Not up on the ins and outs of flying...can you help?

[lovin'fl]

So, we have only flown to WDW twice and they were the most recent trips...so it's all new to us. We are doing a big family (15 of us...5 of just my fam) Xmas trip to WDW from 12/20 to 12/25 (we did 12/20-12/26 in 2011 and flew JetBlue from Reagan-DCA for a great deal @$200pp/rt). JetBlue just opened their Dec bookings and today it's $585pp/rt to fly from Reagan...abso-freakin-lutley ridiculous!!!!! I found a much better deal on US Air for $287pp/rt. I want to book it this minute. But, what are the chances that prices on JetBlue will go down (does that happen) and Southwest will open Dec bookings in a month or 2...do we wait for their pricing? If we can't get airfare for $300 or under, then DH wants us to drive (from MD...for a 5 night trip)...with me and the kids, maybe, flying back to do Xmas dinner at my mom's. So, what are the airfare pricing trends?

 

[eeyoresmom]

I would grab that price now. That is probably THE busiest travel week of the year. Too much of a huge gamble hoping for a lower price for that week.

 

[lovin'fl]

I think that's what I'm going to do. SIL1 is going to wait for SW to release...she thinks that will drive down other airline prices. I don't think I will find much lower than $287 and even if there will be a $250pp...that's not enough of a difference to take the gamble since there is a chance for fares to go way higher.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If I had a firm date over Christmas, I would buy my tickets as soon as I saw a good price. Fares have been high for a while now and $287 isn't that bad. You might want to look at fares out of IAD and BWI as well; DCA fares tend to be the most expensive.

 

[Greysword]

The ITAMatrix airfare search tool is coming up with $287 pp for your dates and a party of 5 in and out of all three DC region airports and into MCO/TPA (DCA to MCO the least expensive).

However, Delta is showing mostly mid-range economy fares (no LUT discount economy fares), so they may release some. That said, DL would require a connection.

Also, keep in mind a couple of things. US Airways charges for checked luggage, so if you have a bag, factor that price into the cost of the ticket for a fair comparison and total cost. Second, these are non-stop flights. Delta will likely require a connection, and I value non-stop at a premium.

 

[lovin'fl]

The ITAMatrix airfare search tool is coming up with $287 pp for your dates and a party of 5 in and out of all three DC region airports and into MCO/TPA (DCA to MCO the least expensive).

However, Delta is showing mostly mid-range economy fares (no LUT discount economy fares), so they may release some. That said, DL would require a connection.

Also, keep in mind a couple of things. US Airways charges for checked luggage, so if you have a bag, factor that price into the cost of the ticket for a fair comparison and total cost. Second, these are non-stop flights. Delta will likely require a connection, and I value non-stop at a premium.

Us too. US Air charges $25 for 1st checked bag and $35 for 2nd...we will have a 2BR villa with W/D and can likely manage with 1 checked bag PP...maybe even combine and just have 3 total bags.

 

[Missyrose]

I think that's what I'm going to do. SIL1 is going to wait for SW to release...she thinks that will drive down other airline prices. I don't think I will find much lower than $287 and even if there will be a $250pp...that's not enough of a difference to take the gamble since there is a chance for fares to go way higher.

The problem is once SW bought Air Tran, it eliminated one of its biggest discount airline competitors. So the SW fares haven't been as low as they were the past few years.

For Christmas week, I'd say if you find a fare you're comfortable with, grab it. There typically aren't many sales for that week because there's too much demand.

 

[mcraige]

Have you thought about group travel? I used it many years ago for a family trip for 15 and saved a lot of money. Check with the airlines on their rules/regulations.