SW prices are outrageous! Why??

[Mom 2 Two]

For our Dec. dates, airfare is $230 roundtrip. We have never paid that much. What's the deal? Our airfare in July was only in the $150 range. That was a ding fare. I sure hope we can get a good ding! I would think airfare would be most expensive during the summer, the high tourist travel times. Does anyone have any input? Any predictions?

 

[shopn24seven]

Thank YOU....
The rates are through the roof right now.
I paid 140 pp for our August trip (69 each way + taxes).

I am TRYING to plan a first week in DEC trip and the rates leaving PHL range from 79 (LATE night flights) - 143 (EARLY am trips) .
Returns are 79.00, not that bad....

I have not booked YET....

 

[DisNae]

wow, only 79???? here I am trying to buy airfare and all I can find for St. Louis is 94 each way! I'd kill for 79.

 

[shopn24seven]

Keep looking every 24 hours, because it changes every DAY.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Mom 2 Two,

I'm stressing over flights for our December trip also. SW out of PHL is super expensive this year, and of course this is the year that we invited friends to join us, so I have to find airfare for 8 people.

I've considered other airlines, but I honestly don't trust AirTran with all their time changes, and really don't care for US Air. So I'm sticking with SW and praying that their rates will come down soon.

Hang in there. Alot of us are suffering along with you!

 

[shopn24seven]

MICKEYCRAZED,

we fly out of PHL, too.
I agree the prices are CRAZY.
I even considered flying out of AC, LOL.

 

[philadelphiadad]

A few months back we found a rate of $59 each way on Airtran from Dec 6-13th out of Phila. I wanted to book with Southwest but they were way too high so we went with Airtran.

I don't see the $59 rate anymore but I do see $79 each way

 

[MickeyCrazed]

I even considered flying out of AC, LOL.

So have I. But then I have to factor in the cost of transportation to another airport, because we don't have a vehicle big enough to fit all of us. That cost and the added travel time really puts a damper on that option.

As Pooh would say... OH Bother!

I'm starting to feel all doom and gloomy like eeyore!

 

[shopn24seven]

I think we need to be just a bit more patient and I think the rates will go down just a little bit....
I could pay 79.00 right NOW, but I don't wait t fly at 8pm. LOL.

 

[DebbieB]

$230 roundtrip is outrageous? I'd consider that average. SW is running $269 PIT-MCO for early December. In June it was running $350-$400, I was lucky to get a free rapid rewards ticket.

 

[shopn24seven]

WOW.
Use to paying 200.00 pp rt.
CHEAPEST I have found for 2 is 358.00 from PHL to MCO.

 

[Mom 2 Two]

Yes out of Nashville it is outrageous! It is about $100 more per person than I was expecting especially since we just flew in July. The most I have ever paid was $250 pp in July 05. I was just wondering if there is any gossip of fares going down or why they are higher than usual.

 

[jinia]

wow, only 79???? here I am trying to buy airfare and all I can find for St. Louis is 94 each way! I'd kill for 79.

Were in Fenton and we've decided the only way we can go is to drive!

 

[Lintasare]

I wouldn't consider $230 round trip outrageous. In fact for any airline that is a very good roundtrip fare.

One of the reasons is that while Southwest hedged their fuel costs a few years ago and where paying cheaper than market rates when prices spiked those contracts or at least some of them have expired and they now have to pay the same prices as everyone else.

 

[wdwfan1]

We booked at $260 RT. The same flights are $364 now. I am glad I booked the day the fares were released. It seemed expensive at the time, but it is looking good at this point!

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm guessing that SW is betting that consumer spending and sentiment will have recovered by December, so they don't need to fire-sale fares as they did over the summer. You could wait them out and bet they are wrong, but if you lose, it will be an expensive mistake.

If it were me, I'd take the $230. It's not a bargain-basement fare, but it's not what I'd call outrageous either.

 

[kimkatmom]

Brainy me -- Because we had to use some DVC points before 11/30, I planned a vacation starting on 11/27, the day after Thanksgiving!

Because the gas started going up in July, we decided to "bite the bullet" and purchase our airfare through Southwest [because I refuse to pay for my luggage!]. We paid $149 from SFO to MCO and $284 coming back. OUCH! But, we also know that Southwest will not "refund" but will hold in a credit account the difference in $$ if you find a lower fare through Southwest.

Currently, we have the following airfare: $116 from OAK to MCO and $99 from MCO to SMF. The balance of the funds are being held by SW and we will use them for future travel. I have changed our air transportation four times since the original booking. The customer service at Southwest can't be beat.

As an aside, our airfare "going", OAK to MCO is now $194. I like $116 better. You just have to know that Southwest changes their airfare on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. As a matter of fact, I have noticed changes several times a day on those days. Further, I will be on the computer this Tuesday and Wednesday trying to get my "going" airfare lower.

Leslye

 

[duffy]

$230 roundtrip is outrageous? I'd consider that average. SW is running $269 PIT-MCO for early December. In June it was running $350-$400, I was lucky to get a free rapid rewards ticket.

I'm not sure where in Pa. you live, but you're flying out of Pittsburgh? We're in Johnstown, it's a 2-hour drive to Pittsburgh's airport for us, and it's also a 2-hour drive to Hagerstown. We're driving to Hagerstown and using Allegiant Airlines.

Our tickets cost about $175 each, round-trip. We would have even cheaper tickets, but my sister wants to sit with her kids, and I am going to sit near her, with my own daughter. That meant paying to choose our own seats. If it was just me and my husband, I'd save and sit wherever!! We're also not using any checked luggage, to save more $$.

Allegiant only flies to Sanford, so we're going to rent a car. We also have much more limited flights. We are going down on Fri., Nov. 27th and returning on Fri., Dec. 4th.

True, we can't get the free Magical Express, but we're still saving money. Hagerstown has free parking, so that's even better!