OT: Pittsburghers-Do you think SW will still offer $29 flights to Chicago?

[Lucky'sMom]

I had heard that SW added $10 to every flight. I promised my DD that for her 8th birthday in July, I would take her to the American Girl place in Chicago. They used to have the great $29 each way flights at times. I'm wondering now if they still will, so I don't know what price to book my flight at. It's currently $49 each way to Chicago, which is what I always pay for PIT to MCO. I'm not sure if I should wait it out, or if this may be as low as it will get now. Any thoughts....

 

[DebbieB]

With gas prices rising, I would grab $49, that's a great fare. I just booked a flight on Northwest for work PIT/MSP, it was $739.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

bumping...anyone else? We got the $29 rate in November.

 

[simzac]

I don't believe you'll be paying $49 for PIT to MCO any more. Fuel costs continue to climb, and the money SW saved in the past on prepaid fuel is running out, so look for their fares to continue to go even higher than the most recent announced increase. I hope not, as we only fly SW, but I see the inevitable on the horizon. Sorry if I sound like a pessemist.

 

[gw_lit]

I would highly doubt that you'll see the $29 fare anymore. There have been tons of stories in the media on how much upward pressure is on airfare due to oil prices, airline profitability (or lack thereof), etc. I'd plan on it costing $49 each way, and I'd be thrilled if it got as low as $39 and buy immediately.

 

[eeyore45]

take the $49 each way air fare and try and save on hotel costs - try using betterbidding.com for hints on getting a hotel (click on IL and read up on hints first, its a lot of reading, but its worth it to get a NMA - North Michigan Ave is the place you want to bid for! under $100 - make sure you dont come during a convention tho - otherwise no hotels available at high end prices!! Also check out biddingfortravel.com - not as friendly to post questions to, but again, lots of helpful info on both sites!!)

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Thank you so much. One other quick SW question...if you book at a rate, and then there's availability at a lower sale rate, you can rebook at the lower rate and then "bank" the money difference for a future flight, right?

 

[lawgs]

you either get a ticketless refund with funds available for a year from when you first booked the "original" flight

or

some have said they have been able to convince the nice people at southwest to give them a credit back on their credit card

your mileage may vary

on a side note, there have been "whispers" over on flyertalk.com that southwest may start to charge for changes....let us all hope that is NOT true

 

[HappyCamperToo]

take the $49 each way air fare and try and save on hotel costs -

If it's not essential to stay in downtown Chicago (will you be renting a car at the airport?), check out these web sites. They are Chicago radio stations which sell local goods and services, including hotel stays. You call the radio station while the show is on air to buy what you want, mail in a check and then they mail you the certificate.

http://www.radioshoppingshow.com/wbig/index.htm
http://www.radioshoppingshow.com/wrmn/index.htm

I've bought hotel stays for as low as $19 from them, which includes all taxes. More typical rates might be about $29-$34, often for hotels with breakfasts and indoor pools. They sell out-of-town hotels, too.--a somewhat accurate inventory can be found on their website. Prices listed are retail value, not what you pay. I think you can listen to the show online to get a feel for how it works. DH and DD recently stayed 2 nights in Indianapolis at a Country Inn & Suites from them for $49 total cost! WBIG even has some Westgate properties near WDW right now.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Thank so much for the hotel suggestions....but I work part-time for Marriott, so I get great hotel rates through them.

 

[lpbm4]

I *LITERALLY* just flew back from Pgh yesterday afternoon. My friend and I got a $29 one way flight 1mo ago. I just saw a recent Ding (maybe 2wks ago??) for $34-39 one way. I would wait for a Ding and I'm sure you'll get a great rate!!!