Question about purchasing tickets one at time...

[MomRN]

I'm a travelling novice, so this may seem like a silly question.

I need to purchase 4 round-trip tickets for October. It will likely be through Southwest or Airtran (will Airtran still exist in October? Hasn't Southwest purchased them?) since it appears they are the only ones that fly non-stop Indy to Orlando.

I don't use credit cards, just debit. If using Southwest I would likely purchase early bird check in.

Is there any disadvantage to buying each person's ticket separate? Could it even be done with 2 adults/2 child (would an adult have to be purchased with each child?).

It would be easier for me to buy a ticket a paycheck (when released) than saving for them all at once. I also could purchase gift cards now to help apply toward the balance, but I read over the net the most one could use is 4 gift cards- 3 if you still have a remaining balance and need to pay the remaining.

Any insight? I hope my question is clear enough.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Gift cards are, or should be, different from the credits you're reading about. CALL Southwest and ask - but it's better to at least purchase two-and-two tickets together when you're traveling with children.

 

[dudspizza]

I would never purchase 1 ticket at a time. The price is going to change between tickets and flights do sell out. Personally, I wait until I have the money to purchase all of the tickets together. If you are looking at buying gift cards, why not just put the money away each pay check until you have enough to buy the tix?

Duds

 

[MomRN]

Gift cards are, or should be, different from the credits you're reading about. CALL Southwest and ask - but it's better to at least purchase two-and-two tickets together when you're traveling with children.

I read the southweat site and it stated: "Up to four southwestgiftcards can be applied toward one reservation. Our payment system limits the total forms of payment, so if the balance of the itinerary is more than the amount of all four gift cards, you will only be able to use three of your gift cards so that the balance can be paid with another form of payment that will cover the balance of the reservation (i.e. credit card). The following is our policy in regards to forms of payment: Southwest Airlines accepts up to two unused Ticketless Travel tickets per passenger (are always applied first) and up to four of the following in any combination: southwestgiftcards, Southwest LUV Vouchers, Ticketless Travel Funds (left over funds not previously used), and one credit card."

I would never purchase 1 ticket at a time. The price is going to change between tickets and flights do sell out. Personally, I wait until I have the money to purchase all of the tickets together. If you are looking at buying gift cards, why not just put the money away each pay check until you have enough to buy the tix?

Duds

That will likely be the way I handle it, but I was just wondering about purchasing them separate. I didn't consider the flight selling out. When we (my son and I) went in November our flight there wasn't full, but the flight back was completely booked. I knew there would be a reason I was overlooking. Thanks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I read the southweat site and it stated: "Up to four southwestgiftcards can be applied toward one reservation.

Well, one reservation to me means one reservation - whether one way or round trip. So four gift cards could, from what I see, purchase four round trips in four separate, consecutive or concurrent (open four browser windows and alternate among the four for each step) transactions.

 

[sam_gordon]

I would not do four separate reservations. There is a chance if a flight gets cancelled or somehow changed, different reservations could be put on different flights. I'd book at least two & two.

 

[MomRN]

Well, one reservation to me means one reservation - whether one way or round trip. So four gift cards could, from what I see, purchase four round trips in four separate, consecutive or concurrent (open four browser windows and alternate among the four for each step) transactions.

Ah-ha. I see what you did there. Good point, and the reason I asked this question. I've flown twice in the last 10 years, so it's these little details I forget about. Thanks.

I would not do four separate reservations. There is a chance if a flight gets cancelled or somehow changed, different reservations could be put on different flights. I'd book at least two & two.

That would at least increase the amount of gift cards that could be purchased to 6. However, I have to say it seems easier to just do it all in one transaction. I was also considering I could get gift cards a little off the price, or save on gas from my grocery store... but it wouldn't be worth the headache of us all to get separated. Thanks again.

 

[NotUrsula]

I wouldn't buy the tickets are widely differing times, because of the price differential and the possiblilty of selling out, but on SWA, at least, there isn't really a problem with buying them as seperate itineraries as long as you do it well in advance. I do it all the time when using FF credits to purchase tickets; you can call them afterward and have them consolidate all of the tickets onto one newly-numbered itinerary.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

I would buy the tickets at the same time, when you can afford it, and keep checking for the best rate daily (they do change frequently on SWA).

As for purchasing, I always purchase my out-going trip as one transaction, then my return as another, since SWA does not have special round-trip fares. I do this for more ease in changing my reservation. ie: a lower fare comes out, or I want to change the date/time, much easier just to change that leg.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I need to purchase 4 round-trip tickets for October. It will likely be through Southwest or Airtran (will Airtran still exist in October? Hasn't Southwest purchased them?) since it appears they are the only ones that fly non-stop Indy to Orlando.

I agree with what everybody else has said about purchasing tickets.

As far as Airtran, yes, Southwest bought them, but they are a long way from ceasing to be Airtran. Word is the purchase and all the logistics won't be completed until 2012.