SWA FEB Watch LIST (Feb/march is open)

[deltachi8]

There could be many reasons for not releasing dates yet...fuel prices, new routes (in partnership with ATA), the effects of Delta and Northwest bankrupcies, etc.

They are not doing this to tease or punish us - they are perhapps the best run Airline in the nation, I am sure there is a reason.

 

[westjones]

Unless Southwest can really WOW us with their rates, we have decided to drive. I am so sick of this airfare game.

This is the nice part of being able to drive. We have talked and decided unless SW really WOWs us with thier rates, we are driving also. All the other airlines are a lot more than we are willing to pay. Since we are wanting to go at a peak season (spring break-last week of March), we aren't expecting that SW is going to offer a good rate, so we have already told the kids we are driving. Then is a great DING comes along, we can grab it.

DJ

 

[chasbos]

That is exactly what we do too, westjones.

If all else fails we can drive - yes it is 20 hours but it sure beats staying home.

If an amazing deal comes up we grab it and then we fly. Last year we did not book our January flights until Dec 8 and that was when the $29 fares came out for Buffalo - Orlando.

I am also waiting for a way to get home from Tampa this January! I booked a $49 Ding for our departure from Buffalo, but nothing has really caught my eye for a return flight home yet. I can wait it out!

 

[vossjemi]

Is that typical to have the rate be higher when it is first released? Maybe today will be the day for SW to release more rates.

Sorry, I don't know if its typical as this was my first trip with SWA....but thanks to all the helpful hints here, I got the best deal I could. I live 3 hours from 3 SWA airports...St. Louis, Kansas City, or Tulsa. But, my aunt lives in KC, so KC is preferred to stay night before or have drive to airport, etc... When rates first came out in May, all airports were around $115 one way...too high for me. Finally, got an STL internet deal for $98 one way and booked, fearing nothing better would come. Later got a Ding STL for $84 one way, so cancelled and rebooked. SWA automatically credited me back the taxes, but a minimal airfare portion was left in ticketless travel.

Then, finally, KC came below $100 and had a $98 internet special...so I was willing to pay more than STL to get us over to KC and not have to pay airport parking fees/hotel fees. So, I cancelled and rebooked. Then, KC had a Ding deal for $87, and I again cancelled and rebooked with about $50 in TTF...I called SWA and they refunded CC.

Then, on July 5...2 1/2 months before trip....SW came out with a Florida special...out of KC it was now $59 one way...INCREDIBLE!!! I was sooo excited. I cancelled and rebooked again with a $400 credit. I called SWA long distance # and explained I lived 3 hours from airport and didn't know if I'd be able to use the credit in a year, and they graciously gave my CC a refund.

For these reasons, SWA definitely has my loyalty! We had a great flight...direct w/no connections. No delays and no problems whatsoever. Definitely worth it to drive to KC this past trip.

Now, as for future trips, we just got a charter airline (Allegiant Air) that started up direct flights to Orlando this month from my home airport. We prefer direct flights with young kids. Also, the other airlines at my home airport wanted around $325ppRT for this past trip, so we felt we'd either have to drive or wait for a good SWA deal! If Allegiant can offer us some good deals, I unfortunately may not be doing SWA again for Orlando as I'd love to not have that 3 hour drive!!!...but I'll definitely consider SWA on any trip I take.

 

[Shelby5514]

GRRRR

Still Waiting...

Just killing time here...

Sniff, Sniff

 

[roadtripper]

Re: Allegiant Air--
We just got service out of Worcester, MA too-- but they fly into Sanford Airport, not MCO. Just though you'd want to know in case you are hoping to use Magical Express.

Still waiting on Southwest for Feb vacation, but tuning up the car just in case!

 

[canwegosoon]

Between the BRP and SWA, am now booking my air travel next year(07) at the 330 mark on a major carrier(my new goal is to utilize the FF programs!!!)...we also might try driving down in December...I would love to start doing it...because the flight prices are making vacations very costly!!!(if you do not get a great SWA rate out of albany you are stuck paying about 250-350 pp)

 

[lilstint]

Between the BRP and SWA, am now booking my air travel next year(07) at the 330 mark on a major carrier(my new goal is to utilize the FF programs!!!)...we also might try driving down in December...I would love to start doing it...because the flight prices are making vacations very costly!!!(if you do not get a great SWA rate out of albany you are stuck paying about 250-350 pp)

But aren't those SWA non-stops out of Alb sooooo nice! I was checking out "alternative options" one day and was very excited to notice that United has one non-stop per week from Alb - less excited when the fare popped up at $768. pp YIKES Honestly, I'd be really happy to get $250. r/t. The DING fares out of here have been really high lately.

 

[canwegosoon]

But aren't those SWA non-stops out of Alb sooooo nice! I was checking out "alternative options" one day and was very excited to notice that United has one non-stop per week from Alb - less excited when the fare popped up at $768. pp YIKES Honestly, I'd be really happy to get $250. r/t. The DING fares out of here have been really high lately.

If you book way out you can get it on most of the major carriers...I got 1 rt for March for 260 about a month ago...I am trying to squeeze a Christmas trip, and I might be able to get near $300 pp using United coupons...I was just researching driving....just wish I was about 5 hours closer and I would only drive...might have to move!!!!

 

[lisareniff]

OK.. I'm out. I finally purchased my tickets last night before they were sold out of these flights. We went with Airtran for $267. Thats flying Tues eve before Pres Wk (2/14) and returning the Thurs. of Pres. WK(2/23). We shorted the trip by a day to make it $100 cheaper per ticket. We have non-stop flights out of our home airport ROC (instead of driving to BUF in Feb. - 40 min more) and assigned seats on the way home.

With my luck I'm sure Airtran will have a sale tues and SW will come out with super cheap seats on Thurs! So you all take advantage of that and get your fingers ready!!! Good luck!

 

[Rneighh]

I called Southwest last Friday and was told they did not know when the schedule would be out. I find that hard to believe. We have never flown SWA but they seem a little disorgainzed. I think I may stick with AA.

Renee

 

[chasbos]

Rneighh - may I ask why you think they seem disorganized? You have to realize that they are still a business and that they likely do not give out those sort of details to there customer service reps.

I think SWA fares are as cheap as they are because they do not reserve so far in advance - it is much easier to speculate your costs for the next few months rather than a whole year ahead of time.

Now I do realize that a lot of people like to have their entire vacation planned out well in advance, it makes it much easier budget.

But that is not the way SWA operates! I for one will gladly wait for southwest to open further and see the prices because I think they will still be cheaper than any other airline.

But that is just me and flying SWA saves me $1000's - so I can be patient. If the savings are not tremendous I would likely book another airline also just to be sure.

 

[deltachi8]

Rneighh - may I ask why you think they seem disorganized? You have to realize that they are still a business and that they likely do not give out those sort of details to there customer service reps.

I think SWA fares are as cheap as they are because they do not reserve so far in advance - it is much easier to speculate your costs for the next few months rather than a whole year ahead of time.

Now I do realize that a lot of people like to have their entire vacation planned out well in advance, it makes it much easier budget.

But that is not the way SWA operates! I for one will gladly wait for southwest to open further and see the prices because I think they will still be cheaper than any other airline.

But that is just me and flying SWA saves me $1000's - so I can be patient. If the savings are not tremendous I would likely book another airline also just to be sure.

well said!

Southwest was and is a godsend to the Buffalo Airport. They way they do business results in lowere fares, and hence competition to keep others lower.

 

[Rneighh]

WOW -- must have found two SWA employees on a grumpy day. I do not think a flight schedule at 3.5 months out is asking for too much. Right now I can fly out of Ohare (not Midway as with SWA) for only 161.00 round trip. Why would I want to fly on an airline that can't seem to make a plan more than 3.5 months out.

Renee

 

[mill4023]

WOW -- must have found two SWA employees on a grumpy day. I do not think a flight schedule at 3.5 months out is asking for too much. Right now I can fly out of Ohare (not Midway as with SWA) for only 161.00 round trip. Why would I want to fly on an airline that can't seem to make a plan more than 3.5 months out.

Renee

SW keeping their schedule short-term is an intentional part of their strategy. It helps them avoid schedule changes and keep costs down. It may be inconvenient for some of us (myself included), but it is one of the reasons they have been able to keep prices low while being one of the few airlines that is actually profitable.

 

[chasbos]

Rneighh - nobody said you had to fly SWA.

But for those of us that prefer to fly SWA I do not see a problem with the way they do business.

I waited until Dec. 8 last year to book our tickets to Orlando for Jan. 20. And 6 of us flew non-stop from Buffalo for $451.

If I had of listened to my TA who wanted to book me flights in Sept on Spirit I would have paid $2400. And if I had have booked out of Toronto I would have paid $3600.

I have also not booked our return flight home yet from Tampa because I am waiting for a good deal, but I want to fly SWA and am willing to wait.

If you are not, then so be it. But do not question there business tactics. After all, they are still in business and making a profit at that.

 

[Mister Incredible]

I like the fact the SW doesn't change around their flights. Unlike Delta Song who changed the time on departure and cancelled the flight coming home. When SW comes out with Feb/March I'll be booking SW and cancelling Song!

 

[lilstint]

I called Southwest last Friday and was told they did not know when the schedule would be out. I find that hard to believe. We have never flown SWA but they seem a little disorgainzed. I think I may stick with AA.

Renee

I am one of Southwest's biggest fans, but to be fair here, it is VERY different from what most flyers are accustomed to. The Southwest model obviously works, no doubt about that, but I can understand how someone might think it strange not to be able to book for February at this time. Give her a break!

 

[lisareniff]

You guys still hanging in there???

 

[Boo'sMom]

You guys still hanging in there???