PHL To MCO -- Oct $$$$$

[LISAVWL]

We just booked our room for 10/13-10/20 and I started looking at airfare -- YIKES! DH will only fly direct and from what I can tell, SW, USAIR & AirTran are the only carriers to do this from PHL. The prices are way $$$. Should I book now and deal with the $$$ or am I planning too far out, SW hasn't released those dates yet, and wait a while hoping the prices come down? We're new to this area, originally from CT, and never had a problem geting direct flights out of NYC so this is making me a bit nuts! TIA for any suggestions!

 

[Diz_knee62]

I've been waiting for SWA to publish flights beyond 5/10/07 as well. I called them earlier today and they said "keep checking every day this week", so I'm taking that as a hint that they're going to add the dates VERY soon.

 

[disprincesspatty]

I have been keeping an eye on the US Air fares for awhile and the lowest I have seen is $99 each way before taxes. Not sure what it is now. That is why we are flying out of BWI it tends to be cheaper, but most of the flights are not direct.

 

[shelly3girls]

Definitely wait! The most we ever paid on SW was $230 and that was traveling at Christmas. We have gone twice in Oct and paid $137 round trip this year. When I initially booked SW I paid $187 then was able to lower the price twice. SW refunded the money in full b/c I did not change the flight. Airtran also has sales usually the same price as SW but they only give you a flight credit not a refund and sometimes wave the $50 change fee but not guaranteed.

I think I remember booking Oct in May or June.

 

[DebbieB]

I would wait for Southwest.

 

[helenk]

I would wait for SW as well, generally once SW opens their dates USAir and Airtran both will lower their fares to be more competitive. That will give you more choices.

 

[alyssa810]

I would also wait for SW. If you're nervous about flights booking up, you could always book a flight as soon as your dates are available, and then just wait for a ding to rebook for a lower flight. SW's liberal cancellation policy has really spoiled me for other airlines...that and their prices are tough to beat, IMO!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I would go out of BWI if possible. They have 2 to 3 times more flights with more than half of them non-stop, especially in the summer months. I've also found better deals flying out of BWI on Southwest. Hope this helps.

 

[udsweetpea]

I go back and forth from Philly to Orlando a lot, and I always fly Air Tran. I can usually get a rate of $60 each way. Sign up to receive their emails as they usually have sales going on regularly.

 

[jennypenny]

Where are you located? Sometimes we fly out of Philly but most of the time we fly out of Atlantic City on Spirit Airlines. My FIL told me that Delta has a non stop to orlando out of AC now but I haven't checked.

Jenny

 

[LISAVWL]

I knew I came to the right place! I think I've been bitten by the "Disney planner" bug and thought I could get all this wrapped up early. I know I should wait for the SW dates to open but that won't be until May -- right? We're only 45 min outside of PHL so I thought that would be easiest but I should look into BWI & ACY. Thanks so much for all your help! Now I need to do some more research before booking!

 

[mrslur]

We're also AirTran fans. I'm waiting for a $59 -$69 each way fare to pop up for May.

 

[udsweetpea]

Lisa, I'm about 45 minutes from the airport too. I'm in Exton.. where are you?

 

[Michelina]

We're also AirTran fans. I'm waiting for a $59 -$69 each way fare to pop up for May.

Me too! I've never paid more than $160 RT from PHL. We've flown out of BWI before but the parking there was always horrendous.
I'm thinking that for October sale fares you may need to wait til around July or August?

 

[zurgswife]

We fly out of Philly to Orlando a few times a year and I've paid $49, $59 and $79 for my last few trips....I did 7 people in Aug for $798. I definatley would wait it out....I'm waiting for aug right now and I'm hoping for $59 to $79

 

[LISAVWL]

Lisa, I'm about 45 minutes from the airport too. I'm in Exton.. where are you?

we're in Chester Springs, nice to meet you neighbor!!!



so, looks like I join the waiting game for lower fares to be released. Big thanks to everyone for the information! DH will be so pleased that I saved some $$$ !

 

[NJDad18]

I too would wait for the SW rates, but also check Spirit which flies out of Atlantic City. It's a small airport that's easy to get in and out of.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Definitely wait for SW. They have many non-stops from PHL. When we went end of Sept to beginning of Oct. we got Dings for $44 each way! Since we had already bought as soon as the date were released,(for the "outrageous price of $79 Lol!) we had a huge credit to apply to our Feb. flights.
Be patient and forget USAirways. In our 9 trips to MCO, we've never found Spirit to beat SW prices either. Never used AirTran so I can say anything there. I also like the fact that SW doesn't charge a change fee. Great customer service too!

 

[Eeyore's Queen]

I agree with everyone else. Wait for SW to come out with their rates. I live in West Grove (Southern Chester County) now but grew up in Glenmoore. If I don't find the flights I want out of Philly, I fly out of Baltimore. It's is only an extra 15 minutes for us now. I have to say, it is a much nicer airport than PHilly is too. Just my opinion. It is always good to meet people from Chester County.

 

[jennypenny]

Be patient and forget USAirways. In our 9 trips to MCO, we've never found Spirit to beat SW prices either.

This is true but you have to look at the whole picture. It only costs $5 per day to park at the AC airport. And even though it's 25 minutes farther to drive than Philly, it's an easy on/off, no horrendous security lines, convenient parking, the plane never has to wait for a gate, assigned seats, etc, etc.

Plus I end up spending money during the inevitable wait time in Philly. I think our overall *transit* time is much less even though the AC airport is farther away.

Either way, don't book your flights yet. Start looking over the summer.

Jenny