Southwest Advice....

[apulk]

We are looking to book flights from Pittsburgh to MCO for a week -- January 1, 2011 returning Jan 8th, 2011. For the 6 of us right now we are looking at a total (fees, etc.) of $1664. They have the flights we want -- late evening non-stops. Does anyone know if we can expect maybe one day or two where the fares might drop (sale) or are we at this point only looking at increases. They just recently opened up beyond Jan 7th so not sure that means maybe one sale is coming (maybe after Labor Day) or this is as good as it gets. With 6 of us every little bit would help.

Thoughts please....thanks much.
andy

 

[DebbieB]

We are looking to book flights from Pittsburgh to MCO for a week -- January 1, 2011 returning Jan 8th, 2011. For the 6 of us right now we are looking at a total (fees, etc.) of $1664. They have the flights we want -- late evening non-stops. Does anyone know if we can expect maybe one day or two where the fares might drop (sale) or are we at this point only looking at increases. They just recently opened up beyond Jan 7th so not sure that means maybe one sale is coming (maybe after Labor Day) or this is as good as it gets. With 6 of us every little bit would help.

Thoughts please....thanks much.
andy

It depends on if there are empty seats or not as time goes by. I know I flew SW in June of last year from PIT and the price only went up. Started around $360 and went up to around $400 roundtrip. Every seat was full so obviously they didn't need to lower the price. The Jan 1 might not change but I'm thinking the Jan 8 might not be a popular travel day. You may want to book one ways to take advantage if one goes up and one goes down.

 

[E&K's Dad]

Did you check these flights today? There appears to be a significant sale on SW flight now. I was able to get PHL to MCO for $64 when it was $103 yesterday. Keep checking. . .you never know what will change.

 

[Huff]

I'd bet on fares dropping by sometime in late November but no more than $30 per person. Not enough for me to risk it. If you book now and fares drop you will be able to get a credit for the difference. After Jan. 28th this credit can only be used by the original ticketed individual. Credit is good for 1 year from date of booking (not 1 year from travel date). That worked out for us. Ours did drop $30/PP so I now have a credit of $30 per person towards another flight in the next year.

You could save $10/PP coming back the 9th, or $30/PP coming back on the 10th.

Alternative airlines look to total about $1490 for 6 people but they charge $25 per bag per person each way while southwest does not charge for luggage.

Bing airfare predictions states an 80% chance of fares for this route increasing but their prediction only looks for the next week.

 

[apulk]

I checked about 4 different times yesterday and will probably do just as many today. It is risky I know.....I just have to "confirm" and do it but haven't been able to. Airtran does have a better rate but add on the luggage fees and they are really close. And -- the SW flights are better times for us. Have to fly back on the 8th to get son back to college on the 9th. The 1st we have plans during the day so a dinner time flight is great. My hunch is (and I have no basis in fact to confirm that though ) is that right now the promos they are pushing is last minute Labor day and early fall. Once Labor day comes then it will be early fall and winter......If I can get lucky and not have them go up this weekend -- they may drop a little -- if not I think Monday or Tuesday I have to book.

With 6 people that $30/person really helps and we don't fly much so not sure if/how we would use the credit.

I'll check every hour on the hour today and see how I'm feeling at the end of the day. Already snagged a great rental car rate for a van for that week for$200 total - fees included. I should be happy with that savings but trying to pay for that van with Air savings I guess.

Thanks much.
andy

I'd bet on fares dropping by sometime in late November but no more than $30 per person. Not enough for me to risk it. If you book now and fares drop you will be able to get a credit for the difference. After Jan. 28th this credit can only be used by the original ticketed individual. Credit is good for 1 year from date of booking (not 1 year from travel date). That worked out for us. Ours did drop $30/PP so I now have a credit of $30 per person towards another flight in the next year.

You could save $10/PP coming back the 9th, or $30/PP coming back on the 10th.

Alternative airlines look to total about $1490 for 6 people but they charge $25 per bag per person each way while southwest does not charge for luggage.

Bing airfare predictions states an 80% chance of fares for this route increasing but their prediction only looks for the next week.