When to book Southwest Airlines

[jas0202]

hi All!
Hoping that my fellow DISer veterans will have an answer for me on this one! We are traveling to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. According to Southwest's website, they will release flights and schedules for these dates of travel on June 10. Here's the question...does anyone know historically whether it is most economical to book right on that day when the flights are released, or would it be better to wait and take chances on getting a "deal"? We are trying to get the cheapest flights, obviously, but we don't fly often, so we are not sure if the best rates are right away or if we should wait.

Thanks!

 

[tevisco4]

Hello! I was wondering the same thing when they released our flights for May. I took the plunge about 3-4 weeks after they released the flights because it seems the most economical. Flying from Chicago to Orlando I booked at $120 per person and $74 on the way home. Since then, I have not seen them cheaper and I keep checking. I hope this helps but you never know when the right time to book is... good luck!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Lately, it really depends on the airport you are flying in and out of. But, my experience has taught me that the lower airfare will be when they first come out and will go up from there. Now saying that, SWA does have good sales and you may be able to get a reduction in fare during the time your purchased and the time you fly. Which is why I love SWA, because you can take advantage of the lower fare and not pay a dime to change your reservation. But, you do have to use the credit within a year of your original purchase.

For an example, I was watching a flight from SLC to PHX. Prices came out at $115 each way and stayed that way for months. Recently the prices start inching up and now that flight is $151.

 

[mmouse50]

Don't know if this is going to help you or not - but I purchased 1 one way fare out of Orlando for August 4 (a Wed) on the day that the rates came out - I just looked at the same flight and time it is only 15.00 cheaper - So from December 16th until now it has only gone down 15.00

 

[santa's surpriz]

I booked SW sunday when the prices went up last week, I was afraid it would go up even more. Since then tix have gone down, I now have a credit of $68 to apply towards my return flight that does not havethe date released yet. After learning how easy it is with SW, I doubt I will fly another again!