Veteran Southwest DING! users..."?"

[LegoMom3]

I just signed up for the DING! fares about a month ago. Already made use of it getting my dad a good rate to come visit next month! What I'm wondering is approximately how long before a given month do they start offering those fares? For example, when I signed up (late March), most of the offerings was for April travel. Shortly thereafter they starting offering May as well. Is that typical as far as timing?

Our trip to the World is mid-September; I'd love to try to hold out for a DING! fare, but eventually I will get to a point where I have to book something. I'm guessing they would start offering fares for Sept. travel (in DING! fares now, mind you, not just regular booking, which currently goes through the 12th) sometime early August?

Just trying to get a feel for this from someone who's used this feature a bit longer than I have!

TIA!

 

[zurgswife]

The May DING's have lasted longer then I expected.

The March DING's for spring break time came out of the blue in the middle of a January I think. Any how right now I don't have any advice except keep your eye on it the best you can.

I have booked my Sept flight because I had a credit to use so if I get a DING my savings will just go back into my credit account...

 

[owtrbnks]

Your observations are correct. Recently it seems the DING fares are offered only about 1 month out and may be restricted to certain travel days (only Tue and Wed, etc).
On Feb. 5th I purchased a DING for May 10th, but it seems the sale fares offered that far in advance are no longer.
If you plan on another flight within a year, you can purchase your travel now.
If a lower fare becomes available you can rebook and get a credit for the difference good for up to a year.
(My wife thinks it's a scam to make us book another trip! I book as soon as I can. Often the fares change. So I rebook at the lower fare and say, "Honey when's a good time to plan the next trip using our credit?" It's a never ending cycle.)