Seattle to Orlando - what airlines should I be keeping an eye on? BUDGET!

[Carina]

Looking to fly from Seattle to Orlando at the end of the summer ( late August early September)

I have some flexiblity and will be using airline prices to dictate exactly when we go.

I have been keeping an eye on Southwest ( they don't have those dates open yet)

I am wondering 2 things...
1) Is Southwest likely to be cheapest right when those dates are released

2) Is there any other airlines likely to be in a low budget price range?


So far Southwest has gotten my attention because of the 2 free bags - there are 5 of us going for 10 days - so free bags will really add up.
I am OK with one layover ( as all southwest flights have) if it means saving money.

Is there a way to be notified when the southwest dates open up?

Any other thoughts or advice GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Judyat]

I would definitely keep an eye on southwest. Not sure what other airlines fly to Orlando from Seattle but you can go to kayak.com or orbitz.com and see airlines and prices for the dates you want. You can also call southwest and ask when their schedule will go past August 10. Besides bags flying free keep in mind that if you book southwest and the price goes down you can cancel online and rebook online without a charge. Also get yourself a rapid rewards account to earn free flights. And you might want to watch for a good deal on a chase credit card that gives you 50,000 points when you sign up.

 

[saremmons]

I would watch the Alaska prices for early September. I have had luck in the past with decent fares because it is off season and can't beat the direct flight. Also I have had luch with delta offering same flights on Alaska for cheaper as well as twice on jet blue ( they have one free bag and direct tv). Good luck!

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

All the major airlines fly to Orlando from Seattle. Usually with just one stop. We usually fly Alaska because it's nonstop, but it is usually more expensive.You just have to balance cost with travel time.

 

[Carina]

You just have to balance cost with travel time.

I am coming from Vancouver Island BC, so everything is going to take a long time either way - but we usually drive on all our holidays including 2 trips to Disneyland, and a road trip to Yellowstone that had an 18 hour trip home ( including the ferry) done in one day. Thankfully my kids travel well, and we DEFINATLY have more time than money.

Also still trying to decide if we should park and fly at a seattle area hotel or park and fly out of an airport lot.... your thoughts?

 

[eaj1228]

I flew from Seattle to Orlando in November. We flew American and got a great fare $109 each way + tax and fees. We had a layover in Dallas. We got the tickets in January and we just were able to snap up a great rate. The only advice is to keep your mind open to all airlines. Sometime it can be worth it to pay those annoying bag fees.

 

[Nicolepa]

The only airline that flies nonstop from Sea to Mco is Alaska. It is also usually the most expensive option. I've never flown Southwest. To MCO. We usually just keep checking Orbitz for a good rate. If we get a rate of $350 we snag it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also still trying to decide if we should park and fly at a seattle area hotel or park and fly out of an airport lot.... your thoughts?

Seatac parking rates are ghastly. Either do the park sleep fly, or park offsite. We've used master park and Wallypark and liked them. The seatac ramada has a sleep etc and they use master park, FYI.


I check alaska and virgin America. VA isn't nonstop, you have to switch in SFO or lax, but the airplanes are fabulous. They do have sales, too. I'd sign up for emails from those two and keep an eye out for sales.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I have always been able to get the best rates through Southwest within a few HOURS of the flights being released.

 

[Carina]

I appreicate you guys throwing names around - being from Canada, where we only have 2 airlines ( not kidding) just knowing where to check is half the battle.

Until yesturday I had never heard of Frontier Air ( which seems to have decent prices and good reviews - still a bit higher than I'm hoping to pay) or Virgin America.

Please keep the advice/thoughts coming.

 

[Carina]

Does southwest put new dates in sometime on a monday 9-5 or should I be checking the site 7 days a week until they come up?

Is there a way to be alerted ( a facebook page/group or something)

THX!

Tring to figure out the "ding" thing - is it just for all flights leaving my home airport - or can I do it for a specific route? Does it litterally appear like a pop up on my desktop or do I need to check it?

 

[bumbershoot]

If you click on Travel Tools, the page you'll be taken to states "We are currently accepting air reservations through August 10, 2012. On January 22, 2012, we will open our schedule for sale through September 28, 2012. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently."


Ding is customizable. I have several airports that I fly out of and into listed in there, and when it has something for me, if I have my speakers on, it makes a DING, just like the chime to call a flight attendant on an airplane. Click on it, see what they have, if you like it, click through.


You might want to check out the Transportation forum here...lots of good info on there!

 

[Carina]

If you click on Travel Tools, the page you'll be taken to states "We are currently accepting air reservations through August 10, 2012. On January 22, 2012, we will open our schedule for sale through September 28, 2012. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently."


Ding is customizable. I have several airports that I fly out of and into listed in there, and when it has something for me, if I have my speakers on, it makes a DING, just like the chime to call a flight attendant on an airplane. Click on it, see what they have, if you like it, click through.


You might want to check out the Transportation forum here...lots of good info on there!

Do I need to have the ding open, or is the shortcut on my desktop enough

 

[ICan'tWait]

We're from the Seattle area and we've been that timeframe quite a few times. Last year we got our tickets in January for end of August. I typically check kayak.com and Southwest when they open. Kayak will show you most the major airlines in one check so you don't have to keep checking different sites. Last year Delta ended up being the cheapest for us. We opened a Delta charge card because you get a free bag for yourself and up to a certain number of guests - can't remember how many...

 

[dtstampz]

I think it's up to 9 other people under your reservation for 1 free checked bag each.
Also, they started doing priority boarding (zone 2) for Delta card holders, which I LOVE!

 

[bumbershoot]

Do I need to have the ding open, or is the shortcut on my desktop enough

It should work with just the shortcut; mine sits on my "dock", and when something comes through to it, it dings and pops an envelope up over the southwest symbol.

 

[c&m]

We're from Canada too. Going to MCO in March for spring break. We found flights in September (I do plan quite a bit ahead). I checked cheapoair.com. Found a Delta flight from SEA-MCO for $130 pp one way, with a very brief stopover in Minneapolis. I immediately went to the Delta website and booked directly through Delta at that price. For our return flight, I booked the Alaska Air non-stop flight for $257 pp, primarily because we'd be exhausted coming home and we'd want to get home as fast as we could. Hope my experience helps you in your planning!

 

[squirrel]

In 2010 I booked with Alaska on a direct flight. I believe it was $250 return p/p.

Last year when I went to book with Alaska the price was much higher. I found out that I could apply for the Alaska Credit Card and get a companion flight for $99. There is a $75 annual fee on the CC but I included that in the price of our flights and was able to get them for $300 per person return.

Just charging that flight and my WDW stay on the CC, sign up miles plus the miles for 4 return flights to WDW I had enough miles for a return trip from Bellingham to LAX (I just booked two flights home for our next trip as we are cruising to LA).

I also called in to cancel the credit card and I was given a no fee for life.

Alaska's baggage fee is $20, when most of the other's are $25.