United airlines? Southwest for 4/12?

[daisyx3]

In all our WDW travels I've never traveled on United. I am starting to look for a possible 4/2012 trip and United has the best fares, although we have to go from Detroit and transfer in Chicago (never been there either!) Including fees I'm getting $240 each for the 4 of us--this is from the Tuesday before Easter to the Tuesday after. Monday travel is an extra $500.
Any comments on United? What are their extra fees? And how early can you book seats?
OR...should I just wait for Southwest to open up for next spring? And when might that be? We flew southwest last time and really liked it.
Thanks. I can't believe I've never gone to WDW on United. USAir (never again), northwest, delta, southwest and even airtran...but never united.
Daisyx3

 

[disneyfaninaz]

United charges $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second for each passenger, so you would need to add that into your equation. Personally, I would wait until the Fall when SWA opens up their scheduled past March 6th.

 

[daisyx3]

Wow! That's $150 to $200 added (depends on whether we can cram stuff for 4 into 3 bags, which is probably possible). I think I will give SWA a chance before I take the plunge. No definate date on when the April fares will be available, though?
Daisyx3

 

[DebbieB]

Keep in mind too that United will charge $150 per ticket for any changes.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Wow! That's $150 to $200 added (depends on whether we can cram stuff for 4 into 3 bags, which is probably possible). I think I will give SWA a chance before I take the plunge. No definate date on when the April fares will be available, though?
Daisyx3

SWA opens up through March 6th next week on the 26th. I'm thinking April will open up in September sometime. After the 26th you can check out the SWA website to see when fares open up.

 

[corster]

SWA will probably open up in late September or early October.

Southwest and JetBlue are pretty much the only domestic airlines left which don't charge bag fees, so make sure you take that into account.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

SWA opens up through March 6th next week on the 26th. I'm thinking April will open up in September sometime. After the 26th you can check out the SWA website to see when fares open up.

Not relevant to OP but just so you know, SWA changed their dates: Now they'll be releasing new dates on the 25th through March 9.

 

[DopeyDame]

Wow! That's $150 to $200 added (depends on whether we can cram stuff for 4 into 3 bags, which is probably possible). I think I will give SWA a chance before I take the plunge. No definate date on when the April fares will be available, though?
Daisyx3

Just to make sure you understand the baggage fees, it's $25 for first bag per person. So if there are 4 of you, and you check 3 bags, it's $75. Only if you get to 5 bags for family of 4 (so onto the 2nd bag per person) do you get to the $35 range. Just wanted to make sure you understood that.

I'm not a big SW fan, so I'd jump at the good United fare, but that's purely personal preference.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I luv SWA and they used to have great fares from Philly to MCO but lately not so. I know all fares are higher but lately SWA is higher than others.

The last date release included our Nov cruise. Once I saw prices, approx 2 hrs after initial release, I was glad I already bought on USAirways & Air Tran. ($89 & $130) SWA wanted $200-400 each way. It's a very popular vacation week with schools closed min 3 days around here.

By the time I pay for EBCI, I might as well pay a bit more for the baggage fee, choose seats & know we'll be sitting together. I already bought USAirways for our Easter week cruise as well. I'm curious what SWA prices will be that week.