WWYD? Jetblue or SW

[kitkat4622]

so Jetblue releases their rates for my 4/16/-4/24 vacation on july 8th. SW does not release these dates until sometime in August. Would you grab jetblue right away if you found a good rate from Boston to Orlando or would you wait for the SW prices to come out...

 

[bookgirl]

Jet Blue is now going to charge baggage fees. See if it applies to your fare and add in the cost before deciding.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/jetblue-sets-new-fare-classes-bag-fees-1435675856

 

[HeatherC]

I would grab a good rate if it came out...unless I am booking with reward points on Southwest.

Are you in New England? The rates are always crazy for school vacation weeks and the best fares go almost within the first few minutes of when the booking window opens.

What I usually do is check now for the flights and cheapest airports near you. That way when the rates open you can jump on the exact flight you want at the best price. Also...if you can go a day early or come back two days later you may find the rates are WAY less.

Good luck!

 

[jec6613]

If the price is good enough, I've booked 11 months in advance - last time I did that, I got the J cabin for $100 more than the Y price.

You will get charged baggage fees booking on B6 now, and you should also check DL and AA for their fares - which by the way are already for sale. Frequently the legacies can come up cheaper than the LCCs, depending on the route, and it doesn't cost anything to check and ask.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Jet Blue is now going to charge baggage fees. See if it applies to your dates and add in the cost before deciding.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/jetblue-sets-new-fare-classes-bag-fees-1435675856

You are not quite correct. You will have to pay for a checked bag if you purchase the lowest fare class, Blue, not if you purchase other fare classes.

 

[Jimsig]

Also remember between BOS and MCO that JB has non-stop flights and SW does not so that's something to factor in. With SW you will either have a stop and have to change planes or a stop with no change of planes.

 

[bookgirl]

You are not quite correct. You will have to pay for a checked bag if you purchase the lowest fare class, Blue, not if you purchase other fare classes.

Should have said if it applied to her fare not her date. But that's why I tagged the article.

 

[momtwoboys]

I would take JB for the nonstop flights and assigned seats. we have done well booking the morning they release, and then when sw released theirs the last few years... the price was not much lower so we were glad! booking again on wed for next april.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Southwest's open seating policy is not for us......pre-selected seats on Jetblue are a must for our family. We also like the space of the Jetblue seating (and the ability to upgrade to Even More Space for a small fee). Then there's the TV's on each seat, a sanity saver for less-than-enthusiastic flyers like us.

We can often get Southwest cheaper than Jetblue out of Buffalo, but we consider the journey part of the vacation. The extra cost (if there is one) for Jetblue is worth it for us.

 

[n2mm]

I would choose jetblue over SW if the prices were similar. Keep in mind that jetblue fare with one bag is $15 more while SW has its $12.50 EB. You can get away without buying all jetblue tier 2 fares for all travelers. Though you have to book separate reservations. I'll be watching JetBlue fares tomorrow too.

 

[kitkat4622]

Also remember between BOS and MCO that JB has non-stop flights and SW does not so that's something to factor in. With SW you will either have a stop and have to change planes or a stop with no change of planes.

I am definitely looking to go non stop. We took JetBlue in November and there was nothing that we did'nt like about them. It will be interesting tomorrow morning when flights come out. Hoping it won't cost me an arm and a leg...LOL

 

[monorailsilver]

I hate the baggage fee but what can I do...and no I won't fly Southwest the seating is just scary for a family.

This past April we flew delta with a connection and we each had 2 carry on bags...oy! It was my dh and I, our 3 kids and my mom who is forgetful.

I am anxiously awaiting booking JB tomorrow since they have a direct flight from Hartford to Ft. Myers and I was discussing the bags with my dh and what to do. Each bag we check will be $20 so if the difference in flight between Blue and the mid level has to be more then that for me to just get the blue level. If it is less then $20 I will book us all mid range. We will only check a maximum of 4 bags for the 6 of us. 2 of my kids have duffel bags and we can put them in the over head bin if needed.

A little less then 19 hours to go to book! Anticipation is killing me!

 

[kitkat4622]

A little less then 19 hours to go to book! Anticipation is killing me!

I can totally relate to this. I will be booking on my phone (I hope) while hubby has a medical procedure done....hoping the hospital has a good wifi connection

 

[Yellowjj]

Also keep in mind, a route that is flown now, may not be flown 9 months later.

 

[momtwoboys]

trying to decide if we will book all the lowest fare for 4 of us then add 2 checked bags, or book 2 of us in the mid tier and 2 of us lowest. Not sure if its worth the chance to do 2 sep reservations and in that time some flights can go up in price. I know how fast that happens!

 

[princessap]

momtwoboys I am debating same thing…I decided to book all five at lowest fare and then add bags later….we would never check five bags and last year flights went up in the hour after we booked!!! am going to be on at 9am and book right away!

 

[momtwoboys]

yep same for us we have been booking our april trips for years on the day of the release, and then I check the flights again all day and thank myself for being so quick! I guess we will stick with 4 lowest fares then add 2 on at online check in. We dont overpack and that is our norm anyway.... 2 suitcases for 4 ppl. good luck tomorrow!!!! I am booking out of BDL !

 

[princessap]

Good luck to you too!!! booking out of buffalo and hoping for good prices and flight times similar to ones they have now!!! they work perfect for us!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Good luck to you too!!! booking out of buffalo and hoping for good prices and flight times similar to ones they have now!!! they work perfect for us!

I'll also be pricing fares out of Buffalo (or Syracuse) for April. Fingers crossed for all of us! We will be comparing Jetblue's prices (with the exchange to Canadian funds) to Westjet's fares (where seat selection and baggage will both be extra cost considerations).

 

[Mousemommy1]

For those in New England, SW out of MHT has direct flights for FYI but unfortunately, the flights are usually crazy high during school vacation week for NH (last week).

I was hoping to book JB as well. We usually fly JB out of BOS for our April trips anyway but their website is all kinds of messed up this morning...grrrrrr......