SW fares up again

[boomhauer]

Been checking daily for cheaper fares, and just noticed, all fares high as they were, went up an additional $5.

They're starting to get a bit carried away now. As of right now, they are certainly not one of the "low cost carriers" anymore.

 

[PlutoPony]

Must not be an across the board thing - at least yet. Still seeing $49 each way from Dulles at the end of August....

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

I agree...there have been no low fares from MDW to MCO yet this year for August...it's even cheaper to fly from Milwaukee on Midwest then it is on SW!!!

 

[Bouncing4Tigger]

I still find Southwest cheaper for the Boston area. I live only about 20 miles from Boston, about an hour from Manchester. I always go with whoever is cheaper. And Southwest is definatly cheaper.
So maybe it is location that is the difference.

 

[CarolA]

Remember "low cost" was never meant to apply to fares it applied to the "cost" structure for SW which was lower then the "older" airlines which allowed them to charge less.

As others have pointed out on this board a variety of factors have started to raise SW's costs in line with everyone elses. (In addition, the bankruptcy filings by DL, NW and USAir have allowed them to lower thier costs closer to SW) SW's pilots and FAs are gaining seniority. As a result, the "avg" wage to fly the plane has increased as they have hit the top of those contracts. SW's very brilliant move of fuel hedges has run it's course. No one was willing to give SW cheap hedges anymore as they were losing money supplying SW on the old deal.... Fuel costs are way up....

SW may not always be the low fare leader, but I love some of thier other practices. IMHO the no penalty for changing flights is great! I don't like paying DL the $50 change fee!!

 

[kmjmom]

I was losing hope with Ding for flights from Hartford, but they restored my faith yesterday. I rebooked two flights for a whopping $101 credit! Roundtrip to Tampa from Hartford $74 each way is a great deal!! Now just looking for a return flight from MCO for August and I'll be ecstatic!

 

[IggyLans]

I agree...there have been no low fares from MDW to MCO yet this year for August...it's even cheaper to fly from Milwaukee on Midwest then it is on SW!!!

SW just had a DING for MDW to MCO Aug-Oct for $74/ea way on Friday. I don't think they'll get much lower than that, but one can hope.

 

[Liz]

I've been watching ours too and they went up about $5 like you said.

For us at least, Delta's bankruptcy didn't do anything to lower their fares. We used to fly them exclusively for around $250 rt but now flights from Salt Lake City to Orlando are always $400-500 (for when we need to go at least).

 

[GolfCrazy]

So far so good here in Philly. Ever since SW has been here (two years or so) we have never paid more than $120 round trip (after taxes)...which is usually that $49 one-way fare. And we have paid as low as $80 round trip. We have probably flown SW a half dozen times so far to WDW. Up until now, it has just been a matter of watching the rates closely and listening for the dings.....though the dings are much less frequent than they used to be.

Though, until I find something better, we'll stick with them. In addition to the good rates, the flights have all been ahead of schedule and the crew has always been entertaining. For example our last trip in June, we were almost 30 minutes early into both Orlando and Philly (onthe way back). Overall, definitely SW fans in the house!

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with GolfCrazy.....SW can't be beat out of PHL......however, I've just begun looking for prices in early January and one thing I've have noticed......we always book one ways initially so we can take advantage of any DING's that may be for either portion of our trip, but, not the other........the fare structure for one ways in January is about $38 higher than purchasing round trip. I can get round trip for $78 each way plus taxes, but, when I plug in one way fares it goes up to $116 each way plus taxes.......since everything is still wide open for our dates I think I'lll wait a bit and see what happens........I don't mind paying the higher price since I know we'll be traveling again within 12 months and can use the credit if the price comes down, but, this is just something SW hasn't done in the past......maybe a few bucks more for ow's but never $38?????

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

I was losing hope with Ding for flights from Hartford, but they restored my faith yesterday. I rebooked two flights for a whopping $101 credit! Roundtrip to Tampa from Hartford $74 each way is a great deal!! Now just looking for a return flight from MCO for August and I'll be ecstatic!

Yup, was happy to see the 4th of July Orlando-Hartford DING, the one and only Ding there's been for our dates and location. Could only book our Tuesday flight home (way down not covered) but I'll take the $100 savings over the $99 fares we'd had. Total RT including taxes/fees for the 4 of us = $735.16, which is better than the only other carrier that flies direct non-stop Hartford-Orlando, Delta.

Yes, yes, last year when we flew SW down to Orlando in May we got $59 per person each way, but paying under $800 for the 4 of us to go next month is A O.K. with me.

 

[boomhauer]

I still find Southwest cheaper for the Boston area. I live only about 20 miles from Boston, about an hour from Manchester. I always go with whoever is cheaper. And Southwest is definatly cheaper.
So maybe it is location that is the difference.

I live in Worcester, so I check Providence and Manchester. I paid about $64 each way for end of July. Problem is, fares went up and we wanted 2 more tickets. But that's my own fault for waiting.

As for December, I still have hope the fares may drop. I'll give it until September, and if not, go with a different airline.

SW has other things going. I love not being charged to change flights and their credit system works really well. However, if it came down to flying Jet Blue, Delta or SW and they were all the same price, SW would be the last choice.

 

[keishashadow]

Yesterday when i went to purchase portion of trip for Dec. I noticed they went up the $5 too - natch . Guess i'll wait a bit longer.

They now average $30 one way more than AT out of PIT.

However, combined with the fact that they don't change flight times or cancel them outright ala AT

&

the flexibility to cancel & receive credits

still puts them ahead of the pack imo.

I've still got AT vouchers i'm working to utilize, then it'll be strictly SW for us.

Does get irritating that Philie, across the state, gets such great $49 fares

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Have you tried Baltimore? Is that far for you? They have a few more flights per day than Philly and usually are priced same or a tiny bit higher than Philly. Still a bargain and way easier than driving.

 

[MrMarv]

CarolA's response is flawless!!!!

SW has changed the airfare structure for keeps within the US, and the boom-and-bust cycle of the airline biz in general (normal operations/bankruptcy restructuring/normal operations....) has and will always be the MO for the airline industry.

Their hedges for fuel are just about gone, and since CEO Gary Kelly said that he doesn't expect to see gas prices come down in the foreseeable future, just grab the first great fare that you see, and set up a DING in case the fare drops.

Another poster reported snagging a $178.00 R/T fare from Reno to Orlando last week, so the deals are still out there.

 

[KJF]

SW out of Philly does have great fares - til the end of Oct. My dates Nov 2-10, are terrible. They went $202 to come back on the 10th. Really hoping the other fares open up - watching & waiting. Luckily, I booked the trip down on the 2nd earlier when the dates were only open til the 3rd - got it for $84 each, which to me still isn't great, but better than what we're seeing now.