Southwest for OCT

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Anyone know when we will be able to book for Oct? Right now it says they're taking ressies up to Sept. 12. I just downloaded this DING thing(don't really know how it works but I guess I'll figure it out). Is it better to book as soon as the start taking ressies or do you get a better deal if you wait. We don't usually fly so i don't know anything about this(I wish we weren't flying now b/c I'm TERRIFIED).I just want to get the best deal possible.

 

[BahamaPapa]

SW' s schedule opens about 120 days out, so it should be open soon for October. Just keep watching.

With the exception of Ding rates and some weekly specials, when the schedule opens, those are probably the lowest fares you will get. It is generally best to book immediately.

As for Ding fares, these are discounts off the advanced purchase fare. As recently as last week, these ran as much as 60% off, but now seem to only be 10% or so. For that reason, at least at the moment, Ding fares are not that great. For instance, I booked a Ding fare from IND to Sacramento Wednesday and only saved about $20 over the regular internet fare.

 

[mking624]

Sometimes it is best to wait, sometimes it is best to get it right away. We have Ding and my husband also subscribes to their enewsletter. Last year we waited on fares...and wound up getting $55 each way from Chicago to Orlando only about a month in advance by using their enewsletter promotion. This year we got Ding and as soon as we saw an excellent deal, we jumped on it (paid about $40 -tax/fees included- each way from Indianapolis to Orlando). It also depends on where you're flying from. I notice that with some locations, you may need to act more quickly, but with others, promotions are repeated a few times. That $55 each way we paid last year we even saw up to two weeks before our actual trip. But also, don't depend on those promotions to be there the closer you get to your travel date. It's always wise to err on the side of caution and book it when you get a great deal because it may not come again.