What would you do?

[csudell]

We are going to Orlando in November (4 of us for NJ Teachers Convention). I was going to use SW Rapid Rewards for our tix, but the flight down was so cheap, I bought the tickets. On the way back, there were no award seats for the times I wanted, now there are none at all. Way back (Sunday) right now is $248 (too much). Other direct airlines are offering similar fares.

Question is... I can go Airtran through Atlanta (with 2 hours in between) which would pretty much waste the whole day for $151 plus luggage $15. Figure we'd eat something in between flights while we were in Atlanta, so it would likely cost $177 per person by the time we are through.

Should I book Airtran with the layover or wait for a lower fare to come up (on SW preferably but even USAir which also goes non-stop)? I dont mind paying a little more to fly SW direct but not $70 pp. Any thoughts (please)?

[beejaybeeohio]

$248-$177=$75. Is that money worth 2 hours of your time to go AirTran as opposed to SW?

Waiting to see if fares go down is always a crapshoot. Those fare compare websites might help you make your decision as to whether to book now or hold off.

[DebBrown]

I'd personally suck it up and take the direct flight. The more connections, the more chance of lost baggage and flight delays. You can watch for a cheaper flight but that too takes up time. I've sometimes kicked myself for spending countless hours of research to net a minimal savings.

I don't fly SW but is there a chance that more award seats can surface or can someone be holding seats and release them? Did you try checking for just one or two seats? There might not be four seats available but maybe two? Then you'd only be paying for part of the seats.

Deb

[Jimster]

I would probably take air tran and fly first class and pocket $25. If space is available, Air Tran often lets you upgrade at the gate for as little as $50.

[jbcoug]

Originally Posted by csudell

We are going to Orlando in November (4 of us for NJ Teachers Convention). I was going to use SW Rapid Rewards for our tix, but the flight down was so cheap, I bought the tickets. On the way back, there were no award seats for the times I wanted, now there are none at all. Way back (Sunday) right now is $248 (too much). Other direct airlines are offering similar fares.

Question is... I can go Airtran through Atlanta (with 2 hours in between) which would pretty much waste the whole day for $151 plus luggage $15. Figure we'd eat something in between flights while we were in Atlanta, so it would likely cost $177 per person by the time we are through.

Should I book Airtran with the layover or wait for a lower fare to come up (on SW preferably but even USAir which also goes non-stop)? I dont mind paying a little more to fly SW direct but not $70 pp. Any thoughts (please)?

I have two questions, one relevant and one not so much.

1. Is the time you think will be wasted worth $82 to you?

2. Aren't you going to eat that day regardless of the airline you pick, why include this in your decision?

John

[csudell]

Originally Posted by jbcoug

I have two questions, one relevant and one not so much.

1. Is the time you think will be wasted worth $82 to you?

2. Aren't you going to eat that day regardless of the airline you pick, why include this in your decision?

John

1. if the total price difference were $82, it would not be an issue. But its $82 times 4.

2. I would likely not have to eat at the airport if I went a direct flight - could just eat when we got home. that isnt a major factor at all in the decision.

after 15 years in industry, Husband went back to school two years ago to become a teacher. He is now certified to teach and does not have a job. Considering the cost of college and the lack of his income, $348 is a lot of money.

if I didnt already book the accomodations, we would have likely cancelled. i did not have to pay for the park tickets b/c I had disney reward dollars. thought i'd be able to use FF tix for the airline tickets but it didnt work that way. so, now we need to figure out the flying.

[csudell]

Originally Posted by DebBrown

I'd personally suck it up and take the direct flight. The more connections, the more chance of lost baggage and flight delays. You can watch for a cheaper flight but that too takes up time. I've sometimes kicked myself for spending countless hours of research to net a minimal savings.

Deb

I can not agree more! Its almost a bad hobby

[gorevs9]

Originally Posted by csudell

We are going to Orlando in November (4 of us for NJ Teachers Convention).

I don't know your travel dates nor your departure airport, but SW has a sale going on right now and prices from PHL to MCO can be as low as $99 each way on (FRI/SUN) and $60 each way on other days.