Rates on Southwest for Jan

[Tigger&Belle]

I'm planning a trip to Orlando for January and am surprised that the rates for SW are as high as what they are. For my upcoming Dec trip, a trip in September, and a trip this last Feb I was able to get cheaper fares on certain days of the week. I'm not finding that for the Jan trip.

Does anyone have an idea if cheaper rates will be coming out? I know that you all are not mind readers.

For these past flights it has been cheaper to fly on Sat/Tues/Wed and I'm not finding that this time (and it's not as if the cheaper flights are sold out).

Thanks, T&B

 

[travelin' tigger]

I ended up booking my early Feb. airfare earlier this week to lock in the times I wanted. But like you, I was surprised about the lack of reduced internet fares - especially when they were first posted. Usually there's a great internet rate which gets scooped up in the first few hours.

The only thing I can attribute it to is the rising cost of fuel. Also, I think we all got spoiled over the summer with the cheap airfares ($49 each way for me) so we're shocked when $79 seems expensive.

At least now that I'm booked, I'll be surprised and happy if and when a airfare sale happens!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I don't know about Janurary but we were thinking about an impromptu trip this weekend and I was shocked to see flights for today for our family of four would have been more than $1200 (though that was still the best rate around)!! Decided to try again for mid December when the rates are half that. We were also spoiled this summer when we got the $49 each way fare. I am still sticking with SWA, though because a) we have a $240 credit from when they credited us the difference when sale fares came out after we'd already booked, b) the fact that they're flexible if you have to change or if a better price comes out after booking and c) most of their flights are nonstop. It'll be even better if they change the seating policy as they're talking about. At least you know if you book it now and a better price comes out you can get the better price as long as seats are available (just check daily). Good Luck!

P.S. I've noticed before your Mom is going on her first trip - good for her!! We've invited my 79yo mother several times and she doesn't want to go. I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I think that I paid $59/each way for my Dec trip and it would be $79 each way for January. It ends up really not being much of a difference, because going in January I'm not flexible with my days like I was for the Dec trip so the way down would be $79 even if discounted fares come out later. Only two of us are going so it's not as if I need to multiply the difference by 6 like I usually need to do.

My next question was going to be SW's policy of the price drops, but I think it was pretty much answered. Does the price have to drop by a certain amount to get the credit or can it be gotten for any drop. How long does a person have to use the credit?

Pea-n-Me, I'm so excited about the trip with my mom! My only regret is that we didn't do it sooner and I don't know why it never occured to me. I don't think she wanted to suggest it because she didn't want to impose on my family and I guess I just didn't think of it. This trip will just be me, my 4yo, my sister, and our mom, so we'll mainly be doing things that our mom can do. The good news is that she's pretty adventurous so it will be fun.

That's good that you decided to wait until December to go to WDW--I saw your other thread when you were considering this weekend. Where are you going to stay?

T&B

 

[Sammy]

Tigger:

$79 ea way?? I would LOVE to get that rate for my Feb trip right now! I've also been one of the lucky ones to get $49 rates for previous trips, but right now the cheapest I can find on SWA is $139 going to MCO and $187 coming back!!

We are going on a cruise out of Port Canaveral, so unfortunately we are not very flexible with dates this time around. I REALLY hope these rates come down...!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Sammy, yikes, your rates do seem high! I remember either the first or second time flying to WDW with my family and paying $180/ticket RT and thinking that was an ok price (and that was for 5-6 people, depending on which trip it was) so I really shouldn't be complaining now all these years later to be paying $160RT. Still, wouldn't we all love to be saving $, in spite of all we're spending going to WDW!

I hope you're able to get cheaper fares!

T&B

 

[travelin' tigger]

Sammy:

The only reason I can think that your's is so high is either it's Superbowl weekend (in Jacksonville this year) or you're going over Presidents week when the school kids are on vacation.

Just keep checking as their rates can change at any time!!!

 

[crazywig]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
Does the price have to drop by a certain amount to get the credit or can it be gotten for any drop. How long does a person have to use the credit?

you can get a credit for any drop. i booked $79ea way for january 22-28th the day they extended the schedule. about 2wks ago they had it on sale for $69 so i modified my reservation and got $60 credit.

the credit is good for 1 yr from the day you originally purchased the ticket, not from the day you got the credit.

hth!

 

[Sammy]

Originally posted by travelin' tigger
Sammy:

The only reason I can think that your's is so high is either it's Superbowl weekend (in Jacksonville this year) or you're going over Presidents week when the school kids are on vacation.

Just keep checking as their rates can change at any time!!!

Actually, it's neither! We are traveling Feb 26th through Mar 6th. We can be flexible one day on either end, but that's about it. I can't believe the fares are so high. I'm hoping that JetBlue out of Boston will come down after their current fare sale ends on 11/10. I've become fanatical about checking the airline sites at least once per day...although I usually check twice! We have to purchase 5 tix, so I am soooo hoping for a break.

 

[EmptyNester]

Originally posted by Sammy
Actually, it's neither! We are traveling Feb 26th through Mar 6th. We can be flexible one day on either end, but that's about it. I can't believe the fares are so high. I'm hoping that JetBlue out of Boston will come down after their current fare sale ends on 11/10. I've become fanatical about checking the airline sites at least once per day...although I usually check twice! We have to purchase 5 tix, so I am soooo hoping for a break.

My sister and BIL are traveling for a cruise those same dates and are having the same problem with airfare (but they're sailing from Tampa)
The first weekend is the end of school winter break here in Maine - I wonder if that is having an impact on the fares?

- Sharon

 

[antmaril]

I'm paying $162 each for one way tickets the day before our Wonder cruise in February. We are returning on Spirit. I had a $400 credit on SW which I wanted to use, so I went ahead and booked four one way tickets at $162 each! The $99 fare was taken within hours (if not minutes) of becoming available. I booked the first day, but, of course, timing is everything. I've been checking daily to see if those fares will come down, but so far, no luck!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I looked again tonight at SW and all of the $79 fares are gone for the day we most likely want to leave. It's not like I've been procrastinating getting the tickets because I have to make sure that my 11yo is not going to miss a final math exam that he needs to take before leaving (end of the marking period for the first semester). Hopefully more tickets will open up or I will go with another airlines.

T&B

 

[Pea-n-Me]

T&B - don't give up on SWA, keep checking. I checked for weeks before I was able to get better fares (outbound and inbound seperately as seats became available). I read after my own experience (so never got to test it out) that the best time to check for availability is after MN - that's when ressies on hold expire. Worth a try?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I'll keep checking the fares and times. One flight that showed no availability yesterday had it today. I hope my son's teacher will get back to me soon as to which days he shouldn't miss so I can go ahead and decide on the dates and get the tickets. I don't like the waiting game!

T&B

 

[kmermaid]

Pea-n-Me:

Regarding your statement: "check for availability after MN". What does "MN" mean?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by kmermaid
Pea-n-Me:

Regarding your statement: "check for availability after MN". What does "MN" mean?

Took me a minute to figure that out, too... MN= midnight.

T&B

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sorry guys, the nurse in me sometimes forgets to cool it on the abbreviations outside of work, lol!!

Yes, check them after midnight...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Well I knew that I was visiting MN so it must not have been a postal abbreviation. LOL

Just found out when my 11yo's final exam will be and it will be in Thursday, so we'll be able to leave that evening. Good news since it will be easier to get a Thursday flight than a Friday flight. Then we'll return on Tuesday after 5 full days of fun!!!

T&B

 

[Pea-n-Me]

T&B - awesome!! You must be so excited!!

We are now thinking about January also and making it Santa's present to the kids.