Southwest Tickets

[canwegosoon]

I have never flown SWA, but would like to. So to the experts, could you please explain what tickets I could purchase for March, when the window opens...I check every other day. I am so confused between the promotional, fun, etc. It seems to me through reading the discriptions, that the earlier you book, the higher fare you pay. Did I read this wrong? Thanking everyone in advance.

Any Tips for March purchases?

 

[Jestocost]

Southwest doesn't make flights available for purchase until 4-6 months in advance, so you won't be able to book tickets for next March until at LEAST September and probably later. The major airlines book 331 days in advance, so those tickets would be available now. You can at least look at the schedules available on SWA and see what fares are running now. Then you can get an idea if the times are any good and what fares might be.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi!
Thanks Jestocost !
Canwegosoon:
Signup for the weekly E-mail from the SWA Travel Center who will send you the latest fare sale destinations.
SALES ONLY LAST TWO-THREE DAYS MAX!
You have to act very quickly because ME and the Disboard members and others will jump on the PROMO PRONTO!
Signup for Rapid Rewards and reveiw the site every few days.
The review of SWA reveals other promos that come and go at random!
Welcome the Hunting Season for airfare!

"ENJOY!!!"

"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"

 

[Battleship Bob]

canwegosoon,

We flew SWA in early-mid March this year. Our departure date (Mar. 8) opened for booking, I believe, in mid-Sept. Our return (Mar.19) opened Oct. 16. I booked us as soon as both windows were open. The price ($801) dropped a few times and I re-booked a few times until it was down to $410 in about mid-January. This time it worked out well as we're planning a trip to San Antonio this Sept. for an Air Force boot camp graduation and the $390 in available funds will pay for the flight.

This was my first experience booking flights online and I must say it was very simple on SWA' s website, however.........next time I'll try not to jump the gun and book the minute the "windows" for the flights open. Remember that with SWA any unused funds must be used within 1 year from the date of the original reservation. Have patience and have a great trip!!!!

Bob

 

[canwegosoon]

Thanks everyone, I was away, so I missed the replies. I will be watching in Oct. and will try rebooking as cheaper tikets open up. Thanks. Has anyone ever booked one ways to take advantage of lowest fairs, instead of waiting for other dates to open. Gail you're the pro (and I think SWA should be paying you ) do you have any other advice? Thanks again Everyone.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by canwegosoon
Thanks everyone, I was away, so I missed the replies. I will be watching in Oct. and will try rebooking as cheaper tikets open up. Thanks. Has anyone ever booked one ways to take advantage of lowest fairs, instead of waiting for other dates to open. Gail you're the pro (and I think SWA should be paying you ) do you have any other advice? Thanks again Everyone.

I really cannot add anything to what you have been told. I have never booked one leg at a time, I have been very lucky that what I want seems to come out all at once.

 

[mareed]

Yes, I've booked a one-way flight for our trip there, and had to wait for later dates to be released to book our return flight. Sometimes Southwest's lowest fares will only be valid for round-trip flights, but often you can get the same low price on one-ways. Since Southwest makes it very easy to cancel a reservation and re-use funds, I'd say to go ahead and book the one-way flight, and then if a round-trip ends up being cheaper when they release later dates, just cancel and re-book the round-trip with the funds.

 

[canwegosoon]

Once again thank you everyone...I am waiting for my window to open, and I will take the leap. Thanks for all the advice.