The Buffalo / SouthWest User Guide

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

Can one of you experts explain in detail what you need to do to be sitting with a smile on your face knowing that you have 4 airplane tickets at a super cheap price? Our experience has been to just go to Air Canada or West Jet and pay $600-$700 Canadian each!! Ouch. When I see the prices you guys are getting I'm shocked. Hmmmm.... for the 4 of us I could pay $2800 for our flights out of Toronto or I could drive for another 2 hours and pay what $500 for all???

Please, please... someone write this down so that we can all understand how to do this.

 

[nosnobunny2006]

I check all the airlines that fly out of Buffalo on a regular basis. I don't limit myself to one airline. Sometimes another will have better prices. Most of the US carriers have flights out of Buffalo.

First, you need to go to all the airlines websites and subscribe to their notification list. It varies by company. SW has a system they call "Ding". Just follow the download prompts and in the field where they ask for your zip code, use the zip code for the airport you plan to use. For Buffalo it's 14225. Then you'll be notified on your desktop of any internet specials as they come up. We used SW for our last trip to Florida in March - not Disney related. Yes there are other things in the world. I think we paid around US $500 for two return to Ft Lauderdale.

Our next trip is in July and we're using AirTran. This will be our first flight with them so I can't tell you how they are. But Orlando's only a 2 hour flight, so how bad can it be? Stay tuned. We got this one for US $1200+ for DH, me, adult DD and 3 DGKs.

BTW - DD and one DGS are coming here from Vancouver Island first and were lucky to get a seat sale on Air Canada yesterday. Check them out first, you may be pleasantly surprized.

Beth

 

[hockey mom]

I use SW faithfully.

I check airfare price 2x a day.

For my family of 5 I pay anywhere from $460 -$700 US for airfare. Never more.

I also have a rapid rewards card and I have earned a free flight so I am going to use it for Vegas in the summer because those prices are not so pretty.

 

[nosnobunny2006]

I use SW faithfully.

I check airfare price 2x a day.

For my family of 5 I pay anywhere from $460 -$700 US for airfare. Never more.

I also have a rapid rewards card and I have earned a free flight so I am going to use it for Vegas in the summer because those prices are not so pretty.

My upcoming price is higher because we're flying into Orlando and out of Ft. Lauderdale. If it had been one gateway, the price would have been lower.

Beth

 

[dsneygirl]

We usually use AirTran or SW. The fares fluctuate all the time so you have to really check everyday. SW is great because you can cancel/chance your flights at almost a moment's notice with no penalties. Navigating the Buffalo airport is a breeze compared to Pearson and you don't have any Customs issues to deal with as you do that at the Land Border (Ft Erie, Niagara Falls whatever).

We fly from BUF at least 2-3 times a year and in my experience at least 25% of the travellers are Canadian. It is really easy.

 

[nosnobunny2006]

It's funny you should mention that because when we were on the SW plane in March, the flight attentdant asked all the Canadians to raise their hands. Virtually the entire plane had their hands up in the air. And I thought I was the only one.

Beth

 

[runner26.2]

We use Airtran & SW. When checking flights and prices don't forget to investigate flying to and from Tampa. True, you can't use Disney Express but if you're renting a car anyway it is a very easy, short drive from Tampa to Orlando and can save you a few $$

 

[AndyMcV]

Thanks for all your help so far gang. It sounds like a bit more work but wow the money you can save.

 

[AndyMcV]

I use SW faithfully.
For my family of 5 I pay anywhere from $460 -$700 US for airfare. Never more.

Hi HockeyMom

Wow that's increadible! That's what you would pay for 1 ticket with Air Canada.

Andy