So upset with southwest!

[momtocnc]

I went online at 5:15 and grabbed the nonstop flight that I wanted for 145 pp. I went to check out and there was a computer glitch with my travel funds. I paid with PayPal and then got an error message that it could only use 4 travel funds. I did only use 4 and they were from one confirmation number even. I called them and by the time that they figured it out, my session was timed out and the flight was up to 200 pp! I ended up settling for another for 155 pp but it isn't nonstop. I'm just so disappointed!

 

[rusafee1183]

I'm really mad at them today too. I was up first thing in the morning to get the "great deals" as soon as they were released.... and it's $159 per person each way. I REFUSE to pay almost $700 for 2 people to fly.

We are flying from Pittsburgh, and 4-5 years ago we could easily get $79-$99 pp each way, but no more apparently.

I am really fed up with these prices....

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Unfortunately, $300 and under is now a good price round trip to Orlando.

I too miss the days when $49 flights were out there - we used to take weekend trips just because the flights were so dang cheap.

 

[msd1776]

I booked this am too. My airfare was higher than what I wanted to pay too. while I don't have to change my hotel reservation, we don't land until 11:05pm. I believe the rising costs are due to the fact that energy prices are going up as well as other expenses to operate a business e.g. Insurance. As long as I am blessed to have a job and I am in good health to enjoy the trip With my family....No complaints from me.

 

[seashoreCM]

When you saw the glitch, did it give you a chance to try a different method of payment without having to start over selecting dates and flights and typing in everybody's name and without having to telephone the airline?

I miss the days when most airlines would give you a credit if you saw that the price of your itinerary went down after you booked and then you asked. But I realize that that was a gimmick on the part of the airlines that they now feel is not the best for their business model.

 

[Gracie09]

I'm really mad at them today too. I was up first thing in the morning to get the "great deals" as soon as they were released.... and it's $159 per person each way. I REFUSE to pay almost $700 for 2 people to fly.

We are flying from Pittsburgh, and 4-5 years ago we could easily get $79-$99 pp each way, but no more apparently.

I am really fed up with these prices....

The days of sub $100 tickets are gone. Southwest had a long term contract with jet fuel suppliers tht expired a few years ago. Now they are paying a higher rate for fuel, like all of us, and pass the increase along. Remember 3 or 5 years ago gas over $3 was unheard of and now I regularly see it hit $4z

 

[rusafee1183]

The days of sub $100 tickets are gone. Southwest had a long term contract with jet fuel suppliers tht expired a few years ago. Now they are paying a higher rate for fuel, like all of us, and pass the increase along. Remember 3 or 5 years ago gas over $3 was unheard of and now I regularly see it hit $4z

I don't even expect that anymore. But the way everyone talks about getting flights the first day they're released.. I was hoping for at least a $110 or something. But flying into Tampa (for a friends wedding, and then we will drive over to WDW and out of Orlando) is $197 pp each way.

Really frustrated.

 

[momtocnc]

When you saw the glitch, did it give you a chance to try a different method of payment without having to start over selecting dates and flights and typing in everybody's name and without having to telephone the airline?

I miss the days when most airlines would give you a credit if you saw that the price of your itinerary went down after you booked and then you asked. But I realize that that was a gimmick on the part of the airlines that they now feel is not the best for their business model.

I tried credit card first and that is when I got the error message. I then tried pay pal which I received a confirmation from that it was received. It took me back to southwest again I had the error message again. I never got off of the screen. It turns out that it would only allow 4 total payments (3 credits and one credit card) I have never used a travel credit before so all of this was new to me. It took the lady about ten minutes to figure that out. At that point I deleted one but it said that my session had expired and I had to enter it again unfortunately and the price had gone up. At least I still got a reasonable price for my flight home. I just wish it was nonstop - easier with kids! My total round trip ( I had already booked my flight there. I needed the 8th for return) was about 300 pp which is still much better than what I have been seeing plus my bags are included.

 

[kamik86]

I know for the last few years (when I started going) $300 per person for a round trip Albany to Orlando is normal... and the only flights I have taken cheaper have been the Albany to BWI ones. I'm flying for work in a few weeks and my return flight will be $364!! Glad I'm not paying for it. Its going to be almost $600 just for me to get there and back.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm really mad at them today too. I was up first thing in the morning to get the "great deals" as soon as they were released.... and it's $159 per person each way. I REFUSE to pay almost $700 for 2 people to fly.

We are flying from Pittsburgh, and 4-5 years ago we could easily get $79-$99 pp each way, but no more apparently.

I am really fed up with these prices....

Sorry but the airlines can't afford to fly you for $79.

They finally woke up, cut capacity and raised pricing to a level they can make a profit

 

[Nanajo1]

We liucked out and got our return trip MCO to Providence for $104 PP. we already booked our fight down for $104..

It's not like the old days of $59 but everything is getting costlier. I am glad I remembered that SWA was opening the new window today.

 

[rusafee1183]

Sorry but the airlines can't afford to fly you for $79.

They finally woke up, cut capacity and raised pricing to a level they can make a profit

I'm sorry, but did you not see the follow up post where I said I didn't expect that anymore....?

But, yes - I am in a little bit of sticker shock over paying $373.80 one way for two people when last January I paid $420 RT.

 

[rlduvall]

Sorry but the airlines can't afford to fly you for $79.

They finally woke up, cut capacity and raised pricing to a level they can make a profit

I agree with you and even though our area never saw $79. one way, we could usually get to Orlando for $200. - $250. RT. Today, just for fun I looked to see what airfare would be during March Spring Break [yes, one of the busiest times] and it was $470. per person one way.

Edited to add: On the flip side of this, I was able to get a great deal to Orlando in early December with their SeaWorld special; $260. roundtrip.

 

[wdwfan1]

I am also disappointed. The cheapest flight is $142 each way from Long Island and the times are not good. We always get the first flight out going down--usually around 7a. Now the first flight is around 11a. Don't like the return flight times either.

 

[keishashadow]

I'm really mad at them today too. I was up first thing in the morning to get the "great deals" as soon as they were released.... and it's $159 per person each way. I REFUSE to pay almost $700 for 2 people to fly.

We are flying from Pittsburgh, and 4-5 years ago we could easily get $79-$99 pp each way, but no more apparently.

I am really fed up with these prices....

Curious, are you looking @ the same travel week as last year? If not, in addition to fare increase you could be experiencing normal seasonal price difference.

we fly AT/SWA into MCO several times a year and the only instances I've been able to find fares under $100 were mid week flights during less popular times of travel. Don't get me wrong, i'd love to pay less $ but good with what I have, especially when I see what others are paying for different routes & after factoring in 'free' luggage allowance/ability to change flights without penalty on SWA.

Seems as though $300 RT seems to be the new starting norm out of PIT into anywhere in FLA. I was able to book flight into FLL today @ $155 pp, just hoping the rates are comparable for flight home next release.

I was able to book RT for trip in Oct net of $243 pp RT (was $300 initially) but now see my return flight over $211 pp. Spent $270 pp RT in January (haven't seen a price drop yet). I'm able to use the credits from price drops so I book when the schedule is first released and hope for the best. If not able to do so it would be nerve-wracking to play the waiting game.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm sorry, but did you not see the follow up post where I said I didn't expect that anymore....?

But, yes - I am in a little bit of sticker shock over paying $373.80 one way for two people when last January I paid $420 RT.

I also saw "I REFUSE to pay" You can "refuse" to pay, but that doesn't mean that the airline has to meet your demands. Sorry!

 

[dgaston]

I too got $104 from PVD to MCO but had to adjust both my departure and return by one day. It was worth it to me. We'll just Priceline a hotel by MCO for our late arrival and stay at a Value for one more day of our Spring Break "peak" travel time.

 

[bumbershoot]

I miss the days when most airlines would give you a credit if you saw that the price of your itinerary went down after you booked and then you asked. But I realize that that was a gimmick on the part of the airlines that they now feel is not the best for their business model.

When was that, that most airlines would credit you? Pre-late-80s I assume? Of course in the early 80s we paid about 800 to get me from San Francisco to DC and back for my 8th grade trip, but in Oct it's costing 171 to get from mco to sea. I'll take today's costs vs that 800.

I never book first day though. And we use Alaska quite a lot (not the 171 in this case) and they are one of the airlines that gives a credit if you see the price decrease though no one ever thinks of them as doing that.

 

[Q-man]

We are flying from Pittsburgh, and 4-5 years ago we could easily get $79-$99 pp each way, but no more apparently.

Uh....that time frame was during the biggest US recession since the Great Depression. Celebrate that you had the means to enjoy the screaming deals that were available during that time period.

Oil(jet fuel) is also twice the cost now that it was then.

 

[maxiesmom]

When are you traveling? In July I was lucky enough to get $109 one way, for my December trip to WDW. Are you close to your travel date? If not, I might gamble and keep looking. Even Southwest runs sales every so often.