SW strategy advice PHL -MCO for Spring '08?

[carolina_yankee]

I'm booking for 4/30 outbound, 5/9 return.

Fares are $97 outbound and $109 return right now. $109 seems to be the base internet fare for those dates.

I really don't want to carry a credit since I don't know if we're going back before summer 2009, so the question for Southwest afficionados is:

Do you think there will be spring sales before long offering a decent savings (like $70s or low $80s?) or Ding fares? Dings and sales for PHL to MCO this winter have been rare and not very good, but it's also winter when everyone wants warm weather.

We're getting close to 90 days out, so I'm getting a little nervous, but I don't think the price will go higher, and every flight still has plenty of seats for my dates, but I will definitely want either the 8:50 or 12:15 flight for outbound.

Dirk

 

[Disneyhappy]

I think I would go ahead and book now if these are the flights that work for you. SW just announced a sale fare to MCO starting at $59 but the lowest fare I found out of PHL has been $99 each way. Due to gas prices, the days of really cheap SW fares seem to be much fewer and far between. I have a trip scheduled for the end of March/early April. I just checked my rates and they flight back is now $150. I paid $99 about 4 weeks ago. Last year, I would have said to hold out. This year I say book it and take a credit if the rate goes down. If you can't use the credit, maybe you can sell it to someone. So many people are now flying SW. I just bought credit from my SIL that she was not going to be able to use. (NOte-I would only buy/sell credits with someone you know very well.)

 

[CPT Tripss]

I think I would go ahead and book now if these are the flights that work for you. SW just announced a sale fare to MCO starting at $59 but the lowest fare I found out of PHL has been $99 each way. Due to gas prices, the days of really cheap SW fares seem to be much fewer and far between. I have a trip scheduled for the end of March/early April. I just checked my rates and they flight back is now $150. I paid $99 about 4 weeks ago. Last year, I would have said to hold out. This year I say book it and take a credit if the rate goes down. If you can't use the credit, maybe you can sell it to someone. So many people are now flying SW. I just bought credit from my SIL that she was not going to be able to use. (NOte-I would only buy/sell credits with someone you know very well.)

My $ numbers were different, but have the same outcome . . . prices went up. I second this advice . . . buy now, then keep looking. You can't come out worse - spending more money and you might get credit.

 

[carolina_yankee]

Thanks for the advice - I'm pretty much feeling the same way. Fuel prices and the popularity of Orlando just aren't going to be in my favor.

I actually toyed with the idea of buying the fully refundable fare so I could get the $$ back if/when the cheaper prices go down; but if they didn't go down but up, I'd still be out of $$$ and I don't want to risk paying the Business Class fully refundable fares. The benefits of sitting a few rows closer aren't worth the risk!

We're still not at the 90 day mark yet, I may hold out for a week or so. If I do go back, it will be early next January so any potential credits might get used.

Dirk

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I'm booking for 4/30 outbound, 5/9 return.

Fares are $97 outbound and $109 return right now. $109 seems to be the base internet fare for those dates.

I really don't want to carry a credit since I don't know if we're going back before summer 2009, so the question for Southwest afficionados is:

Do you think there will be spring sales before long offering a decent savings (like $70s or low $80s?) or Ding fares? Dings and sales for PHL to MCO this winter have been rare and not very good, but it's also winter when everyone wants warm weather.

We're getting close to 90 days out, so I'm getting a little nervous, but I don't think the price will go higher, and every flight still has plenty of seats for my dates, but I will definitely want either the 8:50 or 12:15 flight for outbound.

Dirk

I am in the same exact boat as you. We are also leaving from Philly 4/30 returning on 5/7. I've been checking SW and USAIR every day. I am still holding out hope that USAIR will lower their fares. Not sure about SW though.