United or Southwest?

[iheartdisney]

Let me preface that I haven't flown since 2009. The only airlines I've flown and liked are Southwest and Jet Blue.
We are planning on going to florida this summer, and finally ruled out driving coast to coast.
United and Southwest have the same price for the flight, and DH is leaning towards United, as he flies Unted for work and wants to pick up some points.
Here are my random thoughts....
Southwest pro: With clothing for 5 for 2 weeks, free checked bags would come in handy. United wants $25 per bag. Also, Southwest has the "no change fee" policy which will work great for DH, as he is military, on sea duty, so there is always a possibility that he might be going on vacation somewhere else. So if something does come up, I know that we can use his credit another time. i am not sure what United's policy is.
Southwest con: My youngest is now 5, so i don't know if we are qualified to preboard. With 3 kids, there is a chance that at least one of them will not be sitting by one of us. As long as the 8 and 7 year old's DS batteries hold out, I think they will be OK with that. If we buy the Early bird, which from what i understand, increases, but does not promise we can sit together, it comes out to $100 roundtrip. Which by that time, we can pay for a few bags on United and know we can sit together.
So, does anyone have an opinion that can push me off this fence? i am trying to convince DH that we NEED to book these flights before they get higher!
(we ruled out driving once diesel hit $4.00)

 

[helenk]

I tend to go with Southwest, because they do not change their schedule once ithas been posted. United etc, do make changes that can cause a problem with the planning. Generally United will allow you to cancel the reservation without penalties if the change does not work with your plans, but by then airfare with Southwest may have gone up.
If you check in at the 24 hour timeframe with Southwest, you should have no problem sitting together.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

I'd still go with Southwest. Besides the "no change fee" and no baggage fee, if the price goes down, you can simply change your tickets and get the new price. I don't ever worry about the not sitting together thing. Just make sure you check in at 24 hours and you should be good to go.

 

[Mixie]

Southwest. I wouldn't even think otherwise.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

United, United, United. United is the government contract carrier, so why not add to your husband's FF account? If your husband has status on United, he can pull your whole family up to Economy Plus, a huge benefit.

Southwest pro: With clothing for 5 for 2 weeks, free checked bags would come in handy. United wants $25 per bag.

Did you know that since your husband is military, there are no checked bag fees on United?

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52481,00.html

Baggage fee exceptions
You are exempt from the above fees for checking your first two bags on flights operated by United, United Express and Star Alliance partner carriers if you are:

* traveling in United First® or United Business®;
* a Global ServicesSM, Mileage Plus 1K®, Premier Executive®, or Premier® member;
* a Star Alliance® Gold or Silver member; or
* U.S. military personnel (or a dependent) who is either active or traveling on leave in conjunction with a permanent change of station (military ID required)

 

[iheartdisney]

United, United, United. United is the government contract carrier, so why not add to your husband's FF account? If your husband has status on United, he can pull your whole family up to Economy Plus, a huge benefit.



Did you know that since your husband is military, there are no checked bag fees on United?

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52481,00.html

Baggage fee exceptions
You are exempt from the above fees for checking your first two bags on flights operated by United, United Express and Star Alliance partner carriers if you are:

* traveling in United First® or United Business®;
* a Global ServicesSM, Mileage Plus 1K®, Premier Executive®, or Premier® member;
* a Star Alliance® Gold or Silver member; or
* U.S. military personnel (or a dependent) who is either active or traveling on leave in conjunction with a permanent change of station (military ID required)

That is good to kknow, thanks!

 

[iheartdisney]

Just wanted to update,
I bought our tickets today, i stayed with ol' reliable Southwest!
Free baggage and today I clicked on and tickets to New Orleans were only $169 per person, per leg!!!!
I was discussing the free baggage on United for military, and we read the terms together, and it states that military under orders or spouses PCSing are allowed free baggage, and that they have hassled him about it when they were on orders. So back to Southwest we go! This vacation is real!!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Now that you booked keep checking your SW flights because if the price drops you can rebook for free and get a refund in the form of a travel vouchure.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We're big fans of Southwest too, for all the reasons mentioned above. I think it's strange that United would hassle your DH about baggage fees even when he's on orders. When my DD and her DH fly on vacation , he shows his military I.D. at check-in, and all their bags fly free.

 

[DopeyDame]

This isn't relevant to your vacation, but make sure your husband knows that United has been letting military into the Red Carpet Clubs for free lately. (I'm not sure if it's just while on orders or not.) It's SO much nicer waiting for your flight in the club than at the gate, and the agents in there can help with any seating or ticket issues you have with little to no line at all.