DonnaL, I really appreciate it!