SWA from Buffalo??

[Buzzfan]

We are considering a trip to WDW in early December (3-10) and have heard that flying out of Buffalo is much cheaper than Toronto. When I looked into the cost, the flight was $99 one way (total of $861.60 return USD for the four of us with all taxes included). Is this a good deal? Should I book it or hope for a cheaper rate? Where are these $49 deals I see people post about? Is this about average for this flight or will there be a sale coming up? SWA's choices for flights are getting less (the best times are gone) and I'd hate to lose out - but I need to pinch every penny if we are going to make this trip happen. Any advice????

 

[hockey mom]

That is still a very good deal. You would be spending about $400 each out of TO. If you do book now and the fare decreases you can have the difference credited back- not sure if by cash or voucher to use within a year.

 

[riu girl]

Buzzfan: I am not positive but I think the rate you are talking about is part of the SWA systemwide sale that ends on Aug. 4. After Aug. 4, the price may be higher, so if you are going to book, I would consider booking prior to/or on Aug. 4.
I'm not positive but I think for that date range last year, the price did go somewhat lower but not until the fall.
happy Planning!
Suzy V.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I am a big fan of SW. I would suggest you go to their website and download their DING! program. It actually becomes a little icon in your toolbar and you get exclusive 'deals'. Also, I get e-mails from them advising of deals (again, sign up on the website) and I check there often as I find they offer reduced flights quite a bit. We are flying from BUF to MCO in Sept for $49 each way - so total for the two of us is about $230. In Feb of '05 we fly for $29 each way. This was a smokin' deal which I havn't seen since but you never know. I had originally booked in Oct of '04 for about $100 each way - the total for the 3 of us was about $525 - which was still about $1000 cheaper than flying out of Pearson! Anyway, I kept an eye on the flights and when they went down all I did was call Southwest and asked them to credit me back the difference. In my case I couldn't get the actual $$ credited back to my credit card, but I did get a flight credit which needed to be used within a year of the original purchase date. I actually used it for our Sept trip, but then that fare went on sale so I actually sold the remaining credits at a reduced rate and another DISer was able to benefit from my 'leftovers'.

I also find the airport at BUF very easy to navigate. It is quite small and easy to get to. In Feb we stayed the night before in a hotel near the airport and they included a 'park and fly' option for us to leave the car while we were away. They also had a continental breakfast which was great.

So, I would suggest you take a look because I think BUF is a GREAT option and I am really happy it is only 1 1/2 hrs away because it is the ONLY reason we are able to do 2X WDW in one year!

 

[Buzzfan]

Thanks for the info. I downloaded the Ding and I will also sign up for the SWA e-mails. DutchsMommy - What hotel did you stay at the night before your flight? Do you remember the cost of it? I don't even know what we would pay for parking for the week at the Buffalo airpot. I haven't booked our flight hoping for cheaper prices so haven't looked into any further details.

Also I noticed that the internet rate flights seem to be almost booked up. When they release the lower rates do they open up more seats or does this mean that the plane if full?

 

[hockey mom]

We have stayed at Holiday inn for $79/night, Holiday inn express on buell ave. for $119 and $59(great deal), and also used park and fly at the airport for $45/week.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We are about 60 miles west of Buffalo and usually the fares are cheaper from here. It really depends on the airline but Delta has been cheaper from Rochester on the flights we took ....keep checking as they change quite a bit..sometimes cheaper than Buffalo sometime more.....Good Luck!

 

[princess aurora]

Also I noticed that the internet rate flights seem to be almost booked up. When they release the lower rates do they open up more seats or does this mean that the plane if full?

The flights are not full but the seats at that rate are gone. Yes when the rate go lower if you are quick you can sometimes get the times you are looking for.

We've stayed at Comfort Suites in Buf before right across from theairpost about $99 a night with free shuttle, continental breakfast and parking for your car for up to 2 weeks. Great deal if you have an early morning flight.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Thanks for the info. I downloaded the Ding and I will also sign up for the SWA e-mails. DutchsMommy - What hotel did you stay at the night before your flight? Do you remember the cost of it? I don't even know what we would pay for parking for the week at the Buffalo airpot. I haven't booked our flight hoping for cheaper prices so haven't looked into any further details.

We stayed at the Hilton Homewood Suites for $89. They included up to 2 weeks onsite parking with a shuttle to the airport (5 mins). There was continental breakfast (quite good) and the room had a seperate bedroom and living room (with a pull-out) and a kitchenette. The buffalo airport parking I think is around $38 per week (not 100% sure about this).

 

[Tabetha]

I'm keeping my eyes open for a seat sale from Dec 3 - 11, too! I've downloaded DING, so fingers, crossed.

We flew from Buffalo in February of this year, and even with the hotel room in Buffalo (with parking) AND taking a limo service from the Orlando Airport to the Poly, we still spent less for all that than ONE flight from Toronto. So worth it.

 

[riu girl]

Talking about Dec SWA fares, does anyone remember when SWA BUF-MCO Dec. fares went on sale last year?

 

[mousy_in_canada]

Talking about Dec SWA fares, does anyone remember when SWA BUF-MCO Dec. fares went on sale last year?

Taken off FlyerTalk for you suzy!

Recent schedule extension history:

July 15/04 - open to Dec 11/04
July 29/04 - open to Jan 14/05
Sept 23/04 - open to Mar 3/05

 

[OnMedic]

We somehow grabbed a return for 4 of us (2 Adults and 2 Kids) for USD$520.00 return, all taxes in! We picked it up on Expedia.

Cheers, aw:

 

[riu girl]

onmedic:
Congratulations. That is fabulous. what airline are you flying with?