Jetblue and SW questions....

[autismgoesdisney]

I have a question....is it smart to book right away with either of these carriers? And if a cheaper rate came out for the dates I was flying, would either of these carriers honor the cheaper rate?

Thanks

 

[gmeh1]

I have a question....is it smart to book right away with either of these carriers? And if a cheaper rate came out for the dates I was flying, would either of these carriers honor the cheaper rate?

Thanks

Book whenever you like the fare. If lower fares come out, SWA will honor it and keep the difference as a credit for you for future travel as long as the travel is completed by the original purchase date. No change fee.
As to Jet Blue, I defer to someone else for that answer.

 

[ccgirl]

I have a question....is it smart to book right away with either of these carriers? And if a cheaper rate came out for the dates I was flying, would either of these carriers honor the cheaper rate?

Thanks

Book whenever you like the fare. If lower fares come out, SWA will honor it and keep the difference as a credit for you for future travel as long as the travel is completed by the original purchase date. No change fee.
As to Jet Blue, I defer to someone else for that answer.

I usually book the day they come out as I like specific times and will only fly non stop/direct.

Both of the airlines will give you a "refund" of sorts where they hold money in an account that you can use on a future flight. They will not refund your card.

Lately, I have been prefering Jet Blue because I can do the 6 month no payments, no financing to spread out the payments.

 

[gmeh1]

I usually book the day they come out as I like specific times and will only fly non stop/direct.

Both of the airlines will give you a "refund" of sorts where they hold money in an account that you can use on a future flight. They will not refund your card.

Lately, I have been prefering Jet Blue because I can do the 6 month no payments, no financing to spread out the payments.

Does Jet Blue charge a change fee?

 

[herb102211]

Does Jet Blue charge a change fee?

Yes, they do! It's $100 per ticket

 

[TheWog]

Does Jet Blue charge a change fee?

Yes, only if you change flights. If your actual flight drops in fare price they will provide you a credit for the amount of the drop as mentioned. You would have one year to use the credit towards another JetBlue flight.

 

[DebbieB]

Book whenever you like the fare. If lower fares come out, SWA will honor it and keep the difference as a credit for you for future travel as long as the travel is completed by the original purchase date. No change fee.
As to Jet Blue, I defer to someone else for that answer.

The credit is good for 1 year from the original purchase date.

 

[yankeeslover]

what do you mean 6 months no payments with jetblue???

 

[vacationclub]

I have a question....is it smart to book right away with either of these carriers? And if a cheaper rate came out for the dates I was flying, would either of these carriers honor the cheaper rate?

Thanks

It's smart to book as soon as you know you are going somewhere...on any airline. Prices usually go up, and only occasionally go down temporarily, which you can get a flying credit for if you're paying attention. If you wait for a temporary price dip, you may miss it, or it may not even happen, then you're stuck with even higher prices. The highest prices are the day of the flight. The lowest prices are the day they announce the flight many months earlier. It goes up steadily from there with some occasional dips. This goes for pretty much any airline with some variations.

 

[gmeh1]

The credit is good for 1 year from the original purchase date.

Didn't I say that? LOL

 

[gmeh1]

what do you mean 6 months no payments with jetblue???

https://www.securecheckout.billmela...227ZP2&content=/bmlweb/jb_np90drollingiw.html

 

[n2mm]

The credit is good for 1 year from the original purchase date.

Correct for SW

But for Jetblue, your credit is good for one year from the day you get the credit. Plus you can use the credit to buy a ticket, even if the date traveling is after the expiration date. I think SW you have to buy and travel before the expiration date.

However, SW has all beat when it comes to changing flights w/o a fee. Also SW allows 2 free bags, while Jetblue allows 1. But SW can't compare to JB's direct TVs at every seat. I use to fly down on SW (when the rates were lowest or the times were better), but always home on Jetblue. Now that there are no non-stop SW flights out of Dulles, I'm a Jetblue girl all the way. I've been flying them for the last few years and have been very pleased with the service.

 

[DebbieB]

Didn't I say that? LOL

You left out "one year".

 

[cbsnyber1]

The lowest prices are the day they announce the flight many months earlier. It goes up steadily from there with some occasional dips. This goes for pretty much any airline with some variations.

Ah, not necessarily. I have been monitoring Pittsburgh to MCO fares on SW since the most recent schedule change. When first published they were pretty much $139 each way across the board. About a month ago most of the fares suddenly dropped to $95 each way, and they have remained there with some exceptions, for Saturday and around holidays for instance. So, no, the best fares were not on the day they were announced in this instance.

You should start monitoring fares well before you book - the up or down fare pattern for your particular route and for your preferred airline should soon become apparent. Supply and demand for a given route drives prices. When ready to book you should have a good idea of when to book, if you do your homework.

I'm booking for an October trip, and the next schedule advance for SW occurs on Jan. 22 - but only through September 28. I will be watching fare patterns carefully after the release - and pray that same pattern holds for my booking period.

All fares are at the mercy of international fuel prices, so my advice goes out the window if world events cause fuel price spikes.

The best advice I've heard - when you see a fare you like or find acceptable, book it.

 

[gmeh1]

You left out "one year".

Yep, I sure did......good catch.