Does anyone know when Thanksgiving flights will be open ... I need MCO to Midway
As I suspected, SWA let me down...
It's just three of us going and I have to book at least one leg of our trip on SWA points because I spent a good chunk of our airfare budget on points to "top-off" what I had already in my account. I was hoping that I could get fares under $200 each....wrong!
GRR-MCO...we want to go on Friday night but we cannot leave before 5pm due to school. SWA has 2 options...one departs at 5:00pm, makes 2 stops and lands at 11:55pm for the bargain price of $305 per person. The other option is a steal at "only" $254 per person, departing at 6:40pm and only stopping once before landing at 11:55pm.
The return trip is only slightly better...but we have to change our dates. We originally planned to come home on Friday, but not at these prices. The cheapest option is again $254 per person and that would mean a 9am departure and a 4-hour layover in Chicago with a 7-hour total travel time...no thank you! There is only one option on the Friday schedule that is even remotely appealing (departs at 6:40pm and lands at 11:55pm) and it is currently listed at $305 so unless that comes down A LOT, we will not be coming home on Friday.
In case you are keeping track, yes, that is $500-$600 per person, round-trip, from GRR-MCO and nothing is non-stop.
I think my points are going to be used to book our return trip for Saturday morning instead. Right now, there is an EARLY (6:10am!) flight that is only $164 so I can get all three of us on that flight. It's not ideal, and I am hoping that the prices go down for Friday and I can change, but for now, it's the only option. There is no way I am going to fly down on SWA, even if the prices drop. I can book us on a flight on Delta that leaves GRR at 5pm and lands at 10:30pm (an hour and a half earlier than we could arrive on SWA!) for only $167. Since we would only check one bag between the three of us, I could care less about SWA and their "free" checked bags. Their airfare is TRIPLE what Delta's is so their baggage is not "free" as far as I am concerned.
Ours are cheaper if we fly into Tampa but since we are staying at Daytona a few days, that means a 2.5 hour drive one way once we get off the plane. We're holding out on buying tickets just yet. Might even hold off until June at this point. We're prepared to drive if we have to but I'm not shelling out $500-$600 for a RT plane ticket X 5.
Ours are cheaper if we fly into Tampa but since we are staying at Daytona a few days, that means a 2.5 hour drive one way once we get off the plane. We're holding out on buying tickets just yet. Might even hold off until June at this point. We're prepared to drive if we have to but I'm not shelling out $500-$600 for a RT plane ticket X 5.
Oh my, that’s a lot of $$$! Not sure how long your drive would be, but I’d consider it especially if you have more than one driver.
Have you considered Clearwater beaches? They are absoutely stunning. Daytona Beach is nice in it’s own right, esp if a racing fan, totally different vibe though. Sanford is closer to Daytona than MCO, might be an option for you if your market serves it.
FYI, rental car prices have been off the charts too. Make sure to get something in place there.
As of today (from March 8th) our one way BNA-MCO flight has went from $91, $291, $295, and then (drum roll please).......$336!!!!
Ouch. I hope you booked but if not I recommend holding out to see if it drops or if you can wait until June for the big sale. Just remember you need at least 21 in advance for a sale.
Did you snag a great fare then last year?
Did find a nice fare in in the June, 2015 promo, but not since for the June sales in any of the markets we fly.
Out of several pending flights, they were a bit lower than what they had segued up to by that point, yet still more than we were holding.
I did find a great fare last year. I think I paid $128 each way but that is out of SF going in December. This year we are going in October and we booked already. It was $144 each way but it was the first time we have ever seen a non stop fly out of the west coast. We had to jump on it but hope maybe for some credit back in June. We have a couple other trips that a credit would be great for.
Congrats Any time i can find a fare from PIT to LAS, LAX or SNA under $400 RT I’m dancing. Usually more like $600 initially on SWA. Now & again Spirit will produce but such a long flight in cramped seats, makes you appreciate SWA lol