Need the best flight time and a great price. Possible?

[Amps]

Hey all! I'm planning on flying out of Buffalo on SWA next May for our trip to WDW. I managed to snag a $55 (one-way) fare for our trip last May (total cost of $300 for 2 people) but it wound up being a real kick in the pants. The only flights available left at 11:30am and didn't get in to MCO untill 3:45pm which meant that after checkin, waiting for groceries and dinner, we only had 65mins at the MK before it closed. Similarily on our way home, the flight left at 11:00am which meant we were up at 6:30am to leave the hotel by 7:30am. We wound up loosing a full day and a half because of the flight times and even wound up adding an extra day to our stay to help make up for it.

This time around, I'm curious as to what my odds are of getting a good rate ($50-75) and managing to get an early morning flight (8am or earlier) for our way in and a late day flight (3pm or later) on our way out. When SWA releases flight dates, do the times I'm looking for book up really fast? I'm assuming the flights for May will be released around January but the deals don't usually come up untill March. If I wait am I out of luck?

Also, what's everyones opinion on paying a little more to get there a little earlier to to leave a little later? Is it worth it?

 

[Lewisc]

SW has been doing a better job, from their perspective of yield management. Not offering deeply discounted fares on flights that would otherwise sell out at higher fares. When SW discounts a flight some of the flights are going to passengers that already had a reservation on that flight and is just getting a credit for future travel.

Consider leaving the night before and staying at a hotel near MCO. Consider leaving during the week. The first N/S on Saturday morning is going to be a harder flight to get discounted then the same flight during the middle of the week.

You may have to decide what's more important. Getting a great flight time or getting the best possible price.

 

[Servants of Evan]

http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/27/news/economy/airfares/index.htm

 

[ktglads]

I fly out of Buffalo as my home airport and right now fly mostly Southwest. What I do is spend the extra night at a hotel in Orlando and leave on the nighttime flight after work. The direct flight leaves at 5:30 PM and gets in about 9:00 and there is also a 7:30 PM flight that will get in at 11:30 PM. This is nice as we can just get up the next morning and start the day at a park. No extra vacation day needed, just another night at the hotel. As for the flight home, the 5:55 flight will get you home at 10:30 and still give you 75% of a day in the park. You would just need to leave for the airport by 3 or 3:30. I have almost every single time gotten these exact flights for under $75 each way

 

[Lewisc]

Given the price of jet fuel last years "expensive" fare on a good flight might be this years "cheap fare" on an off-peak flight.