NJ airline question???

[SafariTigger]

To my NJ DISers - I have been flying Spirit for the last several trips and although I love the convenience of flying out of AC, I am wondering if there is a better alternative that doesn't have so many extra fees and constant delays in flight times. Have you tried Frontier Airlines yet? I am going on a Disney cruise next July and can't get airfare prices from anyone yet but Frontier is at least 3 months behind Spirit in pricing information. I have gotten good deals by getting my airfare early and I am just not the type of person that can wait for last minute deals, but what I am wondering is should I wait for Frontier prices to come out? Are they usually better than or about the same as Spirit? Did you like the airport? the flight times? Thanks for any help you can give!!!

 

[lizabean]

i also fly spirit ac. only thirty mins. away .i hate them!!!!! but no one is cheaper... I say every trip never again but $$$$.this trip oct. I booked each way seperatly saved some you know .cheap oneway not the other.glad i did flight went from $69 to $217

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We're in Cherry Hill and while we don't mind driving to AC, it seems we get a similar deal from Southwest once we factor in luggage fees. SWA allows 2 bags pp with no fees and also no change fees (changes in fare would still apply). SWA usually doesn't release fares until approx. 6 mos in advance. They rarely change their schedule once published, unlike other lines that publish way earlier then make multiple changes by the time the travel day comes. They give notice when they will release the next fares here. (Read the smaller print under the large Travel Tools.)

http://www.southwest.com/html/travel-tools/index.html?int=GFOOTER-CUSTOMER-TRAVEL-TOOLS

OP, I read your other post about stressing over the high cost of fares & feel your pain. If you're considering renting a car, I would personally consider making it a one way rental & fly home. After a nice, relaxing DCL cruise, the thought of driving all the way home would make me physically ill. jmho.
Take with a grain of salt cause I'm someone who would pay anything to fly; we would just travel less frequently. Williamsburg, VA is my max for driving....

 

[SafariTigger]

We're in Cherry Hill and while we don't mind driving to AC, it seems we get a similar deal from Southwest once we factor in luggage fees. SWA allows 2 bags pp with no fees and also no change fees (changes in fare would still apply). SWA usually doesn't release fares until approx. 6 mos in advance. They rarely change their schedule once published, unlike other lines that publish way earlier then make multiple changes by the time the travel day comes. They give notice when they will release the next fares here. (Read the smaller print under the large Travel Tools.)

http://www.southwest.com/html/travel-tools/index.html?int=GFOOTER-CUSTOMER-TRAVEL-TOOLS

OP, I read your other post about stressing over the high cost of fares & feel your pain. If you're considering renting a car, I would personally consider making it a one way rental & fly home. After a nice, relaxing DCL cruise, the thought of driving all the way home would make me physically ill. jmho.
Take with a grain of salt cause I'm someone who would pay anything to fly; we would just travel less frequently. Williamsburg, VA is my max for driving....

We are taking a DCL 4 night cruise but then spending 5 nights at Disney's Vero Beach Resort so we are going to need a rental car no matter what - I just have to figure out what is going to be more cost effective for us without being too inconvenient!

 

[njmom76]

We are between ACY and PHL and flew Spirit to MCO in both 2011 and 2012. When I priced out for this summer, SW was the same cost as Spirit once I incorporated all fees and then I didn't have to worry about packing restrictions ( 40 lbs on Spirit vs 50 on SW, 2 checked and 1 carryon included per person). I have no experience with Frontier. Good luck!

 

[Hasil72]

I haven't flown with Frontier yet but our friends are flying them next month. Even with paying the extra $25 to upgrade (includes luggage fees and seat selection) it was a few hundred dollars cheaper than Spirit. Just know ahead of time that Frontier in Wilmington only has flights on Saturdays and Tuesdays and only 1 or 2 flights each day. I'm hoping to try them next trip since we're driving in October.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

Frontier is an excellent alternative to Spirit. However, there is typically only 1 flight per day into Orlando from Trenton, and like Wilmington, they don't have flights every day (they only fly 5 days per week).

But, they have reasonable fares and TV's at every seat.

Trenton-Mercer airport is going to be closed for a runway project from Sept 9th through Nov 7th.

 

[Sheilby]

Hey fellow Jerseyans. I don't fly much so I don't know anything about all those airlines you are mentioning, but may I ask what you consider to be a good price for a round trip flight with all the taxes and fees added in?

I found a nonstop JetBlue flight (which includes 1 checked bag and free TV) for $244 per person round trip. That is the final price with everything. I could have bought a cheaper trip if I was willing to fly out in the evening (by about 12 bucks), but I didn't want to waste a Disney day.

Are these discount airlines you mention significantly cheaper? Are they non-stop flights? Do they include checked bags? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.

 

[jskacoc]

Hey fellow Jerseyans. I don't fly much so I don't know anything about all those airlines you are mentioning, but may I ask what you consider to be a good price for a round trip flight with all the taxes and fees added in?

I found a nonstop JetBlue flight (which includes 1 checked bag and free TV) for $244 per person round trip. That is the final price with everything. I could have bought a cheaper trip if I was willing to fly out in the evening (by about 12 bucks), but I didn't want to waste a Disney day.

Are these discount airlines you mention significantly cheaper? Are they non-stop flights? Do they include checked bags? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.

I use Spirit and this year I paid $140 r/t each person for our Sept flights. Last year I paid closer to $100 r/t each.
We only check one piece of luggage which is my DH's clothes. (Unfortunately, he packs as if 'I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it'). I roll the kids clothes and put them in their backpacks which are their free 'personal items'. I also roll my clothes and use a large tote bag. Measurement just have to be under 16x14x12. We wear our bulky things on the plane like sneakers and jeans.
I do not pay for seats. Have not had a problem of being separated yet.
I don't need a snack as we bring our own and will buy a drink before boarding the plane. It's not that long of a flight.
They are no frills but I like to save money so no big deal to us.
When I was first watching flights the best I could find (other than Spirit) was Frontier out of Wilmington and Southwest/AirTran out of Philly for around $220 r/t each person.
Hope that helps!

 

[Sheilby]

I use Spirit and this year I paid $140 r/t each person for our Sept flights. Last year I paid closer to $100 r/t each.
We only check one piece of luggage which is my DH's clothes. (Unfortunately, he packs as if 'I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it'). I roll the kids clothes and put them in their backpacks which are their free 'personal items'. I also roll my clothes and use a large tote bag. Measurement just have to be under 16x14x12. We wear our bulky things on the plane like sneakers and jeans.
I do not pay for seats. Have not had a problem of being separated yet.
I don't need a snack as we bring our own and will buy a drink before boarding the plane. It's not that long of a flight.
They are no frills but I like to save money so no big deal to us.
When I was first watching flights the best I could find (other than Spirit) was Frontier out of Wilmington and Southwest/AirTran out of Philly for around $220 r/t each person.
Hope that helps!

That does, thanks! I will definitely keep an eye out for that airline next time. Those are the full prices with taxes and fees right?

 

[jskacoc]

Yes, taxes and fees. They are also non-stop flights.

If you choose Spirit you can also book at the airport and save $17 (passenger usage fee aka online booking fee) each way/each ticket. When I booked my in-laws flights (8 passengers) we drove the 1 hour each way to buy them at the airport because that is a big savings.