need expert advice on airfare

[chellt]

I am trying to book airfare from dfw to mco for June 2011. It is my first time to fly with kids, so I am wanting nonstop flights. Just can't see torturing myself by turning a 2 hour flight into a 6 hour flight with two little ones!

Anyway, how would you suggest I book?
I've flown, just never booked...Our TA doesn't do airfare, so I am on my own.
There are sooo many options out there - thru the airlines, expedia, orbitz, etc.... Who will refund or give credit if the fare drops? Any advice needed and appreciated!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would check several of those you mentioned, Orbitz, Kayak, etc. But, I would book through the airline directly when ready to book.

 

[backyardponder]

You might want to check Southwest at www.southwest.com. They do not have non-stops, but they have a bunch of flights with no plane change. Usually this means about 25 minutes at the gate.

You mentioned flying out of DFW. Note that Southwest serves Dallas out of Love field. I don't know how that would work out for you.

A couple of reasons I love Southwest...1) They don't charge for checked baggage (up to 2 pieces 50 pounds each per passenger) 2) If the airfare goes down, you can re-book without paying a fee and the credit with Southwest is valid for 1 year after the initial purchase.

 

[dudspizza]

I would check several of those you mentioned, Orbitz, Kayak, etc. But, I would book through the airline directly when ready to book.

I agree with this strategy. Southwest and few of the smaller/budget airlines don't come up on Expedia, Travelocity, etc.... so they would have to be searched separately.

I always use those site to check airfare and then book directly with the airline on their website, unless they are not offering the same price. I have booked a packed to Las Vegas twice using Expedia and have not had any issues at all, but I prefer to book it direct with the airline.

Duds

 

[Karlzmom]

Not sure where you are in Texas, but Jetblue does a run from Austin to MCO that would be non-stop. They also offer a free checked bag, price drop protection and each seat has its own TV for amusing the wee one....

 

[chellt]

Thanks for the advice.... Yes, Love Field, Shreveport, Little Rock would all work as they are all about the same distance from us. But SW is HIGH right now! Plus I am terrified of the "no reserved seats." Can they really separate you from your kids? And does anyone know what the ages are for preboarding with "young children" on SW. I have not been able to find that info.
Shreveport (Allegiant) would be the best, but they are no longer flying into MCO. We would still consider flying into Sanford, for the super-low prices they were advertising last year, but I can't even pick Sanford as an option on their website right now.... Grrr.....
I had decided to go ahead and book our trip and then deal with airfare after the holidays - hoping it would go down a bit.... Is this crazy? Am I setting myself up for a colassal mess????

 

[backyardponder]

Since we don't know what airline you have or plan to book, don't know if you've set yourself up for a mess or not.

As far as not sitting with you kids on SW, it is highly unlikely. People are friendly and will move to let you sit next to young ones. Besides, there aren't many people who want to sit next to someone else's kids anyway!!! If you check in early enough, you'll get a good boarding position also. In reading this board the last few years I've seen lots of folks concerned about sitting with their little ones, but nobody has ever said they couldn't sit with them.

 

[sndral]

I always just search via Kayak, which includes expedia & orbitz, etc. and click the non stop option. If I see a fare I like I'll often go directly to the airline's web site to book it. I also search separately on SW since they aren't on Kayak.
Regarding SW - I believe the age for preboard is 4 & under. They board between A and B seating - so you'll be able to sit w/ your young children assuming one is under 4. I hadn't flown SW in several years and flew them again recently a few times - I loved it, very organized and civilized, everyone had a number and sorted themselves out quite easily, not sure how people with young children would perceive it, though.

 

[DebbieB]

Looks like AirTran and American have non-stops between DFW and MCO. Not sure when the SW/Air Tran merger is going to be effective, at that time AirTran will no longer service DFW.

 

[chellt]

For those of you who scope out the deals on the different websites, but book directly with the airlines - what am I missing? I find the prices to be much better on these websites and the same flight numbers on American's own site goes up a couple hundred bucks? Is there anyway to get those prices? Just a little leary of booking with another site...Don't know why...Just am...

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We can be more of a help if you give us the dates/flight you're looking at.

Sometimes, though, the prices on expedia, etc., are outdated, and when you go to purchase, it'll tell you the price is higher than what you were quoted. And, sometimes the travel sites are able to get discounts. But, usually it is the same price (though not always).

But, the reason people prefer to book directly with the airlines is that the airlines change policy is often more generous than when you book through the travel sites (including credits if the price goes down).

A second reason for booking directly with the airline is there is less of a chance of things going wrong. When you book directly, it's just you and the airline. When you book through the travel sites, they are a middleman, so that doubles the chance of a mess up.

 

[mollybeasley]

Thanks for the advice.... Yes, Love Field, Shreveport, Little Rock would all work as they are all about the same distance from us. But SW is HIGH right now! Plus I am terrified of the "no reserved seats." Can they really separate you from your kids? And does anyone know what the ages are for preboarding with "young children" on SW. I have not been able to find that info.
Shreveport (Allegiant) would be the best, but they are no longer flying into MCO. We would still consider flying into Sanford, for the super-low prices they were advertising last year, but I can't even pick Sanford as an option on their website right now.... Grrr.....
I had decided to go ahead and book our trip and then deal with airfare after the holidays - hoping it would go down a bit.... Is this crazy? Am I setting myself up for a colassal mess????

On southwest, you should checkin early - 24 hours before your flight. The earlier you check-in, the better your spot in line. You can also pay more to get automatic early checkin. We didn't find it necessary, but it might give you some peace of mind.

 

[chellt]

We can be more of a help if you give us the dates/flight you're looking at.

Sometimes, though, the prices on expedia, etc., are outdated, and when you go to purchase, it'll tell you the price is higher than what you were quoted. And, sometimes the travel sites are able to get discounts. But, usually it is the same price (though not always).

But, the reason people prefer to book directly with the airlines is that the airlines change policy is often more generous than when you book through the travel sites (including credits if the price goes down).

A second reason for booking directly with the airline is there is less of a chance of things going wrong. When you book directly, it's just you and the airline. When you book through the travel sites, they are a middleman, so that doubles the chance of a mess up.

June 14 (early morning preferred)
return on the 21st (evening preferred)
NONSTOP!!!!
DFW, Love FIeld, Shreveport, Houston, Little Rock

American out of DFW has been the best I have found, even with baggage fees they are about 300 cheaper than SW... On Expedia I got it for 1050 for all four of us... but the same flights on Amercian is 300 bucks more....
Just looking for the best deal - aren't we all?!?!?

THANKS!!

 

[DebbieB]

We can be more of a help if you give us the dates/flight you're looking at.

Sometimes, though, the prices on expedia, etc., are outdated, and when you go to purchase, it'll tell you the price is higher than what you were quoted. And, sometimes the travel sites are able to get discounts. But, usually it is the same price (though not always).

But, the reason people prefer to book directly with the airlines is that the airlines change policy is often more generous than when you book through the travel sites (including credits if the price goes down).

A second reason for booking directly with the airline is there is less of a chance of things going wrong. When you book directly, it's just you and the airline. When you book through the travel sites, they are a middleman, so that doubles the chance of a mess up.

One time I did try to book on Expedia or Orbitz and that happened to me - price was no longer available. I've found the direct airline price is the same almost all the time.

 

[elainesj]

if you;re going to get a ticket from expedia, try orbitz instead. I bought from expedia for this trip and have used them in the past too....and found that orbitz gives a better price guarantee...supposedly sending u a cheque if the price drops. I haven;t tested this out myself...but it sure sounds better than the 0 price protection I get on expedia.

i fly from detroit and the only nonstop flights for me are spirit and delta. i found prices pretty much the same everywhere.

E

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

It looks like expedia is having a sale for AA flights, they are cheaper than the AA site, or orbitz.

But: check this out:
$253 round trip
AirTran DFW>MCO 7:00a–10:31a 0 | 2h 31m | econ
MCO>DFW 8:01p–9:47p 0 | 2h 46m | econ
Flight details
Outbound (DFW>MCO)
AirTran Flight #1601 | 2h 31m | Economy Cabin
Tue, Jun 14 7:00a from Dallas, TX (DFW)
10:31a in Orlando, FL (MCO)
Return (MCO>DFW)
AirTran Flight #1605 | 2h 46m | Economy Cabin
Tue, Jun 21 8:01p from Orlando, FL (MCO)
9:47p in Dallas, TX (DFW)