Post all SW questions concerns, etc. here...

[Iowamomof4]

They have 2 different spots on their website. They aren't always in sync...

https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-tools/index.html?int=
https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html?clk=GSUBNAV-AIR-SCHEDULES

So you believe the May 19th date is the correct one? That's fantastic!

 

[DisDadDVC]

So you believe the May 19th date is the correct one? That's fantastic!

Yes. The page that shows May is usually updated first. June was the original date.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Yes. The page that shows May is usually updated first. June was the original date.

Thank you for your helpful response! Much appreciated!

 

[Iowamomof4]

New question: We are looking to book a flight the Monday after Thanksgiving. Normally, when SW releases new fares, the first day is NOT the best price for our airport (DSM - Des Moines). I've noticed the prices begin to drop a few weeks later. Will that be different though, since we're traveling during more of a holiday period? Should I plan to book the first day because it's more in demand? Or will things follow the pattern I've been seeing over the last few months? I know you can get credit if the price of your flight drops, but we are NOT frequent flyers (this will be our first flight since 2003 or so) so the credit really wouldn't do us any good.

Thank you! It's okay if my question just doesn't have a good answer. I understand it may be impossible to predict what will happen.

 

[DisDadDVC]

New question: We are looking to book a flight the Monday after Thanksgiving. Normally, when SW releases new fares, the first day is NOT the best price for our airport (DSM - Des Moines). I've noticed the prices begin to drop a few weeks later. Will that be different though, since we're traveling during more of a holiday period? Should I plan to book the first day because it's more in demand? Or will things follow the pattern I've been seeing over the last few months? I know you can get credit if the price of your flight drops, but we are NOT frequent flyers (this will be our first flight since 2003 or so) so the credit really wouldn't do us any good.

Thank you! It's okay if my question just doesn't have a good answer. I understand it may be impossible to predict what will happen.

I fly to MCO every Thanksgiving. Here is my experience:

1) The day fares are posted, there often aren't any WGA fares for Sunday returns.
2) Flights TO MCO on Tues/Wed are usually fairly low, and don't tend to go much lower. I always book these on Day 1
3) About a month later, some WGA fares will get released for Sunday. It will usually be the worst times, and still kinda high ($300-350).
4) Since I usually book with points, I will just go ahead and book one of the WGA fares to have SOMETHING.
5) 100% of the time, those fares have gone down and all times became available as WGA as we got closer to Thanksgiving. I have even re-fared the day before flying back home ($208).

Bottom line, Sunday return will never be "cheap". But it tends to start out high and go lower.

 

[wdwrule]

Unfortunately no - Early Bird must be paid for with a credit card

Bummer! Thanks though!

 

[squirrelsquad]

I'm flying from New Hampshire to MCO and today was the cheaper I saw at $708 for two round trip tickets for Sept. 30 to Oct. 8. I don't remember ever paying this much previously. Should I wait to book or is this as good as I am gonig to get?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm flying from New Hampshire to MCO and today was the cheaper I saw at $708 for two round trip tickets for Sept. 30 to Oct. 8. I don't remember ever paying this much previously. Should I wait to book or is this as good as I am gonig to get?

From looking at the fare calendar it looks like you could potentially save up to $20 on the way there and save up to $90 on the way home per ticket if prices come down. (Basically I'm looking at other Fridays and Saturdays slightly earlier than your dates to see what they cost). For your flight there you are pretty close to the lowest Friday price on the calendar. For the flight home you are basically at the highest Saturday price on the calendar.

So...if all worked out in your favor you could save a total of $220 by waiting. Of course you could also end up paying more if something goes wrong. Nobody can accurately predict what will happen to your prices but the facts I see suggest you could save a little on the way there and a lot on the way home if you waited. The question you need to ask is if the risk of paying more is worth it. You could also purchase only a one-way there for right now and wait on the flight home. Or if you have enough points you could use points and then rebook and save the points anytime.

 

[RLGNC]

I am keeping my eye on prices for airfare from RDU (Raleigh-Durham, NC) to MCO for early August. (Currently planning on driving, but would prefer to fly if the price is right. ) Best I have been able to find since I've been checking is about $1100 for 4 RT (so about $275 RT per person). Has anyone else flown from RDU and is this a "good" fare, or is there hope that a better price might be offered in the next couple of months?

Thank you!

 

[squirrelsquad]

From looking at the fare calendar it looks like you could potentially save up to $20 on the way there and save up to $90 on the way home per ticket if prices come down. (Basically I'm looking at other Fridays and Saturdays slightly earlier than your dates to see what they cost). For your flight there you are pretty close to the lowest Friday price on the calendar. For the flight home you are basically at the highest Saturday price on the calendar.

So...if all worked out in your favor you could save a total of $220 by waiting. Of course you could also end up paying more if something goes wrong. Nobody can accurately predict what will happen to your prices but the facts I see suggest you could save a little on the way there and a lot on the way home if you waited. The question you need to ask is if the risk of paying more is worth it. You could also purchase only a one-way there for right now and wait on the flight home. Or if you have enough points you could use points and then rebook and save the points anytime.

Thank you so much for your input!

 

[sandam1]

I've been price watching for our late September trip. The flights started around $120 each way and then spiked to $145 on the way down and as high as $212 on the way back. The return came down to $145 today - woohoo! - and I think I'm ready to pull the trigger. But I recently noticed that I can buy Southwest gift cards through Target on-line. Has anyone ever bought and used these before? Do they work like the Disney gift cards (i.e. do you get the 5% off)?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thank you so much for your input!

You're welcome - I'll cross my fingers that whatever way you go works out best. I've waited and won and waited and gotten burned and despite flying literally dozens of times on Southwest over the past 10 years or so I still can't figure out a rhyme or reason to why the prices move the way they do.

 

[jerseygal]

ANOTHER SW point drop this morning for our DS May flight, 1,729 points! REALLY PAYS to monitor the points once booked, only takes a minute to check flight. Booked flight 3rd week of February and since February SEVERAL point decreases, total cumulative point decrease from booking till today is 6,130 points, major hub Newark-Orlando, that's significant! UPDATE. just snagged $10, each $30 total, hey why not, for a reduction in revenue paying ticket also. Already had a reduction of $14 each a month ago. NICE to use $24 per person credit for a future trip! HOPE someone else has some SW credits or point reductions today also!

 

[Anal Annie]

June 2nd

FYI, this was changed to May 19, 2016:

"We are currently accepting air reservations through November 4, 2016. On May 19, 2016 we will open our schedule for sale through January 4, 2017. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently."

Just the answer I came here to find (SW extension date!!) Any thoughts on if this is the best pricing day to book or should I just start watching then (BWI to MCO)? I want flights in January for Jan. 3rd and JetBlue is out already for my originating flight but I don't like the one & only direct time they have so I'd prefer SW. We're returning on the 9th so I still have to wait to book our return. Such a hassle when your travel dates span 2 releases....

We are out of town picking up our son / moving him out of college dorm on May 19th so not the best day to try to price shop.

 

[jerseygal]

Just the answer I came here to find (SW extension date!!) Any thoughts on if this is the best pricing day to book or should I just start watching then (BWI to MCO)? I want flights in January for Jan. 3rd and JetBlue is out already for my originating flight but I don't like the one & only direct time they have so I'd prefer SW. We're returning on the 9th so I still have to wait to book our return. Such a hassle when your travel dates span 2 releases....

We are out of town picking up our son / moving him out of college dorm on May 19th so not the best day to try to price shop.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[mom2elle]

I'm also anxiously awaiting the May release. We are planning to head to WDW either Dec 30 or 31, retuning Jan7th. We were planning dec 31, but I am starting to panic thinking flights might be crazy $$, since it's NYE, and a Saturday. But I'm not sure if flying on the 30th would make much of a difference. Any thoughts?
(Flying Philly to MCO).

 

[Anal Annie]

I'm also anxiously awaiting the May release. We are planning to head to WDW either Dec 30 or 31, retuning Jan7th. We were planning dec 31, but I am starting to panic thinking flights might be crazy $$, since it's NYE, and a Saturday. But I'm not sure if flying on the 30th would make much of a difference. Any thoughts?
(Flying Philly to MCO).

Just quickly looking at JetBlue from Philly (which only offers 1 flight so not a big city for them) and the one-way is $192 on Sat. vs $173 on Friday. Their flights on both Fri & Sat. from BWI are $115. How far would it be for you to drive to BWI? I don't think there will be a huge price diff. between Fri. & Sat. for you....but you might be able to find a cheaper city....

 

[mom2elle]

Ah I should have mention we have SW points, hopefully enough to get us 3-4 of the flights down. I had not looked at Jet Blue before, I guess since they are not big in Philly. That could be an interesting option for another trip!
Round trip on american was $275 when I checked a week ago, so I am hoping we can get SW for that.
(There are 6 of us so the flight costs add up fast).

 

[FBandA]

Question, how is luggage handled when returning home with ME and SW. Do I need to take my luggage on the bus I have a 9:30am flight?

 

[Anal Annie]

Question, how is luggage handled when returning home with ME and SW. Do I need to take my luggage on the bus I have a 9:30am flight?

SW participates in the DME luggage service provided you drop it off with bell services EARLY that morning - although with a 9:30 am flight you'll be on a pretty early bus (3 hours ahead of your flight). We usually try to fly with just carry-ons so I'm not as familiar with the checking process but I think you have to check it in and get it weighed and tagged with the airline tagging AT bell services that morning. You will bring your carry-on luggage with you on the bus.