Why differing SW fares based on party size?

[trtl6941]

I am so confused! I just booked 5 tickets from Providence to Orlando for April for $145 each one way..... (I used reward points for 3 and then paid cash for the other 2). Anyway, we picked the 8:15 PM flight which is not ideal with 3 kids because the 5:45 PM flight was $180 one way. I just went back and looked, putting in one passenger and the 5:45 PM flight was $145, not $180? When I change the # of passengers to 2 or more (up to 5 which we need) the flight is still available but not at $145! What the heck??

 

[goofy4tink]

SW has only so many seats available at various fares. So, you may very well go over the remaining number of seats if you look for more than one. Once those seats are gone, they're gone. The next seats will have a different price.

 

[trtl6941]

*smacks head*

I feel so dumb. That makes sense and actually, the cheap fare that came up was a "web only" and the more expensive wasn't. Oops! OK, never mind, carry on everyone, obviously I need more coffee

 

[Lewisc]

It's true with all airlines. You'll only see the lowest fare which is available for everyone in your party. Assume there are 2 tickets available for 200 and 2 for 250. Book a party of 4 and you'll pay $1000. Book 2 tickets then book 2 more and you'll pay 900.

 

[jcarwash]

As Lewisc is suggesting, to get the lower fares, what you can do is put your party onto separate itineraries.

The pro is you can save a little money by sizing the group to the lower fares you see available. Some will cost the lower fare and some will cost the higher fare.

The con to this is you have to manage separate confirmation numbers for check-in, etc., and then you may or may not have boarding numbers close to each other.

But the result is you may be able to save a little money and ultimately you are all on the same plane. You aren't required to put your whole party onto one itinerary.

 

[lakohls]

Just had same experience today with Southwest for spring break 2013. Only able to get 1 at lower rate, other 5 at $34 more each..... Adds up quickly.