Saving on airfare

[ClosetDisMom]

Our next trip will be next July. When we went in 2016, we were lucky enough to stumble on Southwest's $49 one way airfare sale and got all four tickets at under $500 round trip. I cannot remember when Southwest runs those sales and tried doing a ransoms google search. Does anyone here know? Is it in February or January?

 

[Momee]

With our experience, there isn't too much of a prediction with SW's 72 hour sales. I've seen them around this time of year though- Octoberish.
The positive thing about booking with Southwest is that if you find a lower fare after you've booked, they will give you a refund for the difference- or so we have experienced.
You might also check with flying into Tampa and then renting a one-way car rental to Orlando. You may save money doing that if you can't find an economical fare for Orlando.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

Thanks, Momee, at least I don't feel crazy. I kept thinking that there must be a pattern for when they run the sales. Sanity regained!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

SWA runs their birthday sale in late May.

 

[Luv0fDisney]

Also, if you have any credit cards that earn points too. Especially if you are a huge shopper, either shop a lot or do alot of home-improvements. Certain cards will earn you flying mileage....So best of both worlds.

 

[thejaxx]

I signed up for Airfare Watchdog's newsletter and alerts myself. Have it set to notify me of flights to Orlando and Orange County when they go on sale or drop below a certain price. Is a great tool!

 

[ClosetDisMom]

I signed up for Airfare Watchdog's newsletter and alerts myself. Have it set to notify me of flights to Orlando and Orange County when they go on sale or drop below a certain price. Is a great tool!

thejaxx - thanks for the tip! I signed up and already got some notifications - it's not for my travel date range... yet. But, it's a great start!

 

[travelin' tigger]

If you go to Southwest's website now, they have fares "as low as $49".

 

[ClosetDisMom]

If you go to Southwest's website now, they have fares "as low as $49".

Saw that today, too! Unfortunately for me, they haven't released their July flights yet.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

The positive thing about booking with Southwest is that if you find a lower fare after you've booked, they will give you a refund for the difference- or so we have experienced.

Just caution that if you book the wanna get away fare, the refund only goes as a credit your southwest account and must be used for completed travel within a year from the date of initial booking. It's pretty limited so unless you travel frequently, the refund may go to waste.

 

[Euby]

Do you have a Target Red Card? If so, you can buy Southwest gift cards at the store for 5% off. Every little bit helps.

 

[wondering]

Are you anywhere near a Frontier Airlines airport? I know they nickel/dime everything and luggage is $30/each way so it is only really worthwhile if you can travel super light and pay 1 luggage for every 2 people.
For SWA, I believe sales often start on Tues/Wed for a couple days every week. I don't recall how early they release July flights though (they're upto early June now) so I assume they'll be released in another month or so. Do you get their emails?
Also, if you have a Google account, I like to track flights for potential trips on Google Flights (google.com/flights).

 

[Dis703]

We mainly fly Frontier to Orlando now. In December all 5 of us flew for $500RT. That included paying to pick our seats, 5 free personal items and one large checked bag. If you don't need a lot of luggage (and sometimes even if you do) it can save a ton. I'm flying them again next month for $60RT no checked bags this time just using my Vera Bradley Weekender bags free under the seat.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

Wow, that’s impressive!

 

[wondering]

We mainly fly Frontier to Orlando now. In December all 5 of us flew for $500RT. That included paying to pick our seats, 5 free personal items and one large checked bag. If you don't need a lot of luggage (and sometimes even if you do) it can save a ton. I'm flying them again next month for $60RT no checked bags this time just using my Vera Bradley Weekender bags free under the seat.

I'm such a newbie. Months ago, I thought ~$85 one way Frontier was "cheap", so I bought the outbound only. (Our return dates weren't bookable/available yet). Then it went to $35 for the return. I waffled for an hour, cancelled my SWA flight home (1 stop) to buy the Frontier nonstop home. I was thrilled!