SW Need some help deciding.....

[AngieInOH]

I just got a DING rate the other day for $54 from Columbus, OH to Orlando for Nov 13. The problem is I couldn't get that rate for my return flight on Nov 22 (because the DING only went through Nov 17). I've been keeping an eye on the Nov 22 rates and am noticing a very gradual increase in rates, Just went from $117 to $120.

Should I book at the $120 rate or wait for a system wide special or DING? I know I could book now and if a better rate comes available get a credit but we won't be flying anywhere to use the credit.

 

[mom2of2]

Book it and then if the fare comes down get your CC refunded. SW will do that, you just have to ask

 

[CarolA]

November 22 is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.... I would book NOW! What happens is that the Wed (23rd) which is the single busiest travel day each year books up with both "cheap fares" and all fares... that creates overflow to Tuesday!

Now, depending on your fare you may or may NOT get a cc refund. The terms on all but the full price fares indicate you won't. Folks here have reported success in getting the refunds, but SW is not required to give you anything but a credit according to the ticket terms..

 

[AngieInOH]

Anyone have any experience with getting a refund even though SW is not entitled to give you one?

 

[SB in KY]

I got a refund a couple of years ago from SW on a fare that went down (I think it was a fun fare that went down in price...same fare class, just a lower price)...but I sure would NOT count on that happening between now and this Thanksgiving. I would go ahead and book those fares for 11/22 post haste if it was me....here's why..
1. Fuel costs are sky high and all of the legacy carriers announced last week they were increasing fares....so it seems unlikely there is much reason for SW to cut base fares.

2. The entire travel industry has had a record breaking year. Attendance records at WDW are being broken right and left. Lots more people are travelling this year than in the past 5 to 6 years.

3. Wed 11/23 will be the second busiest air travel day of the year....which means that by default 11/22 will probably be in the top 15 to 20 busiest travel days of the year...so the chances of anyone offering a cheapo fare during a busy holiday are slim to none (the reason that DINGS are only going until 11/17 - I think is because they will probably not offer anything spectacular from 11/17 through 11/28 or 11/29 because of the Thanksgiving holiday rush....especially to/from a market like MCO)

It is really a gamble...book now and get times/flights you want and pay a moderate price or wait it out and maybe get another great deal (although that possibility seems really remote to me) and risk paying much greater prices for less desirable times/flights.

BTW....when I looked at SW web site there are already several flights from MCO to Columbus that are sold out of the lowest offered fare on 11/22. The non-stop is still available at the lowest fare...but I think it is a good bet that they will not put a super low DING out later for a date that is already booked for the low priced seats!!

 

[AngieInOH]

OK, I'm thinking I shouldn't be waiting for a DING. I possibly might give it a couple more weeks to see if they have some sort of system wide sale. If not I think I'll book by the end of the month. Of course I'll keep a close eye on prices. I'm only willing to gamble a little longer because I've found several other airlines that are around the $120 rate with plenty of seats available.

Thanks for everyone's responses!