SW fare release day- when should I pounce? (For SW or other airlines)

[Mrs~Incredible]

Hi experts. I’ve never had much trouble staying in budget for airfare to Disney, but this year’s prices look high so far.

Currently American Airlines round trip Philly to Orlando in nov is about 500 pp (!!)

I will look at leaving out of a different city, or using two different airlines if I need to.

My questions are:
1. Should I expect American to lower their fares closer to the SW release date? (Hoping)
2. Historically, how do fares fluctuate for SW on release date and shortly thereafter? If I see something in budget should I pounce? I know about the credit if airfare drops, but doubt we will have reason to travel again within the next year.

Thanks so much!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

If you are wanting to fly around Thanksgiving, then the fares on AA may be about as good as they get with minor fluctuations. There's always the chance that those prices will change, but a lot of it depends on your travel dates.

If you have a smart phone, you could always try the Hopper app. It will give you advice on 'wait -price will possibly go lower' or 'buy now' type advice, based on trends for prices for that flight.

You mentioned flying out of a different city. What is your possible other departure city?

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

If you are wanting to fly around Thanksgiving, then the fares on AA may be about as good as they get with minor fluctuations. There's always the chance that those prices will change, but a lot of it depends on your travel dates.

If you have a smart phone, you could always try the Hopper app. It will give you advice on 'wait -price will possibly go lower' or 'buy now' type advice, based on trends for prices for that flight.

You mentioned flying out of a different city. What is your possible other departure city?

Thanks!

We could do frontier out of Trenton, Spirit out of Atlantic City, or SW out of Baltimore.

Our aa price same time last year was about $120 pp cheaper- and still we thought it was high LOL!

I’ll check out that app

Thank you!

 

[larissawbb]

I feel your pain. I’m trying to book a return flight on Columbus Day and both southwest and JetBlue want near 500 a person one way! I haven’t ever spent that much round trip let alone one way. I think you may want to try southwest out of bwi , at least you can rebook and get a credit with them.

 

[mom2rtk]

Anyone know when the SW fares open for the rest of November?

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Anyone know when the SW fares open for the rest of November?

May 30 or 31

 

[mom2rtk]

May 30 or 31

Thanks!

 

[lvdis]

From their Flight Schedules page - https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html?clk=GSUBNAV-AIR-SCHEDULES

We are currently accepting air reservations through November 3, 2018. On May 31, 2018 we will open our schedule for sale through January 6, 2019. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.

In the past I've found Southwest fares to be the lowest on release date. It's been a few years though, so not sure if this still holds true.

 

[pd1138]

I’ve booked through southwest on release day as close to the release ( usually 6-6:30 am) and for the last four years had the absolutely lowest rates for Bwi to Mco and Phl to Mco and I kept checking back all the way up to departure day. Lately BWi has better prices and better selection of non stop flights then PHL.

Edit to say I did this just a couple of months ago and the prices for both have not been as cheap as they were first thing that release morning.....

 

[tamerbelles]

I booked Southwest (IND to MCO) on the morning of release for our September trip. Prices have only gone up since then, and the lowest fares are completely sold out. Another reason to book ASAP: Your boarding assignment with Early Bird Check-In is based on when you purchased. So the sooner, the better if that's a factor for you.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

I booked Southwest (IND to MCO) on the morning of release for our September trip. Prices have only gone up since then, and the lowest fares are completely sold out. Another reason to book ASAP: Your boarding assignment with Early Bird Check-In is based on when you purchased. So the sooner, the better if that's a factor for you.

Good advice!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

I’ve booked through southwest on release day as close to the release ( usually 6-6:30 am) and for the last four years had the absolutely lowest rates for Bwi to Mco and Phl to Mco and I kept checking back all the way up to departure day. Lately BWi has better prices and better selection of non stop flights then PHL.

Edit to say I did this just a couple of months ago and the prices for both have not been as cheap as they were first thing that release morning.....

Thank you, this is awesome intel.

Much appreciated!!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I book the minute they are released. I also try to fly out of PHL to MCO. We are going in November and have our tickets to MCO. Paid $156 PP the minute they were released. The price has only gone up and that same flight is $300 PP.

On May 31 when they release the rest of November I will be buying our return flight. All of the other airlines are crazy expensive. Everything is fluctuating around $275+++ and that's not including bags. I'd rather wait for SW and have my bags included. I'm hoping I can find a return flight for under $200. I'm not holding my breath but I have hope!

I can also do Atlantic City, Baltimore, Trenton or Philly.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

I book the minute they are released. I also try to fly out of PHL to MCO. We are going in November and have our tickets to MCO. Paid $156 PP the minute they were released. The price has only gone up and that same flight is $300 PP.

On May 31 when they release the rest of November I will be buying our return flight. All of the other airlines are crazy expensive. Everything is fluctuating around $275+++ and that's not including bags. I'd rather wait for SW and have my bags included. I'm hoping I can find a return flight for under $200. I'm not holding my breath but I have hope!

I can also do Atlantic City, Baltimore, Trenton or Philly.

Good luck!!

 

[Ngwira]

I book the minute they are released. I also try to fly out of PHL to MCO. We are going in November and have our tickets to MCO. Paid $156 PP the minute they were released. The price has only gone up and that same flight is $300 PP.

On May 31 when they release the rest of November I will be buying our return flight. All of the other airlines are crazy expensive. Everything is fluctuating around $275+++ and that's not including bags. I'd rather wait for SW and have my bags included. I'm hoping I can find a return flight for under $200. I'm not holding my breath but I have hope!

I can also do Atlantic City, Baltimore, Trenton or Philly.

Look at EWR too.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Look at EWR too.

Those flights seem to be the most expensive but i will continue looking.

 

[Ngwira]

Those flights seem to be the most expensive but i will continue looking.

I just booked our flights back. Saturday November 10th at 2:25 in the afternoon, direct non stop flight into philly. $165 one way on American Airlines. We are flying out of Tampa, instead of Orlando. I told my husband the hour and a half drive to Tampa is no different than flying into Newark or BWI as we would still have to find our way back to South Jersey once we arrive (hour and a half to two hour drive). I just booked Tony Hines to shuttle us from French quarter to TIA.

I am just not comfortable with frontier or spirit. I also am not confident that southwest will have affordable fares when they release the schedule on May 31 or the times will be favorable. Their trend has been to only have 2 non stop flights to
Philly from mco at 6am or late at night. The fares also will likely be high since my dates fall right before Veterans Day. Considering all this, I am happy with what we booked.

I was contemplating cutting our vacation short a day, but now I don’t have to. I urge all those looking during that week to check out flights from Tampa international. I booked using points so nothing out of pocket.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I just booked our flights back. Saturday November 10th at 2:25 in the afternoon, direct non stop flight into philly. $165 one way on American Airlines. We are flying out of Tampa, instead of Orlando. I told my husband the hour and a half drive to Tampa is no different than flying into Newark or BWI as we would still have to find our way back to South Jersey once we arrive (hour and a half to two hour drive). I just booked Tony Hines to shuttle us from French quarter to TIA.

I am just not comfortable with frontier or spirit. I also am not confident that southwest will have affordable fares when they release the schedule on May 31 or the times will be favorable. Their trend has been to only have 2 non stop flights to
Philly from mco at 6am or late at night. The fares also will likely be high since my dates fall right before Veterans Day. Considering all this, I am happy with what we booked.

I was contemplating cutting our vacation short a day, but now I don’t have to. I urge all those looking during that week to check out flights from Tampa international. I booked using points so nothing out of pocket.

We are flying home 11/11 so flights are insane! Who is Tony Hines and how much does that cost? This is something I’ll look into.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I just booked our flights back. Saturday November 10th at 2:25 in the afternoon, direct non stop flight into philly. $165 one way on American Airlines. We are flying out of Tampa, instead of Orlando. I told my husband the hour and a half drive to Tampa is no different than flying into Newark or BWI as we would still have to find our way back to South Jersey once we arrive (hour and a half to two hour drive). I just booked Tony Hines to shuttle us from French quarter to TIA.

I am just not comfortable with frontier or spirit. I also am not confident that southwest will have affordable fares when they release the schedule on May 31 or the times will be favorable. Their trend has been to only have 2 non stop flights to
Philly from mco at 6am or late at night. The fares also will likely be high since my dates fall right before Veterans Day. Considering all this, I am happy with what we booked.

I was contemplating cutting our vacation short a day, but now I don’t have to. I urge all those looking during that week to check out flights from Tampa international. I booked using points so nothing out of pocket.

I just found the tony hinds info. And flights from Tampa to Philly are cheaper. 7:45 pm flight for $200. That’s not bad. More than I’m used to paying but it is jersey week.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

TOny is $180 one way to Tampa for me. Since it’s just DD and myself it might not be worth it. I can do a rental for $80 for the day and drop off at Tampa. Uber seems to be around $70-80 also.