Question for seasoned flyers

[annie1995]

Am I doomed for really expensive airfare because we are flying out on the friday right before Labor day? We are currently looking at Southwest, Spirit, or Airtran. I have no experience flying that close to a holiday. Thanks for any advice!!!

 

[safetymom]

No you should be able to find something reasonable. Just keep watching the fares and when they drop to a level you can live with book them. Don't hesitate or they be gone.

 

[annie1995]

Whew thanks!! We've always been lucky with 99 dollar fares, so I think I'd go into shock having to pay upwards of 150 or so

 

[safetymom]

I am not sure where you are coming from but $99 fares don't come along very often. $150 fare is quite reasonable.

 

[annie1995]

We fly out of Flint Michigan on Airtran. We have never paid more then 99. This last September we paid 67!! But with that being said, we've always have flown in mid September. The only thing I have found so far is for $187.

 

[MrMarv]

Airfares have exploded thanks to the skyrocketing price of airline fuel and gasoline for most of the airlines out there, so keep an eye on Southwest's website for their frquent airfare sales in which they essentially 'fly you for peanuts' to many of their destinations.

 

[CarolA]

Whew thanks!! We've always been lucky with 99 dollar fares, so I think I'd go into shock having to pay upwards of 150 or so

You may be doomed. Airfares are up... You may get lucky, but it's a holday weekend so that reduces your chances;. IMHO I wouldn't get too greedy on that, but it's really probably too early to book Sept.

 

[Detailor]

I'd suggest that, in light of the higher cost structure heavily influenced by fuel prices, you might want to adjust your $150 ceiling level upward a bit - a $225 base price might be more reasonable. And then keep looking for the deals from some of those airlines that are trying to fill seats that might give you friendlier pricing.
We're generally happy with anything around $200 using JetBlue out of Burlington, Vermont, or Boston to Orlando and anything at $200 or less flying Southwest out of Manchester, New Hampshire - particularly if they're non-stop flights.
safetymom's suggestion that you not hesitate when you find a price that you can live with is really the key. I don't know if it's real or just my perception, but it seems as if the airlines are offering fewer seats than they ever have at the lower prices when they open up a "sale."

Dick Taylor

 

[frannn]

booking the fare right when it comes out. We waited one year for a trip around President's Day, and ended up paying 400/pp. If the fares are decent when they first come out, and you can get a credit for a future flight if they decrease, you may wish to book the introductory fare. When you mention a 99 flight, do you mean each way? I'm not saying this is a good thing, but with people so fearful of a recession, maybe tourism will drop, causing Disney to slow up on their price hikes, and maybe some good airfare (although I know the rising cost of gas will keep the fares up there somewhat).

 

[snowbunny]

Flew on Airtran (not to MCO) this past Labor Day weekend - $69 fare, same as web fares available on most other days.