Southwest Price Jump.....ugh!

[Karlzmom]

Caught that the schedule opened yesterday and went to price a flight for my Aunt to be able to join us for our cruise in August. Was very happy to see a $100 dollar fare for her return flight. Checked the monthly price schedule and saw $100 was very common so didn't sweat waiting to hear back from her to confirm booking it.

Fast forward to this morning and you can guess the rest of the story. Every single day that was showing $100 is now $196! The fares for all days doubled overnight......that will teach me to wait, eh! I had been holding off booking for her until S/W opened but am now thinking I should just go ahead and book on Delta or American (both are less than S/W, btw). Thoughts?

 

[2TxAgs]

I'd wait....I checked two destinations for our Oct trip and the low fare finder had the exact same fare for every day of the month. Never have I seen a month where EVERY SINGLE DAY had the same price. I think it's almost like a lazy man's way of cleaning up the slate, and changes will be made to reflect cheaper days (T, W, Sat) before the next sale starts next Tuesday. Just my guess...FWIW

 

[drusba]

Similar has happened for other times through part of November for which prices were first released yesterday. Delta and American are probably less air fare but you have to pay extra for baggage -- and if you instead carry your baggage you need to consider paying extra to avoid having to board in the last group and then find no place to put your baggage (since practically the whole world carries on their baggage now to avoid baggage fees). Nevertheless, you may not want to wait because even Delta and American could increase. Often (but not always) Southwest prices do come down again after the initial flurry but it may take a few months. Example: we flew from Chicago to Orlando in January and when they initially released fares for January, it was no less than $159 each way. We waited and then booked about four months out when going price dropped to $79 and return was $109.

 

[ICF]

I think there was a sale that ended yesterday...that could have caused the price change.