OUTRAGEOUS airfare!!!!

[MushyMushy]

I'm getting frustrated with the rates out of PIT, plus there aren't any great non-stops. It's turning out to be cheaper for us to rent a car to drive to Baltimore and fly out of there. At least we have far more non-stop options. This flying business is stressing me out.

 

[trewin]

I'm getting frustrated with the rates out of PIT, plus there aren't any great non-stops. It's turning out to be cheaper for us to rent a car to drive to Baltimore and fly out of there. At least we have far more non-stop options. This flying business is stressing me out.

Have you tried Airtran? We got flights for $220 roundtrip. We only booked 3 mo in advance- I also *believe* If you book & find a cheaper rate thru them they'll give you a credit to use at a later date too- good luck!!

 

[3happydancers]

I booked when flights first came out for our August trip. I paid 280.00 RT(140.00 each way) from Isp to Mco non-stop. Today I noticed the flight going down to Orlando is now a whopping $235.00 and coming home $271.00. Sooo glad I booked. I know there is always a chance flights will drop below the 140.00 each way but considering what SWA is asking now, I am ok with the price. Certainly not the $59.00 we used to get! We don't usually take advantage of credits because we only fly 1x a year but I can't resist checking flight prices out of curiosity. A few years back, I would barter my credits with my hair stylist. She'd get the credits, I'd get the haircuts. SWA no longer allows this.

I do know that if this upward trend continues, our future trips may turn into road trips! Prices are at a point where paying for 3 round trip flights won't be doable for the three of us. Not sure how much driving would cost from Long Island to Orlando so I guess I have some homework to do. In the meantime, we'll have to build up our reward points and fly every few years (we tend to use CC's sparingly for fear of falling into debt).

 

[clareita]

I would have been delighted to find flights for only $500 round trip. We are paying $630 a ticket for our upcoming trip, going from Boston to Orlando. The flights aren't normally that expensive, but the airlines hike the fees for school vacation week. It's not surprising, since the law of supply and demand dictate prices, and there is big demand for flights to Orlando that week.

 

[elaine amj]

I hate to say it, but while $300 from the upper midwest isn't a great deal, it's far from outrageous, especially for non-stop flights at times you like.

True true. I did notice a significant uptick in flight prices this year. I flew to Orlando last year mid-March during exactly the same week as this year. Last year, the average price for Delta out of DTW was $300, and it dropped as low as $220 some time in January. I bought at about $280 in early February.

This year, average prices for months was $350-$400+. I was resigned to paying about $400. At the end of February, I got a super good deal on Southwest for about $250 - this involved transfers, turning a 2.5 hr flight to a 6+ hr flight each way. It was worth it to us for the savings - but I long for the days of super cheap airfares.

 

[MushyMushy]

Have you tried Airtran? We got flights for $220 roundtrip. We only booked 3 mo in advance- I also *believe* If you book & find a cheaper rate thru them they'll give you a credit to use at a later date too- good luck!!

They have a couple of non-stops, but are so expensive right now. There are a couple of good 1-stops, but there are a couple of reasons I don't want to do that. One, I deathly afraid of flying... two takeoffs and two landings is a lot to handle. I *could* and will do it if necessary, but would rather not. Secondly, we're traveling with a high maintenance 4-year old who hasn't traveled before, so the less time we're on a plane the better.

I booked when flights first came out for our August trip. I paid 280.00 RT(140.00 each way) from Isp to Mco non-stop. Today I noticed the flight going down to Orlando is now a whopping $235.00 and coming home $271.00. Sooo glad I booked. I know there is always a chance flights will drop below the 140.00 each way but considering what SWA is asking now, I am ok with the price. Certainly not the $59.00 we used to get! We don't usually take advantage of credits because we only fly 1x a year but I can't resist checking flight prices out of curiosity. A few years back, I would barter my credits with my hair stylist. She'd get the credits, I'd get the haircuts. SWA no longer allows this.

I do know that if this upward trend continues, our future trips may turn into road trips! Prices are at a point where paying for 3 round trip flights won't be doable for the three of us. Not sure how much driving would cost from Long Island to Orlando so I guess I have some homework to do. In the meantime, we'll have to build up our reward points and fly every few years (we tend to use CC's sparingly for fear of falling into debt).

We're the same way. My husband loathes driving that far, but when we're looking at prices for flying five of us, the cost of driving looks better and better. For the first time ever, it costs just as much to take the train as it does to fly. I would totally do that, but unfortunately, there's something going on with one of the tracks and we can't find a train going for our dates.

 

[dramaticmissy]

Have you checked Alligent out of Youngstown, OH, about 60 miles out of Cleveland to Sanford/ Orlando runs about $199.00 round trip?
We fly Alligent into Sanford all the time, the money I save on Airfare and getting a car service is much more than what I spend on flying into MCO

 

[MushyMushy]

Have you checked Alligent out of Youngstown, OH, about 60 miles out of Cleveland to Sanford/ Orlando runs about $199.00 round trip?
We fly Alligent into Sanford all the time, the money I save on Airfare and getting a car service is much more than what I spend on flying into MCO

Looks like we could do it one way. Thanks for pointing that out. That could definitely save us a bit. I wish our dates were more flexible, but they're set in stone.

 

[tracydeech]

Looks like we could do it one way. Thanks for pointing that out. That could definitely save us a bit. I wish our dates were more flexible, but they're set in stone.

Only snag I see is no ME which seems to be very convenient if you are stayin onsite.

 

[went503]

I feel so bad for you guys. Im near DC and I can fly out of Dulles or Reagan National for $171 RT. I'm flying in sept out of Reagan for that price on JetBlue. But JB, and southwest both have those prices. Wish I could spread my good fortune your way.

 

[tracydeech]

I feel so bad for you guys. Im near DC and I can fly out of Dulles or Reagan National for $171 RT. I'm flying in sept out of Reagan for that price on JetBlue. But JB, and southwest both have those prices. Wish I could spread my good fortune your way.

See. Now that price is very reasonable! Maybe our airports will come to their senses soon! Congrats on great airfare

 

[dramaticmissy]

Only snag I see is no ME which seems to be very convenient if you are stayin onsite.

We have used and are using in May Town car Now which was 165 round trip to Port Orleans from Sanford and they even do a 30 grocery stop on the way to the resort for free saves us by getting bottled water and soda for in the room, a a box or 2 of cereal, 1/2 gallon of milk, granola bars, and fruit, which saves us on food and gives the kids healthy snacks in the room I see it as a win win

 

[kenly777]

The thing that kills me now a days is the fact that if you don't fly JetBlue or SW, you also have to pay extra for your bags! With a family, that's at least $100 each way added on So watch those United, Delta and AA fares.

 

[Greysword]

The thing that kills me now a days is the fact that if you don't fly JetBlue or SW, you also have to pay extra for your bags! With a family, that's at least $100 each way added on So watch those United, Delta and AA fares.

You pay for checked luggage on WN (Southwest) and B6 (JetBlue), as well. It is just included in the fare.

A major reason the legacy airlines continue to use the a la carte method of baggage fees is due to federal taxes. Fares are subject to additional taxation, while fees are not. Thus, an airline could bundle bag fees into the ticket price (like WN and B6), but it helps reduce overhead for the airlines by keeping them separate.

There are other reasons, as well, such as customer request (businesses prefer to have baggage fees separate to make the tickets lower for their frequent fliers) and the business models of the "low cost airlines", a name WN is growing out of (the main reason they keep baggage fees included in the fare is the perception of "free" bags in capturing and keeping market share of the general populous).

All that said, I have advice for the DIS Board population. Find out what airlines you generally fly on your annual pilgrimage to WDW and DLR. If it is a legacy airline (and some low cost airlines), look into their co-branded credit card. It will waive bag fees, permit earlier boarding, and provide additional ancillary benefits, making the annual fee worth the cost.

It really is a complicated pricing model, and each airline segment (low cost, legacy, charter, etc) has their own strategy based on the client base serviced. Just because bag fees may seem like "extra" cost, in the end they likely aren't.

*This defense of the airline industry is brought to you by.... *

 

[MushyMushy]

Only snag I see is no ME which seems to be very convenient if you are stayin onsite.

We typically use a car service anyway, so that wouldn't be such an issue.

This might be crazy, but we're now talking about flying Allegiant from Youngstown to MCO, then leaving a night early and renting a minivan to go back home. I found a minivan rental through Enterprise for a little over $30! Crazy because we're all going to be exhausted with a 4 year old who doesn't travel well. But if we travel through the night she *should* sleep. She'll sleep, right???

What's worse is, as soon as we get home from the Disney trip, DH and I have to turn right around and travel out of state for his job.

 

[Alice Sr.]

I paid over $700 last October (out of Chicago) so my DD could join me for the F & W Fest and that wasn't even non-stop on the return. Someone on the DIS mentioned that she buys SW as soon as the new dates are released. I would too if I were going back this year. You can always get a credit if the fares go down (on SW anyway). This year I booked Aulani non-stop for only $766, I'm pretty sure I am money ahead.

 

[Angela72181]

Do you have any Spirit / AirTran? We used Spirit last December 19-jan2 and scored round trip tickets for the hole family of 5 for $1000...sign up for bing alerts...that's what I did and I got an alert they dropped 31% and grabbed those quicker than quick!! We are going again this year and watching for spirit to open up our dates and well grab those

 

[buckeev]

SW is killing me! I was all set to change my flight this afternoon, but got sidetracked by that nasty thing called WORK!
Went back online this evening to discover a $67.00 price hike!
ARRRRRGGGGGGG!

 

[MushyMushy]

Just a little tip: After banging my head against a brick wall all day yesterday trying to find an affordable option for us, I glanced at the map and happened to see Tampa Bay Airport.

We found non-stop flights both ways and saved ourselves around $800 even with renting a car both ways to and from the airport. (full size car around $25 each way)

Might be worth a look to see if it can save you some money. I know you can't use ME there, but we never use it anyway.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Just a little tip: After banging my head against a brick wall all day yesterday trying to find an affordable option for us, I glanced at the map and happened to see Tampa Bay Airport.

We found non-stop flights both ways and saved ourselves around $800 even with renting a car both ways to and from the airport. (full size car around $25 each way)

Might be worth a look to see if it can save you some money. I know you can't use ME there, but we never use it anyway.

TPA is a great way to save money and its an easy drive. Once you have done it you will be hooked. The airport is so much more layed back. There is no hustle bustle there. You can drop off your rental car and be at your gate in 20 minutes!