Southwest fares

[ldhr2005]

Just looking for a little insight. We always fly SW, and up until now have had great luck with fares/times. This year the fares for our early October trip are either horribly expensive, or with somewhat better pricing but crappy times. So much so, that for the first time we are looking into going into Logan Airport and flying with Jet Blue. So, my question is- how long so I hold out for with SW??? I have been checking every day and there has been no movement what so ever on the fares. I would LOVE to be able to snag SW, but for $200 cheaper and getting in 8 hours earlier, I also do not want to miss out on JB if that is our best bet. HELP ME PLEASE, my head is spinning, lol!!!

 

[katallo]

I can only go by personal experience. We've been watching airfare with SW for the fall and it has either remained steady or increased (more common). You're right, you have to choose an expensive flight or take a very inconvenient time (which we did). I have seen some decent fares on Wednesdays. Unfortunately, for us, it's difficult to work a schedule around it.

 

[fiestamomma]

If you're more than 5 months out from your trip I'd give SW. A little more time. It helps if you're a little flexible on the days you want to fly.

However I know it's nerve racking!!! If JetBlue is that much cheaper (including the cost of baggage fees) then I would probably just do that.

The good thing with Southwest if the price of your ticket drops before your trip you can be credited the difference if you call customer service.

This happened to us. We bought 3 round trips with miles and one OOP. The price dropped $20 each way, so we were refunded our miles and have a $40 credit.

 

[Steelersfan]

Calling customer service is a great tip. I didn't know they would hook you up. we just flew them and had very good fares, but I did see that it dropped lower than what I paid a few times over the 6 months after I booked.

Next time I'll call!

 

[ldhr2005]

It is the waiting game that is killing me!!! I just booked a one nights hotel stay at the Hyatt in Orlando International for a GREAT rate. I think that I might just take the last flight out on Friday night, let us (and the kids) get a good nights sleep, and then start out fresh Saturday morning. The whole idea of having to be at Logan for 5 am with a 2 and a 5 year old was making me nauseous already, lol!!! The rate is what it would cost us to get a car service from home to Logan so it is almost like it is costing me nothing . I love how I can rationalize these things!

 

[rangerxenos]

I'm traveling in November, and I can't believe how high the fares are for Southwest right now! We've never paid more than $250 roundtrip from Hartford to Orlando nonstop with SW, and right now they are over $600!!!

It is really early, but still, I've never seen fares that high before.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

We booked our October trip last month on SW. We were paying $609.20 for 2from ISP to MCO. Checked the airfare on July 11 and it went down to $565.20 (same flights) so I canceled and rebooked and wound up with a $44 credit. Checked the fare again yesterday and the price is now down to $495.20 so I canceled and rebooked again, gaining an additional $70 credit. Just out of curiousity, I checked the fares again this minute and they're back up to $565.20.

I thought I was out of luck being that we are flying home Columbus Day weekend, but I've been pleasantly surprised.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

We have a trip planned in Sept and Jan. I check the SW site first thing EVERY day. Today, the fare for our Jan trip dropped $75/each. I just rebooked and now we have a credit for a future flight. I would suggest checking early each day.

Also, I book everyone's ticket separately and get a different itinerary # for each. It's a pain to get our boarding #'s but does help if the fare drops. If there is only 1 seat at the lower price, you can then move it to the lower price, vs. if there is only 1 seat at the lower price, you can't move all 3 of us unless we call and have to hope it is still available when we get to a rep. (I hope that makes sense).

 

[eeyoreland]

Well, we took the plunge. Nine of us going in January. Ages 5 to 72!!! Checked SW several weeks ago and flights were around $225. Didn't book then and they went to $320. Came down today to $256 and decided we didn't want to take any chances.

 

[sargenca]

Calling customer service is a great tip. I didn't know they would hook you up. we just flew them and had very good fares, but I did see that it dropped lower than what I paid a few times over the 6 months after I booked.

Next time I'll call!

Just so you know, you can make the change easily online if the original purchase was made online.

I saw that tip here on the DIS, and one night half asleep was able to quickly make the change myself to get a $12 per ticket credit towards a future flight. I was dreading making a call to SWA for such a small amount, especially since we will probably not use the credit...but the online change was a no-brainer!

 

[rentayenta]

I called SW yeaterday to change flight times and pay the fare increase with points. When I called yesterday they quoted me x amount of points to change. Today when I called, it's was cheaper. Keep calling and trying. I knew I'd have to pay the fare increase but was happy that it was less today than yesterday.

 

[Triple Trouble]

I saw fares went down for our late Nov. trip. You may want to check. I love the ability to update on line!

 

[HayGan]

We booked our Oct. airfare the day it was released. Since then prices have only gone up! We have since rebooked to another day and been able to get a better fare twice on that but our original times/days still remain high and I wouldn't expect them to really go down between now and Oct.

At least in PIT, SW has cornered the market on PIT-MCO flights. Therefore, they can charge higher prces and still get away with it. We had to settle for a connection on our flight down to get a price we could live with. The direct was at least $40 more per ticket. Luckily coming home we have been able to bookt he non-stop for a reasonable price but only because it is on an off-day (Monday night.)

I would strongly suggst that you book something now for Oct. that you can live with. No one is too optimistic that prices ar going to go anywhere but up really. Plus at least with SW you can get a credit if they go down.

Good luck!