Question for all you Philly Flyers

[momoftwins]

we just move to PA from MA. We use to fly out of Providence to Orlando using Southwest. I cannot remember ever not gettng an awesome rate.

So, is SWA the way to go out of Philly or is someone else a better. I use DING to keep up to date on fares out of PHL for SWA, but nothing! Plenty of flights from Providence though - go figure.

Oh, last question. What is the best place to park at the airport and any coupons for the parking?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Wendaeh]

Hi -- don't know how much I can help you...but first, with DING! -- I think you may need to reset your preferences. when I get DING fares, they are only out of Philly, because that is my home airport....I don't get them from anywhere else.

Also, we've used Airtran from Philly -- last Dec we got $49 each way from them to Orlando. Good luck!

Wendy

 

[momoftwins]

Thanks! My Ding is set for PHL. Airtran might be a good option, I've never flown with them!

 

[crl]

Have you thought about using Jet Blue out of Newark? We always check both airports. This time we are using Jet Blue out of Newark. We got the park and fly rate at Best Western. So for $20 more than the airport parking, we are getting a room the night before and breakfast in the morning.

 

[going2disney]

Keep watching for a Ding! -if you have enough time. We flew last fall out of Philly and paid $135 total roundtrip after getting a Ding! We have flown other years on Airtran from Philly with good rates. As far as parking, two years ago we used Winner parking service and it was a good deal, I'm not sure of the exact cost but it was just under $100 for the week, their lot is close to the airport and they handle your luggage, valet you to the airport in your own vehicle and drop your vehicle off at the terminal on your return. They were helpful and efficient. This past year we used the budget airport parking and it cost a little more than the valet service. The process ended up being a lot more time consuming- slow running shuttles and lugging all of our luggage on/ off shuttles wasn't so easy, I swear the shuttle driver took off while people were still loading bags. I would definately use the parking service next time we fly out of Philly. Good luck!

 

[tedhowe]

When we fly from PHL it is usually Southwest or AirTran. Sometimes USAirways will actually have better fares, but I've all but given up on them... lousy service, the smallest space between rows, etc.

One thing we've found is to check PHL to TPA (Tampa). We've found that sometimes airfares to Tampa are cheaper, and you can often get very creative to save money. This is especially true if you are renting a car.

Our last trip to WDW in April of '05 we flew PHL to MCO on AirTran, picked up a rental car at National, then drove the rental to TPA, dropped it off and flew TPA back to PHL on Southwest. We saved money on both legs of the trip (the two airlines opposite legs were more expensive) and the rental was cheaper at MCO at that point than Tampa.

Ted

 

[iluvepcot]

There used to be many more dings from PHL. I have flown 4 times on dings from PHL. I have never flown for more than the $59 ding. It seems they are forgetting about PHL. I have never cut it this close waiting for a ding. We are flying sometime the week before or after Pres weekend. Just waiting for the ding and then I'll decide how to narrow my hotel rooms. We are due. I am glued to the computer but don't get ding at work. Thank God for History of Ding thread,. pixie dust to you and me.

 

[disneyfreak71]

There are many airport choices from this area depending on where you live. Alantic City has an airport, Reading, of course PHL(Horrible in my opinion).

Reading(Allentown) has Allegiant Air
AC has Spirit
PHL has Airtran, Southwest, and many more.


We are flying tomorrow with a 59 per person each way rate. There has not been a Philly to MCO ding for a while now.

As fr parking at PHL, we use AMPCO. They have indoor and outdoor. They have an online coupon for $1 off and if you have AAA you can get another $1 off. There shuttles are quick and reliable.

 

[disneyfreak71]

For those of you that do not get ding at work but have the internet...

http://ding.southwest.com/cgi-bin/s...&cksum=1200630242575447&os=WinXP&version=1.00

http://ding.southwest.com/cgi-bin/s...ksum=1200630242575447&os=Win2000&version=1.00

The first link is for windows xp and the second is for windows 2000.
If those do not load, copy and paste into the address line. If there is an active ding, a lot more script will be on the page. It will tell you the times and everything. Just copy and paste the black line under neath where the times are shown all the way upto the numbers. This is already set up for PHL.


EDITED INFO
The links do work!!!

 

[pamjb]

Here is a thread with the parking alternatives at PHL

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1242099

 

[momoftwins]

This is why I love Diser's. You guys rock!

 

[NJDad18]

We park at Pacifico Parking. You drive your car to their lot. They drive you, in your car to the airport and then drive the car back to the lot. When you get back to PHL, get your luggage and then call Pacifico and they will come and pick you up and drive back to Pacifico where you drop the guy off and pay your bill. It can't be any easier. There is also a coupon on the internet for Pacifico.

 

[iluvepcot]

Thank you for the link. I tried it today at work and saw there is a ding but I don't see any times for Philly. thank you thank

 

[DeadHead]

I would suggest Airtran from Philly, there fares are normally cheaper than USAIRWAYS and I found the service to be much better. I was a lifelong USAIRWAYS flyer with numerous miles, Airtran is more reliable on departures from PHL than US. Can't help you on parking since I live three minutes from the airport in Philly. Welcome the Philly area

 

[dsnymomof4]

We fly Airtran also - have had rates from $49-99 each way. We've also used Ampco for parking - it was much better than parking at the airport becuase they pick you up at your car and take you right to your terminal. With the airport shuttle, you have to walk to the nearest pickup, then stop at all of the terminals - takes much longer. Welcome to the area!

 

[iluvepcot]

this is what i get when i click on your link. Can you tell me how to see the times and flights? Also, how do I use this to book a flight?

getMessagesResponse>
<status>0</status>
- <headlines>
- <!-- HEADLINES //
-->
- <headline id="2096176">
<type>offer</type>
<activationFeatured>Y</activationFeatured>
<expirationFeatured>Y</expirationFeatured>
<priority>1</priority>
<activationNewDelta>-9875</activationNewDelta>
<activationOldDelta>-1325</activationOldDelta>
<expirationDelta>7225</expirationDelta>
<deactivationDelta>7225</deactivationDelta>
<activationText>Morning Specials, See What We're Cooking Up! Click here to purchase by 4:00 PM CST, January 19, 2007.</activationText>
<expirationText>Morning Specials, See What We're Cooking Up! Click here to purchase by 4:00 PM CST, January 19, 2007.</expirationText>
<activationUrl>http://www.southwest.com/cgi-bin/systray?action=getHeadlineDetail&installId=0042336001539971&cksum=1200630242575447&headlineId=2096176&src=sta_offer_2096176</activationUrl>
<expirationUrl />
</headline>
- <!-- HEADLINES //
-->
</headlines>
<appUpdates />
</getMessagesResponse

 

[CPT Tripss]

If USAir is the cheapest by only a few bucks, opt for the next to the cheapest airline. USAir luggage service stinks in PHL - they keep promising improvements, but they stilll have their management problems with their labor force.

 

[HelenePA]

I flew with USair last year when I went to new orleans they were the cheapest by far... this year I got great rates going to orlando with SW. I did have trouble with USair for our return trip from N.O. our flight was not listed on the board I got freaked out. I tried to ask the lady what gate... she flipped out on me for some reason. "go look at the board its up there! I dont have time to answer your silly questions. I have other things to do. I dont have time for this!" umm no lady its not listed. Anyway... they were fine until I found that plesent person. Maybe she was just having a bad day... anyway... when we parked we used http://www.avistarparking.com/Philly.aspx they do have coupons on their page we had no trouble with them at all. We parked at sunpark. (because it was the first one we found I must admit I did no research on parking before we went! oops!!)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We love SWA and have used them the last few times we flew. Our last 2 trips we got $44 each way to MCO.
For some reason there haven't been many PHL-MCO dings lately. I've been patiently waiting for one for our cruise but I don't think it will happen in time.
Personally, I would still stick with SWA even if AirTran matched their price. I like being able to change flights without any fee. I like saving up credits for our next trip and even if I can't use them in 1 yr. I can get a 6 mo. extension voucher and use that online too.
Last but not least, their customer service is great and it really is a nice change from the miserable faces at USAirways.
As for parking, if it's just our family we go to the Economy Lot which is $9 per day. (Don't know of any coupons but will check out) There's a bus that takes everyone back to the terminals.
If we travel with others, we get a limo and split the cost. It ends up being about $30 more than parking (2 cars) and really is fun.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

If USAir is the cheapest by only a few bucks, opt for the next to the cheapest airline. USAir luggage service stinks in PHL - they keep promising improvements, but they stilll have their management problems with their labor force.

ITA!!!!!
They've lost luggage on the last 2 trips we took with them.