Rental Cars and Airfare for March...

[debden]

Wow,The airfare and rental car prices are really high for our stay March 17-21st,2005! The lowest I could find for an economy car rental was $150 but luckily I found a lower price at Enterprise.com for $108.40 for our dates.
The airfare is also high on Southwest.com for our dates.We want the early time in and out (non-stop) and thats about $300 per person.We fly out of Albany,New York to Orlando. Independence Air has really good times for $176 per person with a 35 minute lay-over in Washington DC for our dates but I don't really want to take a chance on weather/delayed/cancelled flights either. I know sometimes Washington DC has worse weather than we do!
This is the first time I've been in 'high' season so maybe the prices I'm getting aren't really that bad??
I'm used to $115.20 RT out of Albany,NY and $75 for the rental car for 4 days.
I honestly don't think the prices are going to come down for my dates. I did make the Car Rental reservation but I'm still trying to decide if I should take Independence Air or not..
Decisions...Decisions..
Has anyone else run into high prices for March??
Debbie

 

[sbrown]

We are going to WDW March 3-8th. Rates prior to March are $143/person. We were lucky, and last month took advantage of a 1 day sale with Delta for $216/person Right now rates are hovering around $300/person. Depending on what college people attend, Spring Break could be any of the 1st 3 weeks of March, so I also doubt rates will fall as everyone tries to cash in with the Spring Break crowd.

 

[Coach Rick]

I also doubt rates will fall as everyone tries to cash in with the Spring Break crowd.

Hit the nail on the head with that one. I will be going March 9-14, and best I could do was $306 RT from Providence on a "group rate" with Southwest. Far cry from the $107 I paid this past August. Oh well, want to go where it's warm when it's cold at the airport your leaving from means you have to pay the premium I guess.

 

[debden]

Well I waited and thought about it too long.Now Independence Air is also $300 plus RT out of Albany,NY to Orlando.I keep seeing the prices go up,up,up....
Wow,$306 RT to Orlando?? No way!!
I guess I'll just have to cross my fingers and hope airfare comes down!
Anyone else out there going in March?? What are your dates and rates??
Debbie

 

[Blueberry]

We are going March 16-21st and paid $151 for roundtrip tickets, of course we are flying from VA which is a bit closer than you are..Rental car with Alamo is $120 total for an intermediate, used the Priceless code and the coupon from Entertaiment book...Check Alamo for lower rates, they seem lower than even National for March.....see ya there..

 

[dcandmc]

March 12-17, Manchester, NH to Orlando and back, nonstop on Southwest, $215 per person RT.

 

[dudspizza]

You are going during spring break time here in Minnesota. I checked flights for close to your dates and the airline we fly was sold out last November.....

I would only expect your flight costs to go up.... unless you get lucky and get a deal the week before you go, but who wants to do that when you have WDW waiting for you.

Duds

 

[PatMcDuck]

Song out of JFK is $59 each way. I booked a few months ago, but there are stillmany flights available at that rate. My trip is March 2-7, before the big spring rush.

 

[debden]

Hi,I just looked at Song for our dates out of JFK and they have no low fares left..
I did check Alamo however and their prices did come down! It was at least $40 higher when I checked.So instead of Enterprise (off terminal) for $108 for an Economy I'm taking Alamo's Compact for $118.Since they are at the terminal it will be more convenient (and quicker) I hope!
I've checked airfare out of Hartford,CT (BDL),Manchester,NH (MHT),Newark,NJ(EWR),Laguardia,NY (LGA),and JFK in NYC and all are too high or not enough of a savings to travel that far...We live 40 minutes north of Albany,NY...
I am hoping Southwest comes thru for me and I am able to get a non-stop flight for under $200.
Anyone else still trying for better airfares or car rental rates for March??
Debbie

 

[Blueberry]

Yes Alamo's rates seem to be going down..only one I have found so far.

Try checking on Burlington, VT or even Syracuse NY..you might find a deal. I suggest you check a couple of times a day, rates can change very fast and you just might find a quick couple of hour deal (I have caught many that way). Keep checking Albany too, a deal might come up there for you..do not give up hope yet..

 

[debden]

Blueberry Thanks. I will certainly check out Burlington,VT and Syracuse,NY and see if fares are lower..They did show a super low fare out of Allentown,PA
(which is a 4 hour drive from us) but when I checked it out it said those fares were no longer available...Darn...
I will certainly keep checking constantly all thru the day.Maybe I'll get lucky!
I haven't given up hope yet!!
Debbie

 

[jtfranklin]

Hi Debbie. I just booked Albany to Orlando yesterday (1/15) leaving on 2 March returning on the 8th. We were able to book Southwest leaving on the 8:20 flight and coming back on the 6:50 evening run for about $215 including tax & tip. I am now trying to decide whether to do the car rental thing or rely on bus transport from the airport and on grounds.

 

[debden]

jtfranklin,Wow,you got a great airfare! I'm so jealous! The flights we want are running at $311.40 PP RT...(eeek!!) Your flight times are great too! Your so lucky to find that fare for your dates.
We are staying off-site so we are renting a car this time.We kinda switch on and off with a rental car one trip and a sedan transfer the next.
Which resort are you staying at onsite? We stayed at the CBR and enjoyed it alot.
I would change my dates but we are going to the NHRA Races in Gainesville that weekend and we have reserved seats...
Have a great trip and give us a full review when you return,Please..
Debbie

 

[jadejazzkayla]

march 4-11. song non-stop from hartford $228 rt. booked 2 weeks ago. budget full-size $185 including taxes. just booked a trip last week for feb3-6 also on song $49 each way!

 

[Blueberry]

I just ran your dates on Southwest and came up with this...I wondered if this might work for you and your neice. If you could fly the evening before at 6:30pm on March 16th and return on March 21st you could fly Southwest right now for $215 plus fees out of Albany. With their special rates it would be $99 to fly down and $116 to fly back..best I could see there. Hope this might help...good luck on finding a good flying rate...

 

[debden]

Blueberry,Thanks for the suggestion.That flight is still available on Wednesday
and I have been thinking about it since it's $79 less (per person) to go the night before...
Debbie

 

[debaudrn]

I got $175.20 RT from Providence to Tampa, and return of Orlando to Providence on Southwest. But, I booked this last October. March is spring break season so I booked as soon as the rates came out. You can sign up for email notification on SW's website. I get an email every week or so with specials. It never hurts to look and that way I don't miss out on a really good rate. Good luck.
Debbie

 

[Blueberry]

Blueberry,Thanks for the suggestion.That flight is still available on Wednesday
and I have been thinking about it since it's $79 less (per person) to go the night before...
Debbie

I just had a thought that maybe a tiny bit of alteration might save you some big bucks so took a look myself at the flights on wed night...I hope you can find a good deal for that time period ....

 

[Lexxiefern]

We are going the same dates as you march 17 - 21! I just booked air earlier this month with jetblue out of boston. We are paying $255 per person RT. I figure I get so many cheap flights with Jetblue that if I have to pay more once it is okay (this trip will also give me a free flight!)

As far as car rental, I have national booked for $91. I am an Emerald Club member (you can join for free through mousesavers.com) and I was able to print a free day coupon over on the budget board. This price is for an intermediate with National's emerald aisle.

I hope this helps you!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Debden, I just went to Jetblue and if you fly out of JFK in NY you can fly for $99 each way ($215 per person RT) for nonstop flights.