What's the cheapest airfare you think we'll get from Chicago to Orlando?

[alicenwonder99]

I booked the 3rd week of Sept with the free dining. I can't believe I can't find anything less than $90 one way for airfare. I never paid that much to Orlando before, and I'm still holding out for something less. Now there's all this talk on this board about airfare going up after May 1. Do you really think the days of $59-$79 one way from Chicago are over???

Mary

 

[LegoMom3]

We are going the same time as you, flying from the northeast. I'm holding out for a DING! fare from Southwest. Right now they are only posting those for May, but I'm seeing $54 one way from Manchester NH to Orlando, so hoping if/when offered for September, it'll be close.

If I can't get a DING! fare and have to go with their regular offerings, the cheapest right now is around $122 one way with Southwest (who I prefer) or around $246 round-trip with someone like USAir (who I hate!!).

We'll probably see airfares go up this summer, just like gasoline, but I'm hoping it doesn't carry too far over after Labor Day.... I can hope!

 

[katied]

I bought 3 tickets at $203 ea. round trip - OHare to Orlando last month. When I bought, the cheapest tickets were about $170 round trip - but it included either connects or less attractive travel times. When I booked, I was about to get a flight landing around 12:30, and departing at 7:45 pm (of course, after I bought the tickets United changed the departure time to 6:10 pm). But overall, the little extra was worth it to ensure we can actually do something on our arrival and departure days. My DH now thinks he wants to join us, and that same ticket is now $350! So - you can hold out for cheaper tickets, but it may include less attractive times.

I still remember the "old" days when I could get direct flights on American for $110 round trip (all fees included)...

 

[TyRy]

Eeek - the cheapest I'm finding from Chicago is just over a hundred each way, and that is with one of the legs landing after midnight. I'm starting to debate driving again since I hate to fly and now airfare seems to be going sky high.

 

[FINFAN]

We booked in United for August, but partly to use 1 frequent flier award ticket, partly because DH is coming from work and preffered O'Hare ( not me, I MUCH prefer Midway, but....) We purchased 3 non-stops for the exact times we needed...Friday/Monday flights and paid $203 each/including all taxes & fees. Technically that is under $90 each way...until the fees are added...those add up REALLY quickly.
I don't know....I was getting tired of waiting for better fares and when SW opened up they were not any cheaper...I needed to move onto other things around here, so I just went ahead and booked. For us, it was worth it OOP because we had the award ticket making the average r/t price 150 each...and I would've booked that in a heartbeat. It is worth it to us to pay a little more for direct flights, and the times we needed.

Good Luck,


Pam

 

[what]

Just saw a ding come up for Chicago. It was yesterday, I think. Anyway I'm pretty sure it was $54. Granted it was for May. However, I think a ding will probably come up for a decent price in September. Of course that will be a long time away. The weather is so iffy in September that deals are pretty good from what I have seen in the past.

 

[Alice Sr.]

I booked the 3rd week of Sept with the free dining. I can't believe I can't find anything less than $90 one way for airfare. I never paid that much to Orlando before, and I'm still holding out for something less. Now there's all this talk on this board about airfare going up after May 1. Do you really think the days of $59-$79 one way from Chicago are over???

Mary

I had a really difficult time finding decent airfare and flight times for our June trip. My beef isn't so much the cost being higher as the flight times and the lack of non-stop flights. When I was checking around some of the alternate airports I was amazed that the smaller ones had better flight times and lower cost options. It seems to me that the airline industry has made some changes to their booking strategies. I seriously considered driving but I found a SW flight and time that I could live with. I for the most part booked with AA or United out of ORD, but after dealing with SW (so far anyway) I'm going to make them my 1st choice airline from now on. When SW reduced the airfare for the flights we were taking I called and they gave me a $200 credit for future flights. Our r/t fare comes to $120 (without the extra fees).
Good luck hang in there, it's not as easy as it used to be that's for sure.

 

[we3disneygo]

we fly from Bloomington,IL and the fares are 119.00 down and 89.00 back 242.40 per ticket, we haven't gotten the ticket yet but I dont want to wait too long either

 

[eeyore45]

What a game!! I just downloaded DING, as dh needs a fare to Seattle Washington in June, Southwest is the cheapest at around $300!! Eeek!!

I hated waiting for SW fares to come out for our Oct trip, so I booked with United, about 2 months ago!! It was the same price, and perfect flight times, non stop out of ORD (we can take the train into Ohare!) for $170 per person RT - just checked the dates and times, and its up to $264 RT same flights!!

I know the advice I've read on these boards is pick a price you'd be happy with (under $200 for me, and yes, I read many DING fares were lower than the $170 - but midway is harder for us to get to so I factored in the taxi fare from our suburbs to that ding fare, and went with United!)


It sure is a game, and the rules have changed with the darn gas prices!!

 

[DisOrBust]

Don't fprget us here in milwaukee either!! Air tran can be cheaper and Midwest is the best and is having a fare sale right now. There is a new "train" service as well directly from Chicago to Mitchell field. They are working hard on getting the Chicago crowd.

have had luck with TED out of Ohare.

 

[PooohBear]

I'm still hopeful ! I think we'll get a great rate from Southwest !

 

[hearts8701]

did you try usa3000 they have fares from 69,79 & 89 ea. way depending on which day you want to fly i use to fly spirit which has great sales but they no longer have a straight flight to orlando

 

[OhMickey]

Two weeks ago I was able to book 6 tickets on Southwest for 140/rt each for May-June.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

In august we are flying AA down (ord to mco) got locked in last december for $180.00 round trip. We usually take UA, but they where $80.00 more. For October, I bought it from UA (ord to mco) at $200.00 and was lucky to get both. I haven't seen it any better since. We are constricted with flight times to maximize our wdw time. So I bought the times I wanted and paid alittle more for it.

I miss ATA out of midway.

 

[OzFan]

We got our airfare for 168.00 rt taxes and fees included from Air Trans Airways. Leaving Midway Sept. 30th returning Oct. 5th. I figured it was about 71 each way. Not too bad, but we have gotten better. But with the cost of fuel going up everyday, we jumped on it.

 

[bonzarella]

We will be there same time. Air Tran is running 92.00 from MDW to MCO. Think there are two daily non-stops. We booked Indy one way last night, it was 84.00 plus fee. Waiting for SW for return flight, need to use up the credit. Have fun

 

[mkymouse4ever]

ozfan > hey neighbor

Are the Air Tran flights direct? just wondering. thanks

 

[OzFan]

Yes they are direct! We always fly SW but when I found this rate I couldn't wait. We leave at 7:45am and get in MCO at 11:14am. Coming home the only flight was at 2:45pm arriving MDW at 3:59pm, I guess there are some trade offs for the cheaper straight through flights.

 

[rigs32]

The way airfare has been lately is that sales don't come up until a month or two ahead of time. I have set my personal price points (<150 with one stop, <200 nonstop) and will pounce once I see them. If I'm 5 weeks out and prices aren't going down, I'll book at the bext price I can find.

Was there EVER a time when sale airfares could be found months ahead of time? It doesn't help fall travelers that summer fares are usually higher.

 

[OzFan]

Actually I booked my airfare last May for our September trip last year. I got 49 each way from Chicago to MCO. I think that was the best fare I have ever gotten. I just think that the prices are going to go up not down, I HOPE I'm wrong.