OK, SWA is really getting to me now...

[ptrbryant]

Last year, we nabbed the $39 each way fare between Nashville and Orlando, which I'd booked in March for our May 2005 trip through their systemwide onsite sale, never got a good ding for our dates. I know they have this fare several times a year. No luck so far...in fact, it's $114 each way.

Originally, we planned our dates to be 5/16 through 5/23. The one outgoing flight we really want became labeled "unavailable" for the "lower" fares for that date. I rearranged our hotel and car rental to 5/17. Today, when I thought I'd go ahead and book the outgoing leg to make sure we get that specific flight, it's now labeled as "unavailable" for the 17th, but is now miraculously available again for the 16th!

Deep down, I still believe there's going to be LOW fares coming up---which is what I budgeted for. But, I'm feeling forced to book something for that outgoing leg. I understand the changing fare game (I guess), but what's going on with the availability musical chairs?

Sorry, just had to vent!

Karla B.

 

[grimley1968]

It's all market-based, and they do this every year. Last year I booked an internet fare for Nashville to Orlando of around $85 each way just to have it, then when a DING came along for about $40 each way, I cancelled the $85 fare, and used the funds for the DING fare. That left me enough funds to book another flight later in the year.

 

[NotUrsula]

These days the really rock-bottom fares are only likely to be seen in new markets where SWA has just opened service and needs to draw new customers. I'd say that if you see something better than $70 o/w, that will be an excellent deal now.

SWA's hedged fuel contracts have begun to expire, so their ability to really undercut competitors' fares is diminishing. The price of jet fuel has skyrocketed over the past year, and the money for it has to come from somewhere.

 

[ptrbryant]

But only thru 3/31! I understand what you're saying about fuel costs, etc., but---not for my dates--I've seen Nashville - FL for $29 o.w. in the past couple of months. I guess, for that reason, I can't believe that there's not going to be something much better than the current $126 o.w. (since the $114 is "apparantly" unavailable). I agree, though, if the fare was $70, I'd book it and not complain much if it didn't go lower. I've been working so hard to keeping to a budget and not putting anything on my cc I can't clear the next month that I just hate having to mess it up over airfare that will probably come down closer to my budget!

As another poster said, though, I can book it now for that flight and, if it goes down, use the credit towards a family trip to Philadelphia we're doing in September. I don't want to book both legs at the high fares, though, as I could end up with more credit than I'll spend in one year!

Karla B.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I can't believe that there's not going to be something much better than the current $126 o.w.

You need to keep in mind that it is likely air fares will continue to increase, not decrease, in the coming months, as they always do as summer nears and demand also increases.

 

[ptrbryant]

But, last March is when I got the $29 o.w. for our May trip!

Karla B. , the optimist