Southwest price help

[kymmyk13]

We are flying from Birmingham, AL to Orlando in October. We leave on a Friday and return on a Sunday. I have been checking prices everyday for over a month and it has been $100 each way the whole time.

I just checked and my return flight just went up to $122. I am not sure what to do. It is just me and DD7 flying. I don’t think we will be flying again in the next year so the credit won’t really help if I buy now and prices go down. I have not flown in over 6 years so I don’t know how the current prices work anymore. What should I do?

 

[jdb35633]

Not sure this will help but the last time Southwest advertised a sale we were able to get tickets from BHM to MCO for $69 each way - this was about 6 weeks before our travel date. So you might still see a price drop in the next few weeks!

 

[Msmit002]

I agree with PP. Just this morning I received e-mail from SW advertising price drops for flights ending July 4 (basically, 6 weeks out.) For my area, flights from BWI-MCO went from $158 per leg to $130.

So, if you *can* wait, you will probably see a drop. But of course, you might also run into your flight being sold out. Its always a crap shoot.

 

[BelleBeast]

I doubt you will see a price drop..considering you are flying on a Friday and a Sunday.
Those days are typically higher than others. Tuesday and Wenesdays are the cheapest days on Southwest..and lower fares are usually always Fly on Tuesdays.

IF I were you..I would book before gas prices go up anymore.

 

[jenseib]

If prices drop and you go in and get the credit...When does the years time start to use it? From when you origionally booked? when you make the change or from your flgiht date?
I'm thnking of booking now at $143 one way. My trip home prices aren't out yet, but if I can get credit and use it towards that, great...if I ook before I buy my return flight, I want to be sure I have plenty of time to use it. I don't want to book now and then have to travel a year from today, as I most likely wouldn't go that soon again, but if I could go a year from when I fly, that would work. Or even a year from the summer months (if i can change the price then) would be better.

 

[twinklebug]

I agree with PP. Just this morning I received e-mail from SW advertising price drops for flights ending July 4 (basically, 6 weeks out.) For my area, flights from BWI-MCO went from $158 per leg to $130.

So, if you *can* wait, you will probably see a drop. But of course, you might also run into your flight being sold out. Its always a crap shoot.

That's funny because I got the same email about the 'sale' and our prices (PVD-MCO) went UP from $140 to $155. In the past year they've been on a steady incline, each jump coming with an announcement that leads us to believe the prices have dropped & anyone who's not keeping track will believe it.

 

[backyardponder]

If prices drop and you go in and get the credit...When does the years time start to use it? From when you origionally booked? when you make the change or from your flgiht date?
I'm thnking of booking now at $143 one way. My trip home prices aren't out yet, but if I can get credit and use it towards that, great...if I ook before I buy my return flight, I want to be sure I have plenty of time to use it. I don't want to book now and then have to travel a year from today, as I most likely wouldn't go that soon again, but if I could go a year from when I fly, that would work. Or even a year from the summer months (if i can change the price then) would be better.

1 year from the date of the initial purchase. Also, the ticket booked with the credit must be for the same person the initial ticket was purchased for.

 

[jenseib]

1 year from the date of the initial purchase. Also, the ticket booked with the credit must be for the same person the initial ticket was purchased for.

Ok, now I need to decide if I should wait or not. Everything I hear is that prices will drop closer to the election.

 

[ToddyLu]

I have already purchased SW flights for my BIL to join us in October----BHM to MCO. When I saw I could get him there non stop for $100, I jumped on it. He is flying through New Orleans with us going home and then on to BHM for $133. I then got him the EBCI both ways so I thought $253 round trip was not bad.

Our flights out of New Orleans for the same time were $152 each way.

I never see sales for SW on Friday/Saturdays--only Tuesdays/Wednesdays

We leave in 10 days and flights are now $200 and we I got them several months ago they were $134 I think. I would get them now if you have it in your budget and then get a credit if it drops lower. JMO.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks. I do plan to fly in on a Friday.
I just want to be clear on the credit thing though. So if I buy now and the price drops... I get credit.I have to use it one year from now. Do I have to actually fly one year from now or have something booked by the 1 year marK? I assume it's actually flying by that time.

 

[DVC-Don]

The flight has to be completed within a year of original purchase.

 

[Msmit002]

That's funny because I got the same email about the 'sale' and our prices (PVD-MCO) went UP from $140 to $155. In the past year they've been on a steady incline, each jump coming with an announcement that leads us to believe the prices have dropped & anyone who's not keeping track will believe it.

To which I cannot disagree. But since I have been watching closely, this was one of those rare times this year where there was a drop. (Unfortunately, went back to $158 this morning.) Also, when looking at SW's "Low Fare Calendar" there was a trend showing lower fares at the 6 week mark. At least for BWI-MCO flights.

After watching gas prices fall here in the DC Metro are over the last week, I keep hoping this will also reflect in flight rates.

 

[theatermouse]

There can be weekend rates. I'm flying SW next month & my Saturday fly out fare is $65, up from what it was when I was originally pricing the trip. Deals are usually released on Tuesdays and last 2 days, or that's what I've been noticing anyway.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We fly out of MCI (KC) so it may not help, but this year the prices have dropped as we approach the flight date (unlike the last few years for us). We are two weeks from our flight, and in the last couple weeks fares have come down a little. (we are flying Tues-Wed)

I wouldn't want to count on that, though, and would book as soon as the cost is in line with what you are willing to pay. For us, it was the St. Paddy's Day sale - $123 each way. We never get under $100 each way out of KC nowadays, even when all others are getting the $69 fares.