It's now cheaper to fly then drive!

[pixistix]

We were originally planning to save money by driving to WDW in June, but we just got $99 airfare each way and DH said it's cheaper to fly!
We had figured gas down and back with our SUV would cost about $400; room on return trip $100; portable DVD player for kids $150; food for 2 adults and 2 growing teens during drive $100/day (3 days-$300).
Our flights only total $896. And we get a whole extra day in the parks!!!

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Good for you!! We got some great rates on our trip. At work earlier this week DH was talking with a coworker who's also going, they had to leave yesterday for the long drive. He thought we must've shelled out some big cash to fly. When DH told him our family tickets were $468 total he was jealous. LOL Have fun planning your trip!

 

[MEK]

It can definately be cheaper to fly than drive. I have never payed over $179 RT from PHL or BWI to MCO. $179 was around Thanksgiving, so that explains that price. My usual RT price is $125 - 160. It is possible and can be done with patience and diligence.

 

[DonnaL]

We haven't paid more than $117 rd trp on SW from PHL on our last four trips....our upcoming trip in May is right around $100 rd trp actually maybe a little less because the trip down is $49 and for the return I got a Ding for $34, so with taxes, etc. I believe it's less than $100. So, yep.....if you watch the flights and check regularly it is cheaper to fly. For our January trip there were six of us and the fares were $110 rd trp = $660 and I had about $480 in ticketless travel credits from previous trips the year before so total cost out of pocket for all of us to fly was less than $200!!!! Plus, that January trip gave DH and I enough Rapid Rewards (SW frequent flyer program) credits each for a free round trip on SW (but, we won't waste those free tickets on our PHL/MCO flights .......we're flying to the West Coast in the fall for a 10 day trip .......just the two of us!!!) So, yeah......I would say if you do your research it DEFINITELY can be cheaper to fly.

 

[TDC Nala]

my SW flights keep going down in $10 increments and I have $70 in credit for another flight now.

 

[DaisyD]

It has always been cheaper to fly then drive for us anyway. We always take two overnight stops down and two back. That is four nice hotels, food for 5 days, and gas for the car. It is much cheaper to fly but we really enjoy driving more.

 

[CarolA]

(And we wonder why the airlines provide no service LOL!)

Glad you all found good flight deals!

 

[DaisyD]

(And we wonder why the airlines provide no service LOL!)

Glad you all found good flight deals!

You know it! I'd rather pay a lot more and get good service then the cattle car prices we see now.

 

[DonnaL]

At the risk of offending anyone....I would prefer to fly the "cattle call" airline for several reasons.....first of which has nothing to do with price...but, we've received far better customer service from SW than we've ever received from any other airline, especially the legacy carriers.....and in my book, excellent customer relations is the ultimate way of keeping consumers loyal. Secondly, I actually would prefer to "choose" my own seat at boarding, not have the airline move either my seat or flight at their "choosing" which I had already "chosen" months before......which we all know happens over and over with the legacy carriers. Third, has anyone taken a good look at some of the equipment the higher priced legacy carriers are using these days? Some of those planes don't appear to be in the greatest shape. I have never flown on a SW flight where the plane appeared not in good condition. And, yes, finally ......price....as a good consumer, I do try to get the best product for the least cost and IMO, my family and I are getting the best product for the least cost. While I do realize that may not continue in the future.......we go back to my first reason for choosing the "cattle call" airline......and as long as we continue to receive excellent customer service.....we're giving no one else our business.

 

[TDC Nala]

You know it! I'd rather pay a lot more and get good service then the cattle car prices we see now.

Sorry, I'd rather be able to make 5 trips than one flight with "good service" and I hope this keeps up.

I have not had a SW flight where the service wasn't perfectly adequate.

 

[CarolA]

I would just like for common sense to break out. I don't expect a return to the days of "service" LOL! I just think that the economic model of "selling for less then cost" has a MAJOR flaw!!! (And it's not just the legacy carriers. SW does it too..... and it's starting to effect thier bottom line.)

I don't blame folks for buying the fares, it's not our fault the airlines are run by folks who can't add, but at some point something has to give. Either fares go up or airlines go under (and then fares to up!)

 

[TDC Nala]

I would just like for common sense to break out. I don't expect a return to the days of "service" LOL! I just think that the economic model of "selling for less then cost" has a MAJOR flaw!!! (And it's not just the legacy carriers. SW does it too..... and it's starting to effect thier bottom line.)

I don't blame folks for buying the fares, it's not our fault the airlines are run by folks who can't add, but at some point something has to give. Either fares go up or airlines go under (and then fares to up!)

I do agree with Carol that the fares are going to eventually go up no matter what. So I will be exploiting them while I can

 

[Andrea from PA]

We are planning a 12/14-12/21 or 12/22 trip.

We are outside of Philly & were considering driving because the air fares were high. You all have given me hope!

We are a family of 5.

If I book my Disney Package first, then keep checking airfare deals, is it difficult to add the Magical Express service?

Also, I have a relative who is a travel agent. Is it better to make my own reservations or use an agent? I know she won't make any money on us (last time she kicked it back in Disney Dollars for the kids), but my question is can I get deals just as good onb my own?

 

[DaisyD]

Sorry, I'd rather be able to make 5 trips than one flight with "good service" and I hope this keeps up.

I have not had a SW flight where the service wasn't perfectly adequate.

I'd rather make 5 trips having great service and pay more. The decline of air travel began with these cheap fares. Of course we pay cheap fares too because there is no other choice but I would prefer to pay more to get more.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'd rather make 5 trips having great service and pay more. The decline of air travel began with these cheap fares. Of course we pay cheap fares too because there is no other choice but I would prefer to pay more to get more.

Great if you can afford 5 trips with great service. BTW I don't think the "great service," whatever that means, will ever come back no matter how much the fares go up.

So I will use the cheap fares and enjoy it until the bottom drops out and I can't afford it anymore.

 

[DonnaL]

Andrea from PA.......I have always had better luck making my own ressies and arrangements (maybe because I'm a control freak, anyway!!!) But, seriously we've done both.....although it has been years since I had a travel agent make arrangements and especially in this day and age with everything available online it's just so easy to do it all yourself. Just do a little research before you begin.....so you know what a good price is (these boards are a great place to begin .....as is www.allearsnet.com and www.mousesavers.com) I cringe when I hear people say they spent literally thousands of dollars on a package to Disney. You can travel in style, stay at deluxe resorts, and eat very well on vacation simply by doing some research first and not booking the first package you come across.

 

[DaisyD]

Great if you can afford 5 trips with great service. BTW I don't think the "great service," whatever that means, will ever come back no matter how much the fares go up.

So I will use the cheap fares and enjoy it until the bottom drops out and I can't afford it anymore.

I mean the good old days where you got meals, snacks, movies and so on while riding in coach seats that were much more roomier. Now you are packed in like sardines, tossed a bag of pretzles and charged for headphones.

 

[TDC Nala]

I mean the good old days where you got meals, snacks, movies and so on while riding in coach seats that were much more roomier. Now you are packed in like sardines, tossed a bag of pretzles and charged for headphones.

I am sure. If I flew on longer flights I might agree. I don't miss a meal, snack or movie (actually I have a video Ipod) on a 2 hour flight and I still get a diet coke. When I flew to Vegas (4 hours) I got snacks. I can handle being a sardine for 2 hours and I try to get to the gate early enough to snag an exit row for Vegas.

 

[DaisyD]

I am sure. If I flew on longer flights I might agree. I don't miss a meal, snack or movie (actually I have a video Ipod) on a 2 hour flight and I still get a diet coke. When I flew to Vegas (4 hours) I got snacks. I can handle being a sardine for 2 hours and I try to get to the gate early enough to snag an exit row for Vegas.

We flew first class to Vegas a couple months ago and it really brought back memories! We had our choice of 3 different meals and they were very good. Free drinks, movies, real pillows and blankets! It was so nice! I would love to get that on a two hour flight as well.

 

[TDC Nala]

whoa...might be nice for Vegas. But can't you fly first class on a 2 hour flight too?