Who Thinks SW Fares Will Go Lower?

[Bowen9475]

We are going to WDW July 29 - August 10 for a convention the weekend of August 2-4. We are using our DVC points to stay at BWV, already booked. I was out most of yesterday. During a quick stop at home I saw that SW was open through August. I checked our dates for our famiuly of 5 - from Manchester ($779), from Providence ($1186.50) and from Hartford ($1676.50). I couldn't believe how high PVD and BDL were. I would have booked from Manchester but did not have enough time right then. When I came home again Manchester was up to $1569 and PVD up to $1576.50. BDL was the same as earlier. I know that if we book at the higher fares and the price goes down we will get credit but I don't know when we fly again after the August trip. We have no other trips planned in the foreseeable future. So, to make a long story short, who thinks we will see better prices and when would you guess that would be? Thank you!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Yes, I think the prices will go down for you, way down. I would just wait it out and not worry.

 

[Darcy03231]

Last year I missed the day when SW opened their flights (I was going in August 2006). I found that in late March/early April the prices went down again. They didn't go as low as the opening day prices but were only $20 more per ticket ($10 each way).

 

[my3princes]

I couldn't believe that those prices doubled yesterday. I was lucky enough to book 5 of us from MHT to MCO on nonstop roundtrip flights for $779 total. Later in the day they were $1569 I'm glad that I didn't hesitate. We had planned to drive, but couldn't resist that deal. Good luck finding cheaper flights. Sometimes Delta runs specials out of BOS or maybe JetBlue out of BTV? Good luck

Deb

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Last year I was kicking myself for not booking my December trip sooner on Southwest, and the prices had gone up. Then a month of two later Southwest announced a sale and the December fares were included. Eventually a DING came along and I was able to get ever more off.

I think in general the fares are high when released, but sales and DINGs later on bring them down considerably.

 

[UConnJack]

I hope so, because I'll be flying Airtran or JetBlue out of SWF in May for $200 if they don't. Being in Central CT, MHT is a little too far (and tough to get to through rush hour), so BDL and PVD were the only choices. BDL was wayyyyy to high, and PVD wasn't good enough to justify the 1.5 hr drive.

I will wait it out since Airtran or JetBlue fares out of SWF have been holding steady and open up to 2 weeks out. If I don't get a SW sale or a Ding, I'll drive 1.5 hr west to SWF instead of 1.5 hr east to PVD.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I think seeing just what we are seeing here on the boards, is why the prices are higher when they release new dates. We see a normal fare, then it goes up. We panic and think we better get it. Sure, they give us a credit later when it goes back down, but that starts the cycle of us flying with them over and over.

 

[slruud]

In my experience, this is typical with SWA. They extend their dates right in the middle of their current system wide sale with a readjustment of fares, usually higher. Seeing as their current sale goes through February 22, I would just wait it out. Be signed up for email updates and have DING! installed and everything should be fine.

 

[sherrie]

Uconn jack where do you fly out of, I leave from Bradley and do not see airtran or jetblue leaving from there

 

[keishashadow]

have been checking our 1 ways from MCO to PIT, they went up this am!

guess i do have a bargin - NOT.

hopefully, a month or 2 out they'll lower or DING?

 

[emmabelle]

So, to make a long story short, who thinks we will see better prices and when would you guess that would be? Thank you!

The planes will be so empty if they leave summer fares at $148 each way MHT to MCO. I definately think they'll come down. I booked last April for August at $122 each way, so stupid, I ended up with $44 each way on a Ding fare.

 

[UConnJack]

Uconn jack where do you fly out of, I leave from Bradley and do not see airtran or jetblue leaving from there

I'd be looking at Airtran and Jetblue out of SWF (Newburgh, NY), about 1.5 hrs west on I-84. No further than PVD would be and a VERY easy airport to get in and out of. Plus the drive on I-84 isn't too bad as long as you aren't in rush hour. Waterbury to Danbury can be tough going west in AM and east in PM, but otherwise, pretty clear sailing.

Airtran and Jetblue fly out of there at similar times and rates as Westchester (HPN), its a little further but parking is infinitly cheaper (~$50 week). Currently bothe have rates to FL at $99 each way.

 

[Neelloc]

In my experience, this is typical with SWA. They extend their dates right in the middle of their current system wide sale with a readjustment of fares, usually higher. Seeing as their current sale goes through February 22, I would just wait it out. Be signed up for email updates and have DING! installed and everything should be fine.

I agree, wait for a DING. When my dates for last September were released, it was $59 each way. Dings got me $39 each way by waiting til July to book for September.

Wait! Wait! Wait!

 

[Jennyvelaz]

The planes will be so empty if they leave summer fares at $148 each way MHT to MCO. I definately think they'll come down. I booked last April for August at $122 each way, so stupid, I ended up with $44 each way on a Ding fare.

I'm going to keep reading your post over and over and over again to keep my mind calm!!!! Thanks for the ray of sunshine!

 

[Waseller77]

My sister has been waiting for a few months for availability on Southwest's flights to open up and she ended up waiting too long. We leave on March 3 and Southwest's cheapest flights are $158 from Albany to MCO. She just found a non-stop flight on United from Albany for $66. She would have preferred to give her money to Southwest as they have been good to her in the past, but she just can't afford to wait anymore!

 

[shafke]

I just saw on these news today that SW raised their fares on flight of over 1000 miles by $20. Granted that this is problably the non discounted fare but I would not expect the deals that they have had in the past.

 

[Jennyvelaz]

I'm still waiting...I can't even find where their sales are for Tampa!
The unavailables are worrisome! I'm going to call and see how booked the plane really is! I am so tired of the useless DINGs that have two or three flights listed! I feel really toyed with!

 

[K9pal]

Last fall we booked at a higher rate and it went down twice before we went. I was able to get the difference credited to our credit card because we rebooked the same flights, just at a lower rate. I did the request by letter to Customer Service at the address on the web site. However, if you book a Ding and get a lower Ding, I understand that you only get SW credit for future use.

Since this is a very special trip for us, I booked our flights down yesterday at the Fun Fare rate just to be sure we got seats. When the FF rate opens for the return flight, I'll book that. Then hope for Internet rates and even a Ding. I'd just rather be safe than sorry. But even at the FF rate, it's almost $800 more than we budgeted.

 

[jdd]

I would wait - definitely check this weekend. They seem to come out with sales on holiday weekends. When we went in Nov 05, the deals came out on Columbus Day weekend, and ONLY for the weekend - Monday night at midnight the deals were gone! Luckily we had booked before then. The deal back then was $39 one way (from Pittsburgh). This year we got in on the $49 one way for April - I don't think they'll be doing the $39 anymore....

 

[keishashadow]

I would wait - definitely check this weekend. They seem to come out with sales on holiday weekends. When we went in Nov 05, the deals came out on Columbus Day weekend, and ONLY for the weekend - Monday night at midnight the deals were gone! Luckily we had booked before then. The deal back then was $39 one way (from Pittsburgh). This year we got in on the $49 one way for April - I don't think they'll be doing the $39 anymore....

i haven't seen a ding yet from PIT to MCO for Sat or Sunday...are they usually excluded? None for Columbus Day last year that I 'caught'.

Q: are they usually only for the connecting flights?

i'm so confused