Pros & Cons of flying two airlines?

[dreamsofdisney]

Hi!

Looking for advice on flying two different airlines to and from MCO. It doesn't seem like it should be a problem, but we've never done it, and I feel like I've heard stories of mix-ups or other issues...

We're flying down from Connecticut (BDL) in October and I was expecting to see lower fares than our usual February or April break prices. Unfortunately, both Southwest and JetBlue are showing pretty high fares each way...especially since we'd prefer not to have a 6am flight or not to switch planes. (We're travelling with a 4-year-old with Autism and medical needs, and we'd prefer as few transitions as possible.)

Our dates are Thursday, 10/10 thru Saturday 10/19. I know that we're flying down right before a holiday weekend, but not only are the prices a little high, there are only a few non-stop options. We're thinking about Southwest heading down and JetBlue coming home. Any thoughts or experiences to share? TIA!

 

[seashoreCM]

The difference really applies to two one way tickets versus one round trip ticket on either the same or different airlines.

If two one ways are cheaper, then feel free to book that way.

The main disadvantage of the one ways is that if the outgoing trip got cancelled and you were entitled to a refund and took that, you would not be able to cancel the return trip and get a refund.

Now if you were to book four individual tickets, one per segment instead of one round trip (connecting flights each way) then its a whole new horse of a different colored story. Here, if the third flight got in to the connection point late and you missed the fourth then you are out of luck.

 

[Junebugwv]

We've traveled one-way in and out of MCO on different airlines and have never had a problem. If I can arrange one-way flights, I prefer to do so, or I purchase travel insurance. If I have to change the date (I care for my DM92), the change fee and new ticket price are more affordable for a one-way flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

I also prefer to book each leg on it's own. Much easier to track any changes that way. So no, there won't be any issue booking with two different airlines.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

In Feb I flew SWA down and United home with no issues at all!. If the price is great I see NO issues in doing this. You will be fine

 

[tjmw2727]

I fly one way all the time, never had an issue because of it. FWIW, even when I use the same airline I book two one way trips unless the r/t fare is significantly cheaper.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Since SW has cut back on their direct flights, I now fly USair to MCO and the last SW flight back. I also booked a trip to San Francisco with USair there and Virgin back. The times and the cost were better this way. You'll be fine. I have never had a problem and no confusion doing this.

 

[n2mm]

we are fans of flying 2 different airlines. It just doesn't really matter. We use to fly SW down and Jetblue home. sometimes we fly United down out of Dulles and Jetblue home into Reagan. We just choose the best times and best prices. Though I do love Jetblue, flying out of Reagan for the departure flights mid-week are a pain because of dealing with rush hour traffice to Reagan. We often get a ride to Dulles.

 

[RAD]

As others have said, if the pricing and schedule works out for you then no reason not to use seperate airlines. Last year we use SWA outbound and JB return, no problems either way.

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies!

We might end up splitting between SWA & JetBlue since the number of direct flights has gone down so much...and prices have gone up! I just missed booking a great rate for a direct flight, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that another one comes up.

 

[DebbieB]

One advantage of a round trip with a legacy airline like United is if you cancel you will only be hit with one change fee.

 

[leebee]

One advantage of a round trip with a legacy airline like United is if you cancel you will only be hit with one change fee.

No change fees on Southwest! Also, Southwest lets you take two suitcases free, and JetBlue lets you take one suitcase at no charge. Something to consider...

We often split airlines, taking one outbound and a different airline on the return. No different than using the same airline for both. We purchase whatever is cheapest within our travel parameters (date, times, etc.).

 

[airplanegod]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies!

We might end up splitting between SWA & JetBlue since the number of direct flights has gone down so much...and prices have gone up! I just missed booking a great rate for a direct flight, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that another one comes up.

I hear ya. I fly out of BDL all the time, including non-Disney trips. The nonstop flights to Orlando on Jetblue and Southwest are now few and expensive. I wish Delta would start that route up again yearly, when all three were doing BDL to MCO the prices were dirt cheap.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

As another individual pointed out, the biggest risk is if your flight down is cancelled due to a major event (i.e. hurricane) and you cancel your trip down versus taking the next available flight. In this scenario, the departing airline will most likely refund your fare (even on a non-refundable) due to the event, but the later flight home has no obligation and will most likely not refund you and if with a legacy airline, impose change/cancel fees.