Southwest airlines, Magical Express ... questions

[Minniekins]

I was wondering if we use SWA, can we use ME? I thought i remembered hearing they don't work with ME, so will they get our luggage like they do with AT? That would make me not fly SWA, I don't want to have find some other way to Disney.

Swa's fares are pretty good right now for our dec trip, especially considering they don't charge baggage fees! And AT rates for dec 11 -18 aren't out yet. But, we've never flown with SWA. What else would we need to know about SWA? They don't charge for seats, right? So how is boarding?

I'm unsure if we should jump on the Wanna Get Away fare of 117 from Chicago each way or wait to see if they go down or if AT rates are better. I've been very happy, for the most part, with AT in the last 4, 5 yrs we've flown with them. But the baggage fees, or lack of fees, on SWA makes those fares look pretty good. If we checked one bag each, it'd be 40 more each way.

One other thing... if the prices did go down from what I pay, could I get a refund of the difference as they often do on AT or dont' they do anything like that?

So, if anyone could help me with some answers and thoughts on SWA to try to figure this out, I'd appreciate it very much! Thank you!

 

[Minniekins]

Wow, the morning flight I wanted is already up to 170! Argh!! Any chance it'll go back down? Dang, it's just a fluke I even checked their prices, and at this time, and now I feel like a may have missed a good deal! Argh!

Well, if I book one time, can you switch time to another one if price is same? Probably a dumb question, but you can on AT if the time changes. So, just wondering how things are on SWA. Okay, thanks again!

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, you can use DME. You have ALWAYS been able to use DME when arriving on SW. The issue was with RAC, upon resort departure. You weren't able to check your bags at the resort, but that has changed now. So go ahead and book with SW if that's what you want to do.
As far as credits go...they do not give you a refund, but they will give you a credit with SW for future use. The only time you would get an actual refund is if you booked the fully refundable fares...which are really high.

 

[drinkme]

I'm also flying out of Midway. I'm going right before Thanksgiving. They just released their dates yesterday, and all of the new dates are showing the minumum of $117. If you look at the dates before that, the lowest is $99. I'm hoping for a $99. But just like you, I hope I don't lose it. I really don't want to pay $117. I think the most I've ever paid was $79.

 

[Minniekins]

Thank you, appreciate the responses! Well, still kicking myself about not grabbing the swa flights when i first saw them. But honestly, not having ever been with swa, I wasn't sure how it would go or if I'd regret flying with them on the spur of the moment. I also didn't expect the fare to orlando to go up 53 dollars in five minutes after I saw it, and then refreshed the page, lol! I suppose I'll probably end up back at AT, which I like them, but the prices in the first few days of Dec that have been released are the same(117), but there's those darn baggage fees! I guess I could book the return flight at the still 117 fare but not sure I should fly two different airlines, Idk.

At Airtran I'll probably wait to see lower prices closer to the 89 and 99 I've had the last few years! Argh, just wish I'd have booked swa right away! Do swa rates go down much after being released or not really?

 

[drinkme]

Yep, my flights went up from $117 to $170 also. The SWA flights' prices go up and down all the time. I noticed they usually go down on Tuesday at 3pm. Then they head back up on Thursday.

I'm waiting for Free Dining to be announced, then I will book my flight (unless an incredible $79 flight gets posted, though I highly doubt that will happen! lol).

 

[scootch]

Wow, the morning flight I wanted is already up to 170! Argh!! Any chance it'll go back down? )

It is a holiday weekend, lots of people off work using the internet, flights always go up. They will go back down(at least a little). I have gone to FL for 7 novembers straight and usually get good airfare in late jun/early july. We flew this year in April, Palm Sunday. I figured since it was a holiday weekend, i better snatch SW opening day flight price, but it went down to. I got a credit, but wasn't able to use it as the credit goes by time of originial booking. Wish I would have waited now for what was the "norm" for my flight over the years.

 

[maj42169]

The flight prices from Pittsburgh for SW don't seem to fluctuate much at all. I have used two different airlines with no problems before. Lately I have preferred SW over airtran. If you don't mind the boarding difference, where you don't have a preassigned seat, then they seem to be the more cost effective way to go with free bags. (IMHO)

 

[drinkme]

Yep, my flights went up from $117 to $170 also. The SWA flights' prices go up and down all the time. I noticed they usually go down on Tuesday at 3pm. Then they head back up on Thursday.

I'm waiting for Free Dining to be announced, then I will book my flight (unless an incredible $79 flight gets posted, though I highly doubt that will happen! lol).

My flights are all back down to $117 as of this morning (Sat). I guess that throws my "Tues morning at 3pm" theory down the drain! lol.

I'm still waiting for FD to be announced before I book.