So explain to me for those that wing it....

[an_evans]

We rae going back to WDW next March. Obviously I can't book flights now but I usually book as early as I can. With Southwest if I book and a better deal comes up can I exchange or do I just wait for a good deal?

 

[karrit2000]

My advice is to book your flights when the dates you want become available. If a better deal comes along you rebook your flights & southwest will give you a credit for the difference that you have to use within 12 months of your original purchase date. The concensus is that if you book each way separately you have more flexibilty when the dings are offered. Also many people choose their dates & the outbound date may be available to purchase before your return date. If you wait for both to be available you run the risk of not getting a lower initial fare for the outbound flight or the one you want isn't available anymore at a good price. I'm more comfortable knowing I have the flight I want booked & being open to change if a better fare pops up but I can't get it for the specific flight I originally booked.

 

[an_evans]

So if I book the flights for my crew and then a better deal comes along could i use the credit to book my inlaws?

When should I expect March 2007 fares?

 

[karrit2000]

I'm not sure if you can use the credit for another person, maybe someone else can answer that. I think that last year they extended the schedule into the new year some time around september but might have been october or november befor the March dates became available. I use to panic & book Delta because I got nervous waiting for SWA but their prices are so much better & no charge to change or rebook makes the nail biting worth it.

 

[kycat]

I've used credit for the reast of my family before..but not with SW. Check with them.

 

[MickeyEars]

Karrit2000, you sound just like me!!! I have always been so "afraid" to wait for Southwest to release their schedule that I went ahead and booked on Delta. Not any more, after seeing what great fares Southwest is offering from Louisville to MCO this year I'm waiting for Southwest to release their fares for our next trip May 30- June 7, 2007. I'll simply bite my nails and wait!!!

Carla

 

[RweTHEREyet]

On Delta, you can change flights, but they will charge you a $50.00 fee and it can only be used in the name of the person that the original ticket was booked.

On Southwest, you get a full credit for any unused portion of a ticket and you can use that credit for anyone. You can even use more than one credit towards another ticket.

Southwest is a lot more flexible.

 

[Bobb-O]

The way most airlines (except Southwest) do it is to put out fares low at first and raise them until they are sold out. This way they get full planes early.

Southwest is similar but schedule comes out much later then delta or jet blue. If you wait with SWA fares will go down like you say but at some point they go back up so you need to buy before fares rise or seats are gone. Makes for an interesting game.

You have a crew?