Why the High Airfare?

[MinnieVanMom]

Dates: 25/26 March from either JAC or SLC to MCO
Return: 3 April MCO either JAC or SLC

Airfare from JAC nearly $900 PP, from SLC over $600 on Delta. All other options not much better with SWA from SLC over $500 PP.

Why is the airfare so much during these dates, it is not even close to Easter. I have DVC booked but now may cancel because I just refuse to pay that much with 4 people flying. We can go when school gets our for 1/3 the price.

 

[ancestry]

Many schools across the country have spring break throughout various weeks in March and/or April. Where I live many of the colleges are on spring break that week. Air fare is always high during spring break/holiday periods. Disney is also going to be pretty crowded during those dates.

 

[drew64]

Spring breaks, high demand, low inventory, lots of reasons.

Airline pricing is all about yield management.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Unless the prices come down on or before Nov. 30 we are going to cancel our trip and rebook for when school gets out.

 

[Pembo]

That's our spring break week...

 

[can]

Spring breaks, high demand, low inventory, lots of reasons.

Airline pricing is all about yield management.

I guess what I am trying to figure out, what is so different about this year than a year ago? Still spring breaks, high demand, and low inventory; but, this year airfares are higher. Just saw on Good Morning America that rates have increased 18% since a year ago. When you are paying almost $500 for a rt, how can an airline say they are an "economy" airline?

 

[skiingfast]

Dates: 25/26 March from either JAC or SLC to MCO
Return: 3 April MCO either JAC or SLC

Airfare from JAC nearly $900 PP, from SLC over $600 on Delta. All other options not much better with SWA from SLC over $500 PP.

Why is the airfare so much during these dates, it is not even close to Easter. I have DVC booked but now may cancel because I just refuse to pay that much with 4 people flying. We can go when school gets our for 1/3 the price.

I looked at Bing travel, that's here and got results for half that out of Jackson didn't try Salt Lake.

Do you ever fly out of IF? I rarely get a better rate, not one to make up for gas and time or a hotel to go there. But I know some people that have.


See you around the Square?

 

[chamonix]

Where are you flying from? Unless it's international, you can surely do better, hold out.....

What airline are you referring to that is calling itself economy? If it's Southwest, i always say that people default to looking at SW because they expect it to be cheaper, but it just isn't cheaper anymore, all the time. Shop around. Be prepared to change dates, times, add a connection, etc. I swear Southwest makes most of their money because people ONLY shop their website because they "know" they'll be the cheapest, but it just isn't true anymore.

Post your dates, airport, etc and i bet folks here will find cheaper flights.

 

[skiingfast]

Where are you flying from? Unless it's international, you can surely do better, hold out.....

Post your dates, airport, etc and i bet folks here will find cheaper flights.

FWIW I flew the same route. JAC to MCO. A base rate from JAC to anywhere is $350. It's only served by at least 2 and at most 5 airlines depending on the time of year. Well really only United, Delta and American and thier partners.

My last trip to WDW was simply because I came across a rate of $305 and was shocked so I grabbed it while I could it was about 5 months out. Then I found a hotels and park tickets later.

Typically when I look at that rate I find about $550.

From SLC you have the option of many more airlines. Including Southwest, Jetblue, Midwest and Frontier. So there is at the least more competition. But that takes hours of driving and likely a hotel stay near the airport.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I looked at Bing travel, that's here and got results for half that out of Jackson didn't try Salt Lake.

Do you ever fly out of IF? I rarely get a better rate, not one to make up for gas and time or a hotel to go there. But I know some people that have.


See you around the Square?

Our dates are locked in because DSS can't leave school until 11:30 am on Friday 25 March and we must return on 3 April. So that leaves us with a little wiggle for the 25/26 March. I was surprised to find something around $533 with price break at $500 so says DH. Still a bit more and JAC rather than the 4 hour drive to SLC would be worth it. Times 4 people ???

We do go out of the IF when the price is right. We have a friend over there takes our car for us so that is also a savings. I really just shop the price and go with who can offer us the best vs. driving to SLC.

This trip is centered around DSS and DH is going to do what it takes to make it happen. Lucky for me, this time the cost goes to him.

Lastly, I never in my dreams thought there would be someone from JAC on the boards. You may not see me on the square but you will see me riding once JHMR opens and the pows gets deep.

SYOTM
Minnie

 

[MinnieVanMom]

And how can I make a kul sliding pumpkin with my name???? I want one!

 

[skiingfast]

Our dates are locked in because DSS can't leave school until 11:30 am on Friday 25 March and we must return on 3 April. So that leaves us with a little wiggle for the 25/26 March. I was surprised to find something around $533 with price break at $500 so says DH. Still a bit more and JAC rather than the 4 hour drive to SLC would be worth it. Times 4 people ???

We do go out of the IF when the price is right. We have a friend over there takes our car for us so that is also a savings. I really just shop the price and go with who can offer us the best vs. driving to SLC.

This trip is centered around DSS and DH is going to do what it takes to make it happen. Lucky for me, this time the cost goes to him.

Lastly, I never in my dreams thought there would be someone from JAC on the boards. You may not see me on the square but you will see me riding once JHMR opens and the pows gets deep.

SYOTM
Minnie

That's a real pickle because of flying out later in the PM. I looked at the next day too and it's not better. Nor was it out of IF.

If you do SLC I saw some redeyes after 6pm. They depart at 8pm but they arrive at MCO at 5:30am. Might work if you guys can sleep on the plane(s).

Bing found them through orbitz. or Delta. $430 to $520. It's also suggesting that the SLC to MCO rates will drop.

If I don't see you on the square then on the mountain will work.

 

[Brian Noble]

guess what I am trying to figure out, what is so different about this year than a year ago?

The airlines have done a *very* good job of reducing capacity, and keeping it low as travel demand has started to inch up. That's led to much stronger fares and, it turns out, profitable operations. You can still catch a sale, but they are fewer and farther between, *and* less generous, than they have been in the past.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We saw that red eye and did consider it but with DS being SN we thought not. It would us adults just ruined for the day.

DH did end up buying SWA from SLC to MCO. We got then 1 way and then back also 1 way so if there is a sale we can change and get credit.

I have never had to look so early for flights before and I have never been so shocked to see prices so outrageous. The airlines know when people need to fly and are taking advantage of getting every penny.

From now on our trips will be off peak times.

If we find a cheaper or better flight with another airlines we will be able to get credit and use SWA to get us to the airport of our annual Europe tour.

Thanks for all the help. Now DS wants to add emoticons.
: