Southwest Tickets

[DJT]

We have a chance to fly to Orlando the third week of January. We will have a free place to stay and free transportation upon arrival. The only problem is that this opportunity just presented itself and Southwest doesn't have a sale from our departure city right now. Because this trip is sort of a spur-of-the-moment trip, air fare is rather high. I wondered if anyone knows from past history if there might be a chance that Southwest will have a sale this close to the third week of January departure date.

 

[Trekker]

I do not know much about southwest - but here is a bump up - maybe some one else knows!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You never know, they do some wild things. Just keep checking, they do start their sales every Tuesday. Good luck.

 

[sgtdisney]

Have you checked other airlines as well? It looks like you are in Indiana, do you fly out of Indianapolis or Midway? You could try ATA from either of those airports. I just purchased tickets on American Airlines for mid January for a trip to visit family in Ft. Lauderdale and only paid 166.00 per person. Not the best fare I have ever gotten but not bad considering it is less than 3 weeks away...

 

[dcedwards]

If you keep checking their website for ticketless travel sometimes you can find some pretty good specials that aren't advertised. I did that for my mother-in-law in late October. Typically tickets were about $200 RT but when I checked the site they were running a promotion where I got themfor $130. So one just never knows. But, the website is the best place. And the special run from Tues to Thursday so be sure to check then.

 

[Gary M]

DJT, ATA and Delta have non-stop flights from IND to MCO and have some very good rates for several dates in later January. What dates do you want to fly? I just checked random dates of Jan. 20-25 from IND to MCO the fare was $141.50 r/t.(ATA). Try www.ata.com and see what you come-up with. Sometimes you can change your dates of travel by just a day or so and save a bundle.

 

[DJT]

Thanks so much, Trekker, for the bump up.
Gail, I'll check on Tuesday and hope for a special!
Sgtdisney, we fly out of Louisville since we are right across the river from there. Indianapolis is about a two hour drive from here.
Gary M., thanks for the link to ATA but it looks like they don't fly out of Louisville.
Southwest and Delta both have non-stop flights. I prefer Southwest because Delta's non-stop flights are now in 48 passenger planes. I just don't like those small planes.
I'll keep checking Southwest's website and hope to find a good deal. Thanks everyone for all your information and help!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

DJT
You can sign up on Southwest's site for email updates. They send them out Tuesday. Sometimes the sale is for a long period of time, sometimes just Tues-Thurs., and sometimes a combo of both. Good luck.

 

[debster812]

Ditto to Gail about signing up for the email list on SWA.

I am on it and because of it, got in on the $79 each way promo from Providence to MCO in January.

keep checking, you may be pleasantly surprised!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I am on it and because of it, got in on the $79 each way promo from Providence to MCO in January.

Good going!!!!! 333.00 for two rt all taxes from BDL to MCO in Feb. It would have been lower had I not had to book a flight that stops in Baltimore. That adds another take off fee to the price.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Another suggestion w/ SWA if you can fly often is that you can rebook for a lower fare, then get a credit to use within 1 year.

In other words, watch the fares, and go for the highest you are willing to pay for the flights you want. Then keep checking, and if they go down, you can cancel for a credit and rebook for the lower fare. You would have to use that credit within one year of the original purchase.

DH and I use SWA at least a couple of times a year, so it is worth it to do this. Every time I think I have identified a pattern with their prices, I prove myself wrong, so this has given me more peace of mind.

If you are nervous about trying this, you can always call the 800 # and have a rep assist you with the process. I've done this and saved $78 the first time and $60 the second. And applying the credit next time was a breeze!

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Mrs.Snowgod is totally correct!!!! SWA makes it incredibly easy to switch to lower fares or a more convienant departure time or location. No penalties (unless the fare has gone up and you still only pay the difference) and, if you cannot use the credit in the next year, you can transfer it or sometimes even get an extension.