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

[AllesonWonderland]

I had a thread like this the last time we went to Disney and it was interesting to see what everyone was wanting, and then what they ended up getting for rates, so I thought I'd do it again.

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.) My last 2 trips to WDW I snagged Spring Break flights for my family of 4 MCI-MCO for $486 r/t one trip and $571 r/t total the next. Now we're looking at going in January, a time of year we've never traveled, so I have no idea what to expect or what's a 'good' rate. I'll be looking at departures from Kansas City(where we usually fly from), Omaha, Tulsa, Little Rock and maybe even Dallas. (We have a larger family group going this time from multiple cities.) Good luck to all!!

 

[son3disfan]

I had a thread like this the last time we went to Disney and it was interesting to see what everyone was wanting, and then what they ended up getting for rates, so I thought I'd do it again.

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.) My last 2 trips to WDW I snagged Spring Break flights for my family of 4 MCI-MCO for $486 r/t one trip and $571 r/t total the next. Now we're looking at going in January, a time of year we've never traveled, so I have no idea what to expect or what's a 'good' rate. I'll be looking at departures from Kansas City(where we usually fly from), Omaha, Tulsa, Little Rock and maybe even Dallas. (We have a larger family group going this time from multiple cities.) Good luck to all!!

I am hoping they are more then what I just paid on
Jet Blue....
So that would be hopefully more then $139 from BUF to Mco over March break....Friday night departure-Sunday night return........non- stop flights.
Let's see if I should have waited!

 

[Dr. J.]

What time do they usually open up the seats?

 

[spd3483]

I posted the very same question the other day. A couple of individuals said in the neighborhood between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM. I believe they said the time was central standard.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Everytime I've bought on SW the fares opened up around 10-11 AM est.

 

[sassyredhead]

I posted the very same question the other day. A couple of individuals said in the neighborhood between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM. I believe they said the time was central standard.

This. The last 3 or 4 openings have been early in the AM. Prior to that, around 10am CST.

 

[smacky1]

When are they opening up new dates and what are the new dates they are opening up?

 

[son3disfan]

This Tuesday.
Fares out to Friday March 9th, 2012.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

I have never done this on the first day. Have you found that these would be the cheapest tickets ... or are there sales that come up that can beat these prices?

I am looking at flying my 2 sons to Denver to ski with their uncle in late January as a Christmas present. I have never bought tickets to Denver before.

Thanks in advance to anyone who knows.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

For me, they've always been the cheapest rates, however I usually travel during spring break, so I don't know how much that has to do with it. Both times I purchased each way individually so that I could cancel and rebook easily if a better price came around, that just never happened.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

For me, they've always been the cheapest rates, however I usually travel during spring break, so I don't know how much that has to do with it. Both times I purchased each way individually so that I could cancel and rebook easily if a better price came around, that just never happened.

Thank you Alleson!

 

[drinkme]

I'm hoping for $72 one way from Chicago.

However, I'm STILL waiting for my free points to get transferred onto my SWA Chase card. It's been about 4 weeks already. I was hoping they'd be posted to my account by now.

 

[Nbarker]

Just butting in here to tell you that I booked our Dec. trip on the day that the fares opened in May...I checked at 7am and they were published. I thought I'd wait until about 11ish to do it when I had a break, and the return flight I wanted was sold out (at 6:25 that night for the cheaper flight). I had to book a 7am flight b/c that was the only other nonstop trip home. I cannot tell you how upset I was! I had no idea that it would sell out that quickly! Then, in June I was randomly looking at the sight and they had more seats opened up on the 6:25 flight! I called right away and a SW lady walked me thru changing online (It was the online fare only, so I had to do it myself). Point of all of this is to be on the ball and avoid the headache I put myself thru!

 

[VLee]

I am usually looking for the "old" standard reward flights available and have noticed that the availability varies. Sometimes it is there only on opening days and sometimes they add more "award" seats later on.

Otherwise, any flight under $99 would be a good rate for a one-way trip nowadays.

 

[son3disfan]

I am usually looking for the "old" standard reward flights available and have noticed that the availability varies. Sometimes it is there only on opening days and sometimes they add more "award" seats later on.

Otherwise, any flight under $99 would be a good rate for a one-way trip nowadays.

FYI
Southwest fares will be released on Monday now.........

 

[LuLuO]

With taxes and early bird check in we have a fare of just under $130 pp for non-stop one way tickets for the trip down. Hoping to get a better deal than that for the trip back.

 

[mkarizona]

I have never done this on the first day. Have you found that these would be the cheapest tickets ... or are there sales that come up that can beat these prices?

I am looking at flying my 2 sons to Denver to ski with their uncle in late January as a Christmas present. I have never bought tickets to Denver before.

Thanks in advance to anyone who knows.

SW sales usually start about 3 months out. Our next trip has 3 one way legs. One sale was exactly the same as the Web only price we paid. But on one other leg I just saved $120 per person. If you know you are going to be flying again within the year then book the first price and change later. HOWEVER, the funds expire one year from the Purchase Date of the original flight not the date of your trip.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Well, we're going down for a potential wedding, but the details aren't set in stone yet...so I'm thinking I probably should wait to buy tickets. Which bums me out, because I hate feeling like I may miss out on the best prices/flight times, but I would be scared that I'd buy tickets and plans would fall through or dates would change.

 

[Dr. J.]

AARGH. They changed the booking date to Monday. I have to work on Monday, not Tuesday, and was excited until they changed it to the 25th. I have to book 10 tickets with gift cards, vouchers...

 

[AllesonWonderland]

I am hoping they are more then what I just paid on
Jet Blue....

Looks like you got your wish!

Prices are really high (to me) for all the airports I checked. So, at least I don't feel bad that we're not ready to pull the trigger on seats today. I guess I'll be watching for a good sale! Or I'll kick myself for not buying the Allegiant tickets I saw a few weeks back that I thought were too high...and they were half the rate of the Southwest fares this morning!

Good luck to all looking for flights!