Just booked SW...$49 to MCO from Philly

[njmomboys2]

I can't believe the price I just got.....total airfare of about $470 for a family of four in July...from Philly to MCO.......

Any tips for checking in and getting the boarding of A and B.....what is it actually like at the gate when those letters are called.

I couldn't believe it since continental was pricing almost $1200 for similiar times from newark...since we live in Jackson, NJ we are about 1 hour from either philly or newark...

seemed like a no brainer to me.

any thoughts?

 

[pamjb]

Congrats on the great rate! Just goes to show you that you don't always have to wait for a Ding!

There are queues set up for the boarding letters in PHL and MCO. Sometimes the lines are a bit confusing, but I have been flying SW for 3 years now and there has never been a fist fight regarding boarding

While I always get a A boarding pass, I just wait in my seat for the last person waiting in line the A line to board. I don't mind sitting in the back of the plane. The whole plane usually gets to the destination at the same time. You will see people lining up as early as an hour before the flight starts.

Here is a little more concise description of the boarding of SW

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422264

 

[szymon]

FYI this rate is also valid on Airtran. I booked Airtran last night for July dates as well.

The rate is valid to/from Tampa as well - so my wife and I are flying into MCO, staying 1 week, and then going to Clearwater for 2 days and flying back from TPA.

Szymon

 

[c.w.e.m.]

We bit last night and went ahead and bought tix for August 12 - 19. Six of us going and paid $703.80 or $117.30/RT.

Never flown out of PHL before, always have used Norfolk or Baltimore, but living on the Eastern Shore of MD, it's 100+ mile drive to any major airport. US Airways has a commuter terminal in Salisbury (about 25 miles away), but they are high as they are the only airline flying out of Salisbury (try $2,257.80 for 6 of us or $376.30 R/T). So, we drive. It's just 15 more miles to drive to Philly than it is Baltimore and when you're talking 100+ miles anyway, what's 15 more???

I should post this in a new thread, but I'll give it a shot here - What's the best lot to use in Philly??? Are off-site lots better than long-term airport lots???

Any help for Philly would be appreciated.

 

[NJDad18]

Any tips for checking in and getting the boarding of A and B.....what is it actually like at the gate when those letters are called.

Just make sure that you're at your computer 24 hours before your departure to check in online and you'll be able to get the A boarding passes. When you're in WDW you can check-in online at the concierge desk at your hotel.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I haved used Avistar at PHL, as well as used them at JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia. You can reserve a spot on their website, and they discount for AAA (coupon on website is almost as good as AAA discount)

 

[DonnaL]

Regarding online checkin for the return trip...........if your flight is 24 hours from a time when you'll be in a park, simply make sure you take your confirmation numbers with you that day and go to Guest Relations. They will allow you to print your boarding passes. We were at Epcot and they have a small room all set up for guests to go online and print their own passes. Don't know whether all parks have a specific room for guest use, but, all Guest Relations will print the passes.

 

[pamjb]

I should post this in a new thread, but I'll give it a shot here - What's the best lot to use in Philly??? Are off-site lots better than long-term airport lots???

Any help for Philly would be appreciated.

Here is a great thread listing parking choices at PHL

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1242099

 

[MinMouse]

I can't believe the price I just got.....total airfare of about $470 for a family of four in July...from Philly to MCO.......

Any tips for checking in and getting the boarding of A and B.....what is it actually like at the gate when those letters are called.

I couldn't believe it since continental was pricing almost $1200 for similiar times from newark...since we live in Jackson, NJ we are about 1 hour from either philly or newark...

seemed like a no brainer to me.

any thoughts?

Glad you found such a great deal on Southwest! In regard to the boarding area . . . some will sit on the floor til the plane boards to be among the first. I agree with the other poster. Get your "A" pass by checking in on line 24 hours before; then board at the end of the "A" boarding line. You'll still be sitting in the front half of the plane.

 

[dddisrunner]

We flew SW last year in Aug. out of Philly for the same price. If one of your children is 4yrs. or younger you are automatically allowed to board even before group A. They will ask for wheelchair passengers first then those traveling with small children. It worked like a charm for us. Good Luck!

 

[katielady]

Yeah!
We just switched from a morning Baltimore flight to a night Phila flight and saved $300. (Well I think it is a savings....they will only give us a $300 credit towards future travel

 

[FBandA]

I went in Aug. of 2005 and Yes I did see a fist fly for a passenger who did not hear the call out for pre-boards. We were leaving Orlando. So it does happen. The person who hit the man did not get to come home that day. Delayed our flight also.