what would you do with this fare from Philly?

[Candice30]

i have been holding off on purchasing airfare to mco because it is at $206.70 for a non-stop flight. i never buy airfare this high from philly so i planned on waiting a little longer. i guess i am now concerned about losing this fare. i just realized that i would be flying on friday july 02 and that the fare may be high because of the holiday. my brain is telling me that the fare won't go down because of the holiday and my pocket is telling me to wait!

i don't know what to do! i do plan to hold off until southwest releases their fares for philly. my question is, if the release of southwest's fares aren't lower and/or doesn't drive other airlines down, would you book at $206 or wait???????

 

[helenk]

I am in the same situation as you are. For the past 2 years I have paid about 160.00 for non stop flights with USair. I did not book the good flights at 206.50 because I thought that the prices would come down. We are leaving on 6/26 and returning on 7/3.
Well the prices have not come down and all the good flight times are gone. Airtran's prices are not too bad and they have some good flight times.
I am going to hold off until Southwest announces their schedule, even if my dates are not post yet, at least I will have an idea as to the flight times and I can make a decision from there.
My advice is to do what you are comfortable with, I am kicking myself for not booking at the 206.50 rate, but that is the way things go.
I have also looked into flying into Tampa, UsAir has good times and good rates still available if all else fails.

 

[Lewisc]

Wait if you're willing to settle for a connecting flight or less desirable times. The desirable flights are more likely to increase in price (or sell out) if you wait.

I figure (from NY area) $200 is an OK fare if I get exactly what I want. I think I should be able to get under $150 if I'm flexible.

 

[Candice30]

i guess that is my other concern. i really am not flexible. i am taking my niece and nephew away alone and for the first time and neither have flown before and are frightened. they keep hearing so much on the news post 911 and are scared to fly in the first place. so i want the shortest flight available and really need to stay as close as possible to the times i need to take advantage of the great park pass i got. i guess that means that i need ONLY non-stop flights to ONLY mco and ONLY the exact times i need. doesn't leave any room to play with fares. that will be up to the airlines to lower them i guess. usair has the exact flights i want for $206.70 to mco out of philly. i am used to paying $160 so i guess that is the hangup on this issue.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Candice30
i guess that is my other concern. i really am not flexible. i am taking my niece and nephew away alone and for the first time and neither have flown before and are frightened. they keep hearing so much on the news post 911 and are scared to fly in the first place. so i want the shortest flight available and really need to stay as close as possible to the times i need to take advantage of the great park pass i got. i guess that means that i need ONLY non-stop flights to ONLY mco and ONLY the exact times i need. doesn't leave any room to play with fares. that will be up to the airlines to lower them i guess. usair has the exact flights i want for $206.70 to mco out of philly. i am used to paying $160 so i guess that is the hangup on this issue.

Call the airline, if they flight is empty you might gamble and wait otherwise BOOK NOW. If you wait too long the flight might be sold out.

 

[XStAnt]

Although I have no specific knowledge of this, I'd be very surprised if Southwest's introductory fares out of Philly aren't fairly low. They are trying to break into a new market where most people have only heard about SW and not experienced flying them. I'd think they'd post low fares to induce people to try them. This should cause USAir, Airtran and others to lower their fares.

While there are no guarantees, personally, I'd be willing to take the gamble and wait for fares. (But, it is a gamble!!)

 

[Pryncess'mom]

I'm taking a USAir flight from PHL next Friday to MCO at 5:35. I booked my two tickets in July 2003. My price per tic was 204.50. I watched and watched for several months, and it never went down. I'm glad I booked when I did. When I checked the flight at Christmas, it had gone up to $1000 per ticket!!!


Good luck!

deb

 

[dansyr]

I wouldn't wait too long. I booked a flight out of Phila. to Chicago last July 2nd for around that price. As time got closer to that date, the fares skyrocketed. I was glad I booked when I did.

 

[Del]

Hi

If that is when you need to go --I would book it! USAirways isn't going to go down in price--it will only go up. Southwest is coming in may but if you need to make your plans now and are bringing children and want seats together. Do it now---if not don't be shocked if it 3 days when you look again the price will have gone up. Good luck in your choice---it really depends on how flexible you can be.

Del

(20 min. outside of Philly)

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I don't know how far you're from Atlantic City, but I just booked our October/November trip, on Spirit, for $149.40 pp r/t! I already have our tickets for our June trip, with USAirways ($201.50pp, which just went up yesterday to $244.50)), but I checked those dates on Spirit, and they are only $172.40 pp. This is our first trip, flying on Spirit...I hope I won't regret it.

 

[tci1212]

I was also going to suggest Spirit out of Atlantic city, My Mom and sister just booked for the end of this month 140.00 RT. They have a web site you can put in your dates and get a price

 

[Gillian]

That's a good price for a holiday weekend. I'd take it!

I have been trying to book for DH, MIL & SIL for president's weekend (friday to monday) and the fares were almost $400. We were lucky to catch a USair sale today, but are still paying $275 per ticket.

 

[cindala]

We're hoping to fly out 7/3, and the best we can do on a direct flight is $255, so personally, I would jump on the $206! When I saw our fare was $215 I thought that was too high and didn't book it. Then it went up to $235, and then $255, and it hasn't come down, even thought only 7 seats are booked.

I'm still hoping, but even though I paid $180 last year for the same flight, the minute it drops closer to $200, I'm jumping on it. Good Luck!!

 

[mom2of2]

Don't know if this is feasible for you or not but Allentown to Sanford is non stop and the prices are great! We got $133 pp for last March. I called them today regarding our upcoming trip and wanted info and they told me they are taking ressies up to May 10th as of today (it's 6 months in advance) the web site if you are interested is www.flyseal.com

 

[Candice30]

i just noticed that southwest added philly to their map of cities where they fly and there is a whole info page for philly. it may have been there before but i didn't notice it. hopefully the fares will be soon! i need a cheap fare.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

As you noticed on the web site, no Philadelphia fares can be booked now.

Maybe soon they will be posted. How about Spirit, Candice30?
Or, maybe the Allentown to Sanford fares using Southeast ?

Otherwise it looks like US Air, doesn't it?

 

[Candice30]

i looked into allentown to sanford. i haven't been to either airports. the kids have never flown before and since i will be lugging 2 around with lugguage, i would prefer orlando international. allentown is about an hour and 20 minute drive from me and would work if they flew to mco. again, i don't drive so i would have to find someone to take us to allentown. all that being said, if i don't like southwest fares and/or usair doesn't go down, i will re-examine allentown and decide what to do. thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Candice30
i looked into allentown to sanford. i haven't been to either airports. the kids have never flown before and since i will be lugging 2 around with lugguage, i would prefer orlando international. allentown is about an hour and 20 minute drive from me and would work if they flew to mco. again, i don't drive so i would have to find someone to take us to allentown. all that being said, if i don't like southwest fares and/or usair doesn't go down, i will re-examine allentown and decide what to do. thanks!

July 2 is one of the (few) dates that SW blacks out for frequent flyer reservations. I suspect the number of deeply discounted seats will be limited. I didn't realize you wouldn't be renting a car. Flying into Tampa or Sanford will significantly raise your ground transfer expenses. Not sure how much you'll have to pay a friend to drive you Allentown but it sounds like you'll have to impose on a friend.

I wish you luck BUT it is very possible the $206 fare will look cheap if you wait. You don't have a lot of options. You really can't use alternate airports, connections or flight times. If the fare for the flight you want doubles what will you do? Cancel the trip?

 

[WDWisTheBest]

As Lewisc said, I also didn't realize that you wouldn't be driving. With what you said in mind, I would book the $206 rate with US Air and be happy.

It is very doubtful you will beat that fare, unless Air Tran comes up very soon with internet specials that would be at best around $170 rt. PHL to MCO.

Considering taking the kids and luggage and not renting a car, I would book it and forget about it until July.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

You might want to check the US Airways web site quickly for a promotion from PHL to MCO. It looks as if you can get the times you might want to travel for $188 plus taxes and facility fees, which should get to around $206.

This isn't a great rate but you can book times that you might want to go.