Is anyone happy with SW from Columbus OH?

[bobbiwoz]

I stopped looking for good fares from Columbus, and wind up traveling to MCO from Dayton (Air Tran) or Covington (Delta ) for direct flights. Yet, so many people really like SW. Are there ever good fares from Columbus? We usually see good deals on our usual carriers before the dates even become available from SW. When I do get ding notices very often there's nothing to MCO.

So, should I give up, or should I be a better watcher of SW from Columbus?

Thank you. DH is the "early booking" proponent, but I would be willing to give SW a chance.

Bobbi

 

[DisTwix]

I stopped looking for good fares from Columbus, and wind up traveling to MCO from Dayton (Air Tran) or Covington (Delta ) for direct flights. Yet, so many people really like SW. Are there ever good fares from Columbus? We usually see good deals on our usual carriers before the dates even become available from SW. When I do get ding notices very often there's nothing to MCO.

So, should I give up, or should I be a better watcher of SW from Columbus?

Thank you. DH is the "early booking" proponent, but I would be willing to give SW a chance.

Bobbi

Hi there! I am a huge fan of Southwest out of Columbus to MCO. I would say the average cost is $99 a leg, with the cheapest I've paid being $59 and the most expensive was $129. I have had no problem finding nonstop flights with good times for my various trips to The World.

Generally, what I do is watch the fare for a while, several months out. When I see it dip, I'll go ahead and jump on it. Then, because I know it will dip again, and likely catch a DING fare, I don't worry about it. I'll switch out the flights/apply the savings, have the SW travel funds waiting out there for my next trip. Basically what has happened is I paid $240 round trip for a flight a couple years ago, and got some great DINGs, and since then I've been able to book using SW travel funds, get more DINGS, etc, until I'm really never paying more than $150 RT.

It takes a little babysitting, but it's worth it.

I've had friends do Aitran out of Dayton tho, and they have been really happy with it. The only downside is while they might get a cheaper fare, all the fees make it more expensive - unless you can manage to not check a bag, which is a tough one for me!

 

[dburg30]

Have flown SW from CMH a 'lot' of times in the last 2 1/2 years or so. Considering I hadnt gone on a flying trip since 1986, flying 6 or 7 'trips' in the last couple of years I consider a 'lot' . One time I did pay $99 to MCO non stop but I've snagged a couple of $69. I also flew to San Jose and got those for $99. I'm actually in NC right now after getting $30 tix from CMH to RDU. (granted 30 = 50 after fees and taxes), but still..

I've been VERY happy with SW, I dont know if I would've been such a fan when you camped out for a spot in boarding. One time I was delayed slightly out of MCO, but it was weather related. That was the only time I was really 'delayed' more then 30 min past the flight time. Almost all of my flights have been right on, or early. Add 2 checked bags for free per person and I really like them. Air tran is a possiblily as you said from CMH, but I really dont want a layover going to MCO, and AT has a tendency of changing non stops to layovers in ATL..

 

[katieandemismom]

Headed out on the 25th from C-bus. We got our tickets the day the schedule posted for $69 a leg. This will be our second trip out of there (the others have been from Pittsburgh), and we much prefer C-bus.

 

[mrscoobs]

Just a note since you mentioned airtran that they also fly out of columbus now too since november last year and have a direct to orlando. We are flying nonstop in december for $200 a person when I figure in the bag fees. Southwest does have more nonstop options, but they were going to be more expensive even when figuring bag fees in so Airtran we went.

 

[maraki527]

We usually flo SW out of Columbus, but this time we are flying Airtran. The price was ridiculous and I am very surprised they were that high. Oh well... at least I am going to the World.

 

[maraki527]

You might want to look for the $25 voucher from airtran and price it against SW we are flying a lot cheeper with them and have direct flights on Thanksgiving day