Reminder: SW Schedule for Oct Releases Tomorrow

[cbsnyber1]

To all traveling in October flying SW: fares through Nov 2 released tomorrow. We're traveling Oct 4 from PIT so am hoping they have a few better choices than I now see. Only one non-stop each way, 6:00 AM down, 7:15 PM back, all others with one stop, plane change, and over double the flight time. We're using points so we're pretty much locked into using SW.

I don't know how fares are on other routes, but since the last schedule release SW fares from PIT have not moved much at all in either direction. Right now the lowest are $222 plus tax each way. If they stay there I'm booking immediately - fuel prices don't seem to be dropping, and I can't see fares dropping unless demand really falls.

 

[mieuxmew]

Do you know what time the rates will be going live to book?

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I wonder if the early summer rates will go down tomorrow when they release the new dates?

 

[cbsnyber1]

Do you know what time the rates will be going live to book?

In my experience they update around 11:00 AM central time. But I have read on the boards that they sometimes have updated early - like 6:00 AM central.

Every time I have tracked schedule changes the 11 AM updates were on a Sunday. I do not know about week day update times.

I will be on my PC by 7:00 AM tomorrow to check. If nothing is there by 7:30 I'll check back around noon (I'm in EST).

 

[living20057]

I'm hoping the prices will be less than what they are now $300 roundtrip from DC is expensive. Jet Blue has roundtrip rates for $185 , but I want to use my southwest points.

 

[Jestocost]

In my experience they update around 11:00 AM central time. But I have read on the boards that they sometimes have updated early - like 6:00 AM central.

Every time I have tracked schedule changes the 11 AM updates were on a Sunday. I do not know about week day update times.

I will be on my PC by 7:00 AM tomorrow to check. If nothing is there by 7:30 I'll check back around noon (I'm in EST).

The last couple of releases have been early in the morning, but before that 10 a.m. CT was pretty standard. I'm going to be checking early for 10/11-10/14 STL-MCO fares.

 

[a1tinkfans]

todays the day

 

[mieuxmew]

I was looking at Southwest schedule for other months. It appears they now have very few DIRECT flights from Philly to Orlando! I recall Southwest having many more direct flights! I used to fly them a couple of years ago, but haven't lately as their prices have not been competitive, even with the two free bags. No fee for changing flights is nice, though. A few years ago my boss had to cancel my vacation 4 days before our Disney vacation. All I had to do was change my flights and my boss paid the difference (we were going in Feb so went in March instead).

Crossing my fingers for everyone they get the flights they want today!

 

[cbsnyber1]

Update: booked at 7:15 this morning and was really pleased - they increased the number of flights from Pittsburgh and moved the sole nonstop flight up an hour, to a 7:05 departure - way better than the 6:00 AM in the last schedule. Added bonus - the only nonstop return flight was moved back a bit so we'll arrive at 9:00 PM instead of 9:30. Win/Win!!

Plus, the fares were not any higher (but not lower, either), so I am totally satisfied with the way things turned out.

Total cash outlay for eight tickets using points, with Early Bird: $340 (two SW Visa cards, $70 each a year; $160 for EB, $40 for taxes). I should mention both my wife and I got the Visa with the 50,000 free points offer just for this trip.