SWA Feb. rates

[Mom 2 Two]

I am beginning to get worried. We have not purchased airfare for our Feb 3-11 trip yet waiting for southwest to run a special. We are flying out of Nashville. I know that rates in Jan are really low but what about Feb? Am I fooling myself thinking rates are going to go down? When we flew to WDW in July last year we paid about $250 pp roundtrip. I just knew we would get a better deal flying in the off season. I have been watching dings when I can but even the ones I have seen have been thru Jan 31st. What do you guys think? I need some reassurance big time. Thanks Karla

 

[R&J]

I'd like some reassurance as well!!

I too have been checking for a great Feb rate...although at this point I'll settle for "decent". We'd fly from Buffalo (we live in the GTA, in Canada). I'm aiming for Feb 3 or 4 for a week, trying to avoid President's Day, but we have a bit of flexibility although DH's secretary is anxious for me to pin down exact dates so she can finalize his schedule.

Here's hoping there's a good ding! soon

 

[B.Mary]

There's a sale on right now that includes Nashville to Tampa Bay for $49. I have booked to Tampa Bay right now (from Baltimore -- also $49 -- we were going to rent a car anyway) and if a sale comes up to Orlando I'll switch my flights. I have a car reserved for Orlando too, just in case.

Buffalo to Tampa Bay is $49 too!

 

[Mom 2 Two]

Thanks for the idea. Does anyone have any idea what rental car rates are? We usually do not rent because we stay on property and use Disney transportation. It would be nice to have a car if it saved us money. What rental company is the best and any secrets to getting a great rate? Thanks.

 

[canwegosoon]

Thanks for the idea. Does anyone have any idea what rental car rates are? We usually do not rent because we stay on property and use Disney transportation. It would be nice to have a car if it saved us money. What rental company is the best and any secrets to getting a great rate? Thanks.

http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html
You have to spend a little while and check out the prices...but I have found for me...I get the best overall weekly rate with National or Dollar and Alamo for a single daily rental. I use www.sidestep.com to do a quick car search and then apply the codes to the cheapest 2-3 companies. But read Mary's advice first.

 

[canwegosoon]

Does it have to be SWA?? You might want to use www.sidestep.com or www.itasoftware.com to research your flights. Subscribe to orbitz deal finder and travelzoo so you can get a good fare if any are release around the holiday. I know 2 years ago I got a great price on Christmas Eve for a early March vacation...so keep checking or adjust your dates by a day or two. Good luck. I will check when I get back. You did see my retirement/resignation thread right

 

[canwegosoon]

NWA has great times for 93pp + txs/fees for tl of 130pp, Payless has cheapest car rental of approx 170 (midsize) for your entire time or you can look at renting a car from Tampa to WDW and WDW to Tampa.
Your best rates to MCO at the moment are $265pp inc txs...so tampa would be a big savings.

 

[Mom 2 Two]

Thanks Canwegosoon, I have never used those 2 sites before. They are great. The DIS is full of great info like that. I really want to fly into Orlando though. There will be 8 total in our party-three kids ages 2,3,5. I just think it will be so much easier to hop on the bus and arrive at the resort. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for someone to lower rates into Orlando. Yes, I did see your retirement thread. I am glad you made an exception and decided to help me... I need all the help I can get(ha ha). Merry Christmas!!

 

[canwegosoon]

Thanks Canwegosoon, I have never used those 2 sites before. They are great. The DIS is full of great info like that. I really want to fly into Orlando though. There will be 8 total in our party-three kids ages 2,3,5. I just think it will be so much easier to hop on the bus and arrive at the resort. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for someone to lower rates into Orlando. Yes, I did see your retirement thread. I am glad you made an exception and decided to help me... I need all the help I can get(ha ha). Merry Christmas!!

Well I am not in retirement for Dis friends...I am keeping my fingers crossed for you for a sale coming up. Besure to subscribe to Orbitz fare finder and travelzoo (and DING of course)...and you will get something.!!!!

 

[Mom 2 Two]

Just wanted to update on our airfare situation. We got a ding rate yeserday- Christmas day- for 85pp round trip Nashville to Orlando. We had to change our dates by one day (instead of travelling Feb 3-11 we are now going Feb 2-10). We are so excited!!! Thanks everyone here for all the great advice!!

 

[jlbower79]

I use SW dings and I'm flying Jan 28th - Feb 3rd from new Orleans... and I booked mine the FIRST time they had anything for Feb 3rd and that was a week after I got the Jan 28th fare. I paid around 90 bucks each way per person... well about a week and ahalf ago they had a ding for 30 dollars.. so I even got to rebook and get refunded... so that was only 60 bucks each way per person! I say don't give up! As long as you book the same flight (times/date) you can get refunded later if they avhe something cheaper, I believe! That's what they did with me. Haven't seen very many Feb 3rd dates here either, but every once in awhile one pops up. I think as it hits January you will see TONS more, then those waiting for March Dings will be in your shoes!

Jaime

by the way, I had booked my Jan 28th two weeks before Feb 3rd because that's how long it took them to get a ding on Feb 3rd.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

How does Ding work? Thanks

 

[jlbower79]

Ding is a fare program you can download at southwests website... it then puts this "wing" thingy on your taskbar (by your clock) and everyday you will get a "Ding" and sometimes you can get up to 3-4 but same days you get but only 1. Then you click your 'wing' thing when it dings (it you don't hear a ding you will see a tiny note on the wing) you double click it and it brings you to southwest ding site where you check to see what ding specials they have for you. It took me forever to see any dings because I use New Orleans and after Hurricane Katrina there were no dings for months! Anyways... the key to ding is be patient! One will come! I think I'll always use ding from now on!

I did get tickets for my husband and I at a total cost of 140 but our flight home is a really crappy time, 6am but that's all they had open for the ding... but with that price you can't even drive cheaper!

Jaime

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Jamie, If I don't use the Ding, & just broze on SW website, would I still see (find)the sale at the 140.00 price, or do you need to download a Ding, in order to catch a sale price.

Thank you for taking the time to explain to me.

Many Thanks

Patricia

 

[jlbower79]

Ding prices for DING only.. so no, you won't see the ding prices unless you download their program.

Jaime