Using 2 different airlines for 1 trip?

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Has anyone ever taken one airline down, and another for the return trip? SW released dates for 1/2 of our trip today, and I am thinking I may just book Airtran for the way home.

Are there any problems with doing this that I am not aware of ? I just want to have my flights taken care of.

Lisa

 

[Lewisc]

A one way ticket increases the chance of being selected for additional security screening. If you can't get a BP online you should get to the airport early.

 

[puffkin]

We are in the same situation. We are flying December 9-17, so we could only get the flight on Southwest going down.

I booked the departure on Southwest because they had a time I wanted (Airtran was the same price and roughly same time). I am hoping that the price for that flight will come down, and I can use the credit when I book the return flight when Southwest opens up the rest of December. I will also be keeping an eye out on Airtrans prices, and if they have a fare sale, I will try to get the return on them if they have something like $49 for the return flight (that way I don't have to wait around on Southwest).

 

[markey]

I did exactly what you want to do. I booked our flight down for $79 to MCO when the prices first came out in March for August. Then I got a Ding for a $64 flight, got the credit. Then I got a Ding for a $49 flight, got the credit. Out flight down was important to me because I want to get there first thing. We want to fly back from Tampa, beach days, so I waited and got a Ding for Tampa for $47, so I used the credit and think I got really good prices out of BWI.

 

[ziggystardust]

We flew Jet Blue down in Dec and Song up b/c those were the lowest rates. We could have actually taken Song RT for the same price, but we just love Jet blue so much that I wanted to take it at least one way.

We experienced no problems what so ever.

I would recommend looking at the weight restrictions and the carry on guidelines though. Many airlines differ slightly, you wouldn't want to get stuck.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Thanks everyone- after much consideration, I went ahead and booked SW for the way down, and Airtran for the way back. If we get picked for extra security, so be it. We have never flown either of these two airlines, but I am so fed up with SW waiting so long to release dates and their "computer glitches" that I thought I would try Airtran out since they were the same price.

I just feel so much better knowing that our flights are finished.

Lisa

 

[Pinnie]

Glad it worked out for you. I am flying out of DTW today to Vegas on NWA. On Tuesday, I hop a SWA plane in Vegas and fly to John Wayne in Orange CO. CA., then next week I fly NWA back home to DTW from Orange County.

I was able to print out my boarding pass this morning, so I don' think I have been selected for a "super screening".

pinnie

 

[antmaril]

We did this in February. We flew from Detroit to Orlando on SW and returned on Spirit. We were not screened for extra security. We had no problems at all with the one-way tickets.

 

[debster812]

We're doing this in February--heading down on Song, coming home on JetBlue. The extra security (if it happens) *might* add 10 minutes total to your security checkpoint clearance time. I know of what I speak, DS all of age 7 last year, was flagged for extra security on both legs of our flights last year. And they were on the same airline.

I also think that since many airlines are flying, and selling 'one way' tickets, they are not quite the red flag they used to be.

 

[Pinnie]

I got "red flagged" a couple of weeks ago flying SPIRIT out of MCO. I tried to print my boarding pass at the WL desk and they got the "see an attendant for assistance" message on the computer. I had to check in at the counter. Right then I realized I would be pulled aside for a "super screening". The TSA's were courteous and very nice, so NO complaints there! I always suggest getting to the airport early, just in case one of these things happen!

pinnie

 

[Holly]

Last year we flew down on Song and back on SW. I don't remember having any extra security hassles.
It saved me a ton of money.

 

[DiscussDisney]

Last year we flew down on CO and back on Song. We were all selected for the extra security screening at MCO. As another poster pointed out, you can find out in advance if you will be subject to the extra screening by attempting to check-in online. If the system doesn't allow you, then it is most likely that you have been selected. At MCO, it took us 1 hour to get through special security (we almost missed our flight). So, my advice is get to the airport a little earlier than usual if you were unable to check-in online.