When should I book these SWA flights?

[riu girl]

I think SWA MAY be opening their mid Dec-mid Jan schd. tomorrow. This is what I have to book:
1. Sat Dec 17 - 4 pax (me, DH, DD and DS) BUF-MCO
2. Sat Dec 31 - 1 pax (DH) MCO-BUF
3. Sat Jan 7 - 3 pax (me, DD and DS) MCO-BUF

I am thinking about booking 1. and 2. as soon as the schd is released to guarantee I will get the flights I want (peak season flights) , then book 3. WAY later (non-peak flight). If 1. and 2. go on sale before I book 3. I will simply rebook 1. and 2. and hold the funds as a SWA credit and apply these funds to 3.

Does this plan make sense or would you do something different? DH feels I should not book 1. and 2. until I get a DING or internet sale.

I have been thinking about this all day and not sure what to do.
Any suggestions would be great at this point since I am confused.
Thanks
Suzy

 

[cabmom]

I would book everything now, and hope for the fares to come down. That way at least you have your seats.
Hope things work out for you!

Marilynn

 

[robinb]

Honestly, I think your 1/7 return will be the hardest of the 3. If you think you may be flying SWA again in the next year then you're OK booking all flights at the same time. If rates go down you can "bank" the extra $$ and use it within a year.

 

[riu girl]

I never considered the fact that the Jan 7 flights would be the most difficult to get. Is that because a lot of schools go back Jan 9 this year? I just thought it was a few school boards or is it Canada/US wide? I am NOT planning on vacationing again in the next year so I won't be able to use a SWA credit.

Any more thoughts?

 

[disneykins]

Where did you hear they might be opening up late december flights? I keep checking but they tell me its only to december 12. We're in the same boat as you, 3 down on the 19th, 1 down on the 23rd and 4 return between the 30th and jan 4. We were all going on the 19th but school holiday dont start till the 23rd.
good luck with your flights

 

[riu girl]

I have been reading flyertalk.com. The moderator of the SWA board over there thought that the Dec-mid Jan flights would be available last Thursday. But then a SWA employee posted that they received a memo that they will be available this Thursday. So lets just hope that this Thursday will be THE day. Also, I hope that if they are released this Thursday, they will be included in the systemwide sale. If so, I will book right away. If the price is mroe then $99 each way I think I will wait and see.
Do you know if these holiday fare dates ever go down to $49 each way BUF-MCO? If so, I will wait to book I think. It seems like other airlines that are already posting these dates (airtran, spirit) only have cheap sale fares that end mid December. This makes me think that maybe these holiday season days will stay higher priced and won't possibly see $49 each way.

Any thoughts/suggestions?