We said we'd never do it again, but the rates were too good!

[Tess]

We were almost set to drive the next trip down in June 2005. We've been watching fares for our time frame and, in fact, had partial vouchers for Northworst. I happened to be checking the travel sites today and got wind that Spirit (and we swore never to fly that airline again) had a rate drop.

My husband hopped over to the Spirit website and the rate was too good to pass up--nearly a break even with driving. The DTW rate to MCO (0 stops) was $151.70 per person (base rate of $133)!! NWA and others, even TMA (which doesn't even have rates out yet for June) were higher (from $233 to $198).

I guess I should learn never to say "never". We had a pretty terrible flight home several years ago on this airline and are hoping that things have improved. Further, the flight out was delayed by several hours because it didn't have a crew able to fly. I know so many people swear by Spirit. . .we just weren't impressed. Still, $$$$ won out and we'll give the airline another shot.

BTW, these rates were good throughout the month of June on various dates. We're flying 6/10 and returning 6/22. I hope someone else is able to take advantage of the great rates--please cross you fingers that all goes better on this flight than our last!

 

[MichDISer]

Those are the rates we were quoted EACH WAY by Spirit (also DTW to MCO).
Did you already pay? Are you sure you bought ROUND TRIP?
I'm sorry to ask such a question, but it's just that the rates are almost identical to our EACH WAY rate (for Feb. though).

 

[disneymom99]

We also booked our airfare through Spirit out of DTW. I'm a first time flyer, and was pretty nervous about finding a good fare. Our trip is July 3-8 and we were able to get RT tickets for 133 per person. That was $74 going and $59 coming back. Both ways are non stop flights. We booked a day early (July 2) and are getting into MCO in the evening. We'll find a inexpensive hotel for 1 night and we won't have to worry about rushing from the airport to rent a car etc.

We are from the Cleveland area, but my in-laws live in Toledo. It is about a 45 minute trip to DTW. To us, it was well worth the drive to Toledo and then to DTW. I've been checking fares from Cleveland and Akron/Canton, but have found none that are below $256 per person. The 4 of us got our tickets for $532 RT as opposed to over $1000.

I guess I'm just not a gambling person. There may have been a fare that would have been less if I would have just waited, but I wasn't willing to take that chance. Also, like the OP said, we almost break even with what it would have cost us to drive.

 

[CarolA]

Any airline can have a bad day (and most do) Hopefully you will have a better sprint experience.

 

[Tess]

Nope, not a one-way--this is r/t and, yes--we did book it and paid $606.80 for our 4 tix. Like disneymom99, our base rate is $133 p/person and with the nearly $20 per ticket in taxes, etc.--it's $606.80 total: flight #508 outbound at 7:15 a.m. and 118 return at 2:50 p.m. There were actually cheaper flights on the outbound--$59, BUT they were gone for our dates.

BTW, they are selling seats on their new run to Nassau for $39 one way!