When Southwest opens dates next week--what price are you hoping for?

[AllesonWonderland]

So, I'll be sitting by the computer Tuesday waiting for the next Southwest release. Anyone else? What rates are you hoping for? (I realize this will be different for everyone, since we all fly out of different cities/go different dates.) 3 years ago I snagged Spring Break flights for my family of 4 MCI-MCO for $486 r/t total. It would be great to see rates like that again, though I'm thinking it's unlikely. I'll be looking at departures from Omaha, Kansas City, Tulsa, Little Rock and maybe even Dallas. (We have a larger family group going this time from multiple cities.) Good luck to all!!

 

[Disneylvr]

I am waiting for that release as well! STL to MCO. Anything lower than $250 per ticket would be acceptable.

 

[kristytru]

We've never flown SW before, but hoping to go from NY to MCO for under $1500 for the 4 of us. does SW ever have direct flights?

 

[kytiam]

I'll be sitting on the edge of my chair in front of my computer, too!. Anyone know what time of day they release those fares?
I know that SW has some direct flights out of Kansas City (though not as many as they used to) but I don't know about NY. Surely they do.
I love flying SWA!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

So, I'll be sitting by the computer Tuesday waiting for the next Southwest release. Anyone else? What rates are you hoping for? (I realize this will be different for everyone, since we all fly out of different cities/go different dates.) 3 years ago I snagged Spring Break flights for my family of 4 MCI-MCO for $486 r/t total. It would be great to see rates like that again, though I'm thinking it's unlikely. I'll be looking at departures from Omaha, Kansas City, Tulsa, Little Rock and maybe even Dallas. (We have a larger family group going this time from multiple cities.) Good luck to all!!

I can tell you that if you hang on for a sale price, it has been running either $59 or $69 each way from MCI (Kansas City) plus tax. That makes the total at $149 with taxes (aprox). Usually I don't find the first price that is released is as good as the sale they will have in another few days or a couple of weeks. But anymore the dings haven't been any better than the sales. Oh how I love SWA though. We booked a few weeks ago for 5 of us, there was only spots on sale for 4 of us...so we booked the last person on a different flight that was on sale, then when our flight went on sale again we went back in and changed his flight to match our's...even saved $9! GO SWA!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We've never flown SW before, but hoping to go from NY to MCO for under $1500 for the 4 of us. does SW ever have direct flights?

You could seach dates up to Mar 12 just to see what's available now.

Anything up to $100 each way is fine for me.

 

[Goofygirl17]

I'm hoping for something around (or under!) $1,000 round trip for the 4 of us. Last time (April '08) we flew out of Islip, Long Island for just over $900 r/t. I'm looking at Islip, Hartford, or Providence. We have to have a non-stop flight too.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[lovedvc]

I know that flights that are released on Tuesday will only take the date till March, does anyone know when the dates for July 2010 will be released?

 

[DisneyDadNY]

I know that flights that are released on Tuesday will only take the date till March, does anyone know when the dates for July 2010 will be released?

I would assume you are looking at about 60 days from when the schedule is released next week. From the Southwest Travel Tools page:

Now accepting reservations through March 12, 2010.

We are currently accepting air reservations through March 12, 2010. On October 13, we will open our schedule for sale through May 7, 2010. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

We've never flown SW before, but hoping to go from NY to MCO for under $1500 for the 4 of us. does SW ever have direct flights?

SWA has more direct flights than nonstop.

A direct flight means you will stop at one or more stops but stay on the same plane to your destination.

A connecting flight is one where you will change planes somewhere to your destination.

Nonstop means just that. Get on the plane at your home city, and get off at your destination with no stops.

 

[sassyredhead]

We're hoping for under $250 per person, but would be happy with less!!!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

We're hoping for under $250 per person, but would be happy with less!!!

Seriously, just be patient and you will get those flights for more like $150 from Kansas city. I monitor the flight prices all of the time and so far I have always been able to get a good deal as long as I know 2-3 months in advance. They have fantastic non-stop flights with great times. I LOVE taking the first flight of the day and being in Orlando before lunch time. Patience, patience!!!! Also it helps to be signed up on their e-mail and ding lists, although I find the sales better than the ding specials lately...and I haven't even seen dings for the past few days.

 

[kytiam]

Seriously, just be patient and you will get those flights for more like $150 from Kansas city. I monitor the flight prices all of the time and so far I have always been able to get a good deal as long as I know 2-3 months in advance. They have fantastic non-stop flights with great times. I LOVE taking the first flight of the day and being in Orlando before lunch time. Patience, patience!!!! Also it helps to be signed up on their e-mail and ding lists, although I find the sales better than the ding specials lately...and I haven't even seen dings for the past few days.

I try to monitor flight prices, too, and often see those really good prices--unfortunately not always at times I can take advantage of--but do you think they'll offer good sales around spring break season (March 13-20 for me)?
Being patient is SOOOOO hard!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

The good thing about SWA is that they have quite a few flights daily to Orlando. My thoughts are not to jump right away, wait a few days or even weeks to get a good sale. If you are stuck going at a certain day AND time then you might not want to wait long, but if you are flexible even with just the time of day you are likely to get a good price. If you can be flexible with the days of week you will have even more luck. Sundays seem to be the worst for a sale. For a mid March trip I would say be booked by mid January. If you have a really large group going it might be a bit harder, but if there is just 2,3,4,5 people you will probably be good. NOW, this is just my experience. There has only been one time in the past 15 years that I haven't got a good price from SWA and that was because we only had about 6 weeks notice and we were quite limited on the days of the week we could go. But, of course there are no guarantees. Good luck!

 

[chrisxtwo]

Add me to the Kansas City group! We are going March 13-21 and the cheapest I can find is AirTran for $1650 for the 4 of us.

I will be sitting at the computer Tuesday morning. If their flight schedule is the same that week as the week before, there was an early morning flight that got into MCO around noon! That would be GREAT!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

The SWA flights are pretty much the same...there have been little fluctuations to the flight schedule. The one we are taking in January is leaving Kansas city at 7:50 and getting into Orlando at 11:40. (Nonstop). The other thing...I have always had good luck with SWA getting into Orlando on time or many times they are early. (Knock on wood)!

Also, for those of you that are looking into SWA..they are SO GOOD. If you have a schedule change you can change your flights for no penalties. You just go into your account and change the flight. As long as the flight cost is the same or less it will not cost you a thing. Or, if they put a flight on sale that you have already booked, you can change to the sale price and keep the credit on SW to be used at a later time. Can you tell I am a real fan!!!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you all to get great deals and have wonderful trips! Our first trip ever was over spring break and the weather was perfect!

 

[korie]

I have been stalking SWA's website for weeks now waiting for a good deal on a flight the first week of March, and the price hasn't changed a bit! $128 each way out of Hartford, which to me isn't a good deal when I can drive to White Plains and fly JetBlue for $179 round trip. I'd really prefer SW out of Hartford though, and I've heard great things. If I were to book now at the $128 price, is it safe to say they will go on sale later and I can rebook at the sale price? I am really on the fence here and could use some advice!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

I don't know how the prices run from your location, but if you book through SWA and the flight goes on sale you can re-book that flight and you will have credit to use at a future date up to a year from when you originally booked. This may not help you if you don't plan to travel again in the next year. Also, keep in mind there are no baggage fees from SWA for up to 2 bags per person. That is a saver for us. All other airlines will charge about $25 per bag each way. Do you get e-mails from them? If you sign up to be on the e-mail list you will get an e-mail when they do post a sale.

 

[JasonDVC]

We've never flown SW before, but hoping to go from NY to MCO for under $1500 for the 4 of us. does SW ever have direct flights?

SWA has lots of nonstop flights out of Providence. That may be a little too far for you but the prices are usually pretty good. Last summer I purchased tickets for $89 each way. That comes out to $712 plus taxes and fees for your family a 4. Might be worth to pay a bus or limo to take you to Providence, Sounds like you could save a bundle

 

[Bambi222]

I am hoping to get the same price as our flight down. I was able to book flight down March 7 for 378.40 total. (84 each plus minor fees), if we got the same rates back it would be around 756 total, but would be happy if our total air for the 4 of us was under 1K.