Southwest $69

[minniemomof3]

In case anyone is interested, Southwest opened up more fares from Buffalo to Orlando the last week of August.

We were able to get Aug 25-Sept 1 (free dining) for $69 each way, non stop. When the first offered this fare, I missed it and my dates were sold out, just checked today and they had more seats available at that rate.

 

[AndyMcV]

Just curious, how many tickets where you able to get? Is it easy to get these tickets at $69 for a family of 4? Also, how much is the total round trip at $69 each way with the taxes, etc, etc...?

Thanks!

In case anyone is interested, Southwest opened up more fares from Buffalo to Orlando the last week of August.

We were able to get Aug 25-Sept 1 (free dining) for $69 each way, non stop. When the first offered this fare, I missed it and my dates were sold out, just checked today and they had more seats available at that rate.

 

[NikP]

Prices for a family of 4, Buf-MCO @$69 +taxes= $311.60
Prices for a family of 4, MCO-BUF @$69 +taxes= $317.60
for a grand total of $629.20 USD.

 

[minniemomof3]

I purchased 5 return tickets, it came to approx. $780.00 U.S.

A friend purchase 4 return tickets and I believe it cost him approx $620.00 U.S.

 

[AndyMcV]

Is there any reason why you'd ever fly out of Toronto using Air Canada with these prices out of Buffallo. It just amazes me the price difference.

Prices for a family of 4, Buf-MCO @$69 +taxes= $311.60
Prices for a family of 4, MCO-BUF @$69 +taxes= $317.60
for a grand total of $629.20 USD.

 

[SandraC]

I like Pearson Intl. However, we don't have passports yet and the Southwest prices are great, so we flew SW from BUF in March. S

 

[hellorobbo]

In case anyone is interested, Southwest opened up more fares from Buffalo to Orlando the last week of August.

We were able to get Aug 25-Sept 1 (free dining) for $69 each way, non stop. When the first offered this fare, I missed it and my dates were sold out, just checked today and they had more seats available at that rate.

Darn, that is the return date I need but yesterday when I saw this thread there was only one seat remaining at $69! I need 5! I really have to check DIS more frequently. Probably daily while having my coffee

Anyone know the likelihood of Southwest adding more seats? I wonder do they add another aircraft or simply release more seats at the lower price?

 

[minniemomof3]

I think it's early enough that they may release more flights at the cheaper rate. There seems to be still plenty of seats available on that flight.
Check at least once a day.

 

[4orm]

I would love to fly out of Buffalo at those prices but we have no car so tack on $80 for the bus fare for the two of us (and three hours each way) and a $100 overnight in Buffalo since we prefer the 7am flight and the earliest bus from here leave way to late to make it for that, and it isn't as cost effective anymore.
They need to opent the skys to US airlines. More competition in Canadian airfares please

 

[cabmom]

Anyone know the likelihood of Southwest adding more seats? I wonder do they add another aircraft or simply release more seats at the lower price?

I've noticed that when they offer Dings they open up more cheap seats. So keep checking for a Ding.

 

[hellorobbo]

I've noticed that when they offer Dings they open up more cheap seats. So keep checking for a Ding.

That makes sense as presumably they issue Dings for flights on which they have capacity and want to increase sales by releasing seats at lower prices. The dings so far have been June ans July so I will keep checking as we get closer to Aug.

We were initially planning on driving so that is always the fallback!

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

Question 1. Is it easy to get round trip tickets for the $69 each way or is it pretty difficult?

Question 2. We may be planning a June 2008 trip. Any advice on getting low fare tickets through SW?

Thanks
Andy

 

[cabmom]

Hi Gang

Question 1. Is it easy to get round trip tickets for the $69 each way or is it pretty difficult?

Question 2. We may be planning a June 2008 trip. Any advice on getting low fare tickets through SW?

Thanks
Andy

1. No, it's not usually difficult if you can be flexible with your dates and are a patient person.

2. Either book it within minutes of them opening up the next batch of dates or wait for a DING.

 

[princess aurora]

We Love love love SW! It is cheaper for us and allows us to take our vacations to Disney. Otherwise it wouldn't be cost effective for us.

We took advantage of the 69$ each way flights and our family of 4 will be flying to Orlando landing by 9:30am for 629.29$US. Took advantage of FREE Dining (OMG I'm so excited) and are staying at Coranado Springs (we wanted there but as a side note all Values were sold out for our dates Sept 8 - Sept 15).

Buffalo hotel - 109.99
Flights - 629.20
8Day/7night CSR - 2,303.10 (6-day Hopper with Water parks)

Total 3042.29$US (includes Food)


As for planning a trip for next year. Get DING! It's a download from the SW site. It will let you know when there is a special sale (in addition to any sale that may or may not be happening on their site). Just in general go on the site and check out flight options. Flying Tues or Wed is usually cheaper and if you are flexible it helps in planning your trip.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

I just installed Ding. I wanted to see what happens. We are thinking about going back to WDW sometime in 2008. Anyway I have 3 more questions.

I noticed that when you select an airport with Ding there is listed "Ontario, CA - ONT". Do you know what this is?

Just for fun I priced out for 4 of us in mid June for this year. I found for each of us $64.19 to and $45.58 back!!! That totals $549.20 USD with taxes. The 4 of us!!! Wow!!! Am I dreaming? That's about what you'd pay for 1 round trip ticket with Air Canada. So my question... as this is an "internet special", it states "14-day advance purchase required". What does this mean exactly?

If I purchased these tickets for my gang and me are we guaranteed seats on that plane?

Thanks
Andy

 

[cabmom]

That's awesome! You are pretty much guaranteed seats unless you take a bump, which they compensate you for.

Put in postal code 14225 for Buffalo, you want the Buffalo Airport.

 

[princess aurora]

When you searched for your tickets and picked your dates there should be different kinds of categories of tickets. You picked an Internet special for the 69$ (taxes in) one way etc. There are other kinds of tickets like ones with cancellable options but are more expensive. They have limited ticket available in each category. Once the internet tickets are sold you move up to Fun Fare price or whatever. The plane may not actually be full but all the "cheap" tickets have been issued.

SouthWest does NOT have assigned seating. A little weird at first but we like and it works for us. If you purchase your tickets on line you are given a confirmation number. You have an e-ticket. Starting 24 hrs before your flight you can print off your tickets from home or office using your confirmation number entered into the reservations page. The closer to 24 hr you get the better chance you have of getting in group A or B. Although SW does not assign seats they board by section A, B C on a first come first served basis. You and I may both have A section but you can get in line ahead of me if you arrive at the gate earlier than I do. Or even if I getthere ahead of you and I board in C section I have to wit until A section then B section boards before I can board. You pick ANY seat once you board the plane. They will obviously encourage you to fill the front first before allowing you to get to the back.

If for any reason you can not use your ticket you can not cancel it and get your money back (if it's an Internet sale) BUT you CAN get a credit for it and use it against another trip.

We've used this method SEVERAL times. No problems, no worries!

Use the Buffalo postal code to get Bufflao DING!

Hope that helps!

 

[AndyMcV]

Thanks guys...

Great responses. I'm becoming a little more comfortable with the flying out of Buffalo thing. I just can't get it out of my head that the price can be 10 times less then Air Canada or WestJet. I'm still waiting for someone to say, oh no no wait you forgot about the $200 per ticket charge/tax/etc...

Andy

 

[princess aurora]

We book Comfort Suites (Dick Rd) for our hotel in Buffalo. They have park and fly plus continental breakfast and free shuttle. 109.99 $ last year when we stayed there. Ask any hotel about their Park and Fly room rate. you can park your car at the hotel up to 2 weeks in some cases and they shuttle you to and from the airport then you use Disney Magical Express once in Orlando and boom your Disney Dreams are just beginning.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

I did a search for every month to November this year and I could find direct flights leaving Saturday and coming back the next Saturday in the middle of each month for just over $600 for 4 of us. Yes just $600!!! Get this though, I just checked July and the cost was $349.20. WHAT???? WOW!!! Is it just me or is that insane? $349 taxes included to fly 4 people to Orlando and back.

Hmmm... Air Canada at $2,400 or Southwest for $349. Geee that's a hard one. Can someone PLEASE tell me why you would not fly through Buffalo at these prices?

Andy