Christmas Flights

[OnMedic]

Sticker Shock!

What is the historical pricing for flights from BUF or YYZ to MCO over X-mas? We are free to travel on 25 or 26th and returning on the 31st, but WOW...

When does SWA release there flights usually? Are there ever any DINGs for x-mas?

Family of 4 - Most flights are US$2K+, and I have found US in around $1,660 and AT around $1,100.

Thoughts/Ideas?

[OnMedic]

Does anyone here travel at Christmas?

[3kids4me]

Sorry...I don't recognize your airport codes (Buffalo?), but I can tell you that flying out of New York City to MCO for even President's Week has been at least double what it has in the past. We probably won't be going next year for that reason.

All fares have dramatically increased. We bit the bullet on Christmas flights a few months ago (JFK to LAX), and those flights have gone up about a third.

Can't help you on when Southwest will release again; maybe the FlyerTalk board will have some dates for that. I know they do it mid-week, and I doubt you would see Ding fares for that time period going to Florida.

Sharon

[OnMedic]

Originally Posted by 3kids4me

Sorry...I don't recognize your airport codes (Buffalo?), but I can tell you that flying out of New York City to MCO for even President's Week has been at least double what it has in the past. We probably won't be going next year for that reason.

All fares have dramatically increased. We bit the bullet on Christmas flights a few months ago (JFK to LAX), and those flights have gone up about a third.

Can't help you on when Southwest will release again; maybe the FlyerTalk board will have some dates for that. I know they do it mid-week, and I doubt you would see Ding fares for that time period going to Florida.

Sharon

Thanks for th efeedback. I have been reading and it appears we should see the next release around Aug. 24th (best estimates of those that follow SWA) but could be any time now.

[Amy]

We practically always travel around Christmas. I particularly like travelling on Christmas day because the fares are normally cheaper for that day. However, your problem is your return date is right near New Years -- any time you hit the 29th, 30, 31st, 2nd, etc. you are going to take a severe hit in the pocket.

[OnMedic]

I think we lucked out when comparing the airfares for the last 3 days, and we got to stock to Star Alliance!

United: BUF -> ORD -> MCO
US Air: MCO -> CLT -> BUF
Prime time Departure Dec. 23rd, and 7am return Dec. 31st (Back in time for NYE)
4 Persons
CAD$1,300 TOTAL (Est. USD$1,144)

Sure, a far cry from our Spirit Air flight of USD$480 for the 4 of us return at Haloween, but we are happy considering.

Cheers,

[Spence]

Originally Posted by OnMedic

I think we lucked out when comparing the airfares for the last 3 days, and we got to stock to Star Alliance!

United: BUF -> ORD -> MCO
US Air: MCO -> CLT -> BUF
Prime time Departure Dec. 23rd, and 7am return Dec. 31st (Back in time for NYE)
4 Persons
CAD$1,300 TOTAL (Est. USD$1,144)

Sure, a far cry from our Spirit Air flight of USD$480 for the 4 of us return at Haloween, but we are happy considering.

Cheers,

You sound a little happier now than this morning when no one answered you between midnight and 7am, c'mon who are you kidding?

Anyhow, keep checking periodically, because if the prices do get cheaper on your exact flights you may be able to get a voucher for the difference.

We're flying at Xmas 23-30Dec to St Thomas to our last visit to Magens Point Resort. We sold it with use starting next year, 100% profit after 4 years. We'll have used it twice and traded it twice. Those Xmas fares are too much! They're currently ~$850 cheapest DCA-STT, I found them for $450 back at the 330day window, the flights I'm on are currently $1312 each! Unbelievable. I got mine for 20,000 points each off a travel credit card for any ticket under $500.

[OnMedic]

Originally Posted by Spence

You sound a little happier now than this morning when no one answered you between midnight and 7am, c'mon who are you kidding?

Anyhow, keep checking periodically, because if the prices do get cheaper on your exact flights you may be able to get a voucher for the difference.

We're flying at Xmas 23-30Dec to St Thomas to our last visit to Magens Point Resort. We sold it with use starting next year, 100% profit after 4 years. We'll have used it twice and traded it twice. Those Xmas fares are too much! They're currently ~$850 cheapest DCA-STT, I found them for $450 back at the 330day window, the flights I'm on are currently $1312 each! Unbelievable. I got mine for 20,000 points each off a travel credit card for any ticket under $500.

Huh...? who am I kidding for what? 30 hours and lots of views?

Thanks for the feedback on the flights... I will keep watching, but am not holding my breath? We will most likely not travel X-mas again. We like traveling spring and fall best, with maybe a Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach in the summer.

Cheers,

[Spence]

Originally Posted by OnMedic

Huh...? who am I kidding for what? 30 hours and lots of views?

Guess I should look at the dates as carefully as I do when I book air tix!

[OnMedic]

No Prob...

The United site direct indicates fares more then double what we paid, and the US Aur site is about 20 more. We occassionally find deals like that where expedia may have bulk purchased a bunch of seat on a sale or discount and when the carrier seats go up, they have the price advantage until sold out.

[Strong1]

Don't know where in Canada you are, but you could check Detroit. We always get the cheapest flights out of Detroit (DTW airport code) compared to Toronto or usually Buffalo. For the extra couple hours drive it might be worth it. I like sidestep.com for comparing flight costs - usually find my best fare there.

Parking in "Big Blue" parking lot at Detroit Metro is only $6 a day.

Good luck!