Southwest Trends- I know you guys know them :)

[Bitsmommy]

Hey guys! We are traveling from Nashville to orlando 9/28 and returning 10/11. I have been watching our flight prices and they seem to be going up. Currently, it is going to cost us about 1300 to fly. Family of 4. Usually, we purchase our tickets as soon as they are on sale for those dates. Using the..."they have no where to go, but up. Supply and demand logic." Well, we were burned with a ding a month or two before travel each time- in 2008 and 2010. This year, because of gas prices, I am wondering if we are wrong to wait and see if there is a Ding or similar promotion. My youngest child has been very ill and in the hospital a lot and I have not had time to follow trends, ect. So, my question is, what have you all been noticing regarding promotional trends with Southwest?? Have they been running a Ding promotion in the months prior to travel or are we better served purchasing tickets as soon as we can afford them (probably May) and hoping for the best?? Any advise would be great!! Thanks!!


***ETA: If I put this in the wrong spot I am really sorry . I wasn't sure if the sticky thread was just regarding codes, ect. I live off Mt. Dew and Chocolate Milk Shakes these days due to lack of sleep

 

[IDoDis]

Southwest buys their fuel years in advance which was one reason why their fares stayed low a couple of years ago while the other airlines were hurting. When their pre-purchase fuel was gone, they had to buy at a higher price. I don't know what that price was, but the gas prices right now shouldn't be affecting their ticket prices too much.

Your best days to travel are on Tuesday & Wednesday which are also the days when they have sales. I bought tickets at what I thought was a lower price than what I had been seeing, but then the price has come down a couple of times since then. Now the price is back up again. So keep checking mid-week for their click-n-save specials.

Also, the fares you see now include all airport fees which used to be added in after you chose your flights. That's one reason you are seeing higher prices. The fares are higher overall than than in the past so the trend in price is going upward in general though.

 

[Bitsmommy]

Southwest buys their fuel years in advance which was one reason why their fares stayed low a couple of years ago while the other airlines were hurting. When their pre-purchase fuel was gone, they had to buy at a higher price. I don't know what that price was, but the gas prices right now shouldn't be affecting their ticket prices too much.

Your best days to travel are on Tuesday & Wednesday which are also the days when they have sales. I bought tickets at what I thought was a lower price than what I had been seeing, but then the price has come down a couple of times since then. Now the price is back up again. So keep checking mid-week for their click-n-save specials.

Also, the fares you see now include all airport fees which used to be added in after you chose your flights. That's one reason you are seeing higher prices. The fares are higher overall than than in the past so the trend in price is going upward in general though.

Thanks!!! I think that the best thing to to right now is keep an eye on the price and Go for it when I think that I have gotten to my lowest price. Hopefully, I won't end up "dinged." I did our budget and told my husband that he would be getting family airline tickets to Disney for his BDay in May. Maybe earlier?? I hope. We don't do credit cards, so it takes time

 

[conniehar90]

I have noticed that the fares usually drop about 6-8 weeks out from the trip. Now, that is cutting it too close for me so I usually buy when they come out and get a credit when they drop.

For our spring break trip next week, the fares dropped significantly in December so much further out than 8 weeks. I originally had a 1 stop flight both ways and was able to change it to a nonstop both ways and add an extra day - for the same price.

I have never found a decent DING to Orlando after watching for many years so I never look anymore.

Good luck - it sure is a game!