what is a good airfare price?

[Misty89]

been doing searches on here this AM, and i had the same conclusion alot of others had- airfare eats up ALOT of the budget we trying to set up
so - not being a flyer ( i have flown 2 times in the past year, which were my first flights in my life )
we are coming from WI. i cannot get spefic rates as i am too far away from the travel dates( over 365 days) but i am trying to get a feel.
punching up jan 2004 prices, i am seeing from 190$ - 225. what is a good price?


thank you

 

[mousefansmom]

Hi-
We were able to get RT rates from Milwaukee to MCO for $149. HOWEVER, that is very unusual. I usually feel like if we can get rates around $200/pp that we are doing well. I have seen them go much higher!
Good Luck!
Mousefansmom

 

[topcat011]

Check out web sites like orbitz.com
cheaptickets.com even places like expedia and travelocity.
put in a date closer that allows you to at least look at prices. (use the same date)
I also found never ever look on the weekends as prices tend to get higher then. I always check on Tues thru THurs.

 

[CarolMN]

IMHO, from WI anthing around $200 is a good price - especially if it is for a non-stop. The range you quoted ($190-$225) is typical.

Occasionally, you will find lower prices (watch for sales), but those rates do disappear quickly, and are often for times that are not convenient for you or include a stop/change of planes. If you see a sale price that works for you, jump on it quickly!

Good luck!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A few things to look at and consider.

First of all, the airlines don't post anything about flights until approximately 330 days (11 months) out.

Do you have a choice of airports? For example, Milwaukee might be better than Madison; If you could get to O'Hare or Midway prices might be better.

Some low-fare airlines may not be on the large sites. For example: Southwest files out of Midway, SpiritAir has non-stops between O'Hare and Orlando, and JetBlue currently does not come to either IL or WI. Again,, you would have to go directly to their sites. Note that if you do research you should look at least 21 days out and use dates that would be the same day-of-week and time-of-month (but not date) that you are thinking of using.

 

[joshsmom]

We're flying out of St. Louis in January and got a promotional fare. It's right at $200pp on Southwest. I just checked the website to see if they had anything cheaper, and they do. Of course my tickets are non-refundable. I could've saved $40 total if I would have waited. But I was concerned fares would go up instead of down. So, it was a gamble. But, I don't think 200pp is a bad price.

 

[sln88]

last year- went Chicago to MCO for $84 plus tax on AA(round trip)

this year- went MKE to MCO for $165(inc tax) non stop on Midwest

I just saw airfares on Midwest for $117 total for 12/15-12/19

so..... you just have to get lucky and be going at the right time. I would suggest signing up for Tavelocity's fare watcher program, and it will alert you to sales. When I am looking for an airfare, I usually check them every day. You may have to travel certain days of the week to get the special(last time, we had to leave on a Fri and return on a Monday).

I also signed up to have the individual airlines send me their specials on email.

I THINK if you go with Southwest, you can get a voucher if the price goes down??

You should also check out the transportation board for tips.

 

[SUZENW]

We are flying on Christmas Day and our airfare from Milwaukee to MCO is 260.00 on midwest. That was the cheapest we could find (non stop) and we looked on Travelocity and sites like that. We had to come back on a Monday for that price or it was higher than that. After we booked, we noticed our same flight went higher yet. At times it was over $300.00. I think anytime around Christmas you pay more.

 

[littleducksmom]

joshsmom.....you can definitely get a credit for the difference in airfares in the form of a voucher for future flights from swa.

 

[joshsmom]

Originally posted by littleducksmom
joshsmom.....you can definitely get a credit for the difference in airfares in the form of a voucher for future flights from swa.

THANKS!!!! Guess I'm going to have to contact them tomorrow and get that taken care of!!~!! (I can then start saving for my next WDW trip!!!!!)

 

[mousefansmom]

Originally posted by SUZENW
We are flying on Christmas Day and our airfare from Milwaukee to MCO is 260.00 on midwest. That was the cheapest we could find (non stop) and we looked on Travelocity and sites like that. We had to come back on a Monday for that price or it was higher than that. After we booked, we noticed our same flight went higher yet. At times it was over $300.00. I think anytime around Christmas you pay more.

On Christmas day, flights are usually a little cheaper, due to the lack of travelers. Our flight leaves the day after, and we were able to get it for much less than $200.00 which is unusual. BUT- we booked when Midwest was talking strike, so I am sure that that was a factor. I love Midwest and are glad we are able to fly them again for this trip.

Mousefansmom