Spirit Air - Book now or wait??

[briannesmom]

We have had our trip planned for a few months but with the recent increase in gas prices and driving a gas guzzling SUV we have decided to fly. I started checking prices this weeked and the cheapest I found for a non-stop flight from DTW to MCO was $785 through Spirit (for 3 seats). I looked again today and it is down to $758. Should I book now or wait? There are 3 different flights available for each leg of our trip so I am not too worried about them selling out in the next few days. Any opinions?


Amy

 

[LoriKutchey]

I would probably book the tickets. Usually the best times fill up rather quickly with spirit. We are going this Saturday and I booked these tickets last september @133.00 per person (this included all airport fee's & taxes) So for 4 tickets we paid $532.00 I figured it wasn't going to get any cheaper than that!
Good Luck!

Lori

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest keep looking for at least a few days. You also might look at flying either a day earlier or a day later each way, it could make a significant difference.

Another thing to consider would be total time and cost by method. For driving you would probably have to figure on an overnight stop as well as gas and possibly tolls. Flying would include the cost of parking at (or taxi to/from) the airport and also getting between the airport and WDW (rental or limo/taxi)

 

[OhMari]

Look again Wednesday morning. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings usually are the lowest rates you can find during the week.

 

[grammagail]

I responded to a similar post you had on another board.

Check www.spiritair.com. Really easy to plug in your dates, # of passengers, etc. to check airfare.

From your countdown - looks like you're leaving 7/4 (?) - if so - they have one way fares for $100. - 3 or 4 flights (I forget now) leaving daily. Don't know when you are returning home - but you can plug in those dates and see what the return fare is - most of them were around the $100.00 mark also.

That would be $200/person r/t - not bad. We paid $170.50 back in November (cheapest I've found so far for our dates) - we're leaving 6/22 and returning 6/28,

Where are you from in Michigan - we're from Macomb Township.

 

[4boys4me]

Flint to Orlando down to 201.00 today, for some reason flying out of Flint is cheaper than DTW. And hopefully the airport is smaller and easier to navigate, park, etc.

Rates were at $173.00 a few weeks back, hopefully the jump is temporary and they'll come down. I'm waiting it out for our October trip.

 

[grammagail]

I also agree with Cheshire Figment - by the time you figure the cost of gas round trip (and the kind of gas mileage you get), 1 night's hotel cost, 2 days of travel with at least 2 (maybe 3) meals each day - you might only be paying a little more to fly - and you're there in 2 1/2 hours - not 2 1/2 days

Good luck.

 

[DianeV]

I was in the same boat as you...wanting to wait it out as we leave on 6/30. I went for it and booked Spirit yesterday for $218 each and then 3 hours later Northwest lowered their prices. I would have rather flown Northwest but we are stuck now. I would suggest checking Northwest and see if they are any different then Spirit.

I just figured that they arent going to go much lower..they havent been under $200 in months

 

[tenaseewalker]

If you fly out of Flint you will get a better rate. Try looking at www.airtran.com (at Bishop Airport which is in Flint). I have been checking for the last 2 weeks and I even checked for the week of the 4th of July and got a price of $89.00 one way for a round trip ticket.

 

[briannesmom]

Glad I didn't book this morning, prices have already dropped some more



I forgot to say in my origional post that the total included all taxes and fees etc. Our price for the return flight is still $134 pp (7/17). When I checked on Sunday our flight to Orlando (7/4) was $109, this afternoon it was $100, now it is $93! That makes it $227 pp. I will probably book it in the morning. I read in another post that some airlines offer infant fares at half price I am going to call in the morning to see if Spirit does this. My almost 1 year old has way too much energy to sit on our laps for 2 1/2 hours but calms right down in her car seat.

Thank you everyone for your help!

Grammagail - We are in Eastpointe, not too far from you. Hope you have a great trip!

Amy

 

[briannesmom]

Thanks Tenaseewalker! When I checked Airtran last week they were about the same price as Spirit but did not have any non-stop flights. I just looked after I read your post and they have non stop both ways for a total of $198. As soon as DH gets home from work I will see how he feels about a drive to Flint.


Amy

 

[DianeV]

Yes prices DID go down today. I called Spirit and we each have a voucher for $14 waiting for us to use now..ours went from $218 to $204. I just wish we could have gotten the money instead..oh well.

My hubby vetoed the Flint drive by the way!

Also FYI..I asked while on the phone and the guy told me that both Detroit and Orlando have curbside service. ORlando is only from 9am - 3:30pm however and Detroit is all the time.

 

[tenaseewalker]

Hey DianeV,
I'm originally from Redford, 7 and Inkster... Small World!!!

 

[DianeV]

Tenasee: Yes small world! We are down by Plymouth and beech but my inlaws live in Livonia by 7 & Inskter!

 

[grammagail]

Originally posted by DianeV
Yes prices DID go down today. I called Spirit and we each have a voucher for $14 waiting for us to use now..ours went from $218 to $204. I just wish we could have gotten the money instead..oh well.

My hubby vetoed the Flint drive by the way!

Also FYI..I asked while on the phone and the guy told me that both Detroit and Orlando have curbside service. ORlando is only from 9am - 3:30pm however and Detroit is all the time.

I've been trying to find this info out. I already did my on-line seat assignment and just printed out my boarding passes (both legs of the trips). I was wondering if I could take advantage of curb side service - to avoid waiting in the "ticket line" to check my luggage. Unfortunately, looks like the Orlando leg won't help - our flight doesn't leave until 7:40 pm

 

[tenaseewalker]

DianeV,
I lived on Poinciana between Grand River and 7 Mile. I lived there for almost 20 years. Maybe I know your in-laws.

 

[DianeV]

tenasee: They live on the other side of Inkster..on the Livonia side