[Val32]

I have never flown Southwest and quite frankly I dont know how you get the DING fares but Iam really considering them now for my Nov. Trip.

I just checked them again and am really reconsidering travelling 2hrs to Philly because of their great NO EXTRA FEES low rates!!!!!!!!! (see my airfare fees chart)

My original dates were 10/31 -11/9 but I was thinking about coming home 1 day early on the 8th so I check southwest fares AND....

If I leave the evening of 10/30 (can try to work MOST of that day) at 7:30pm (dont want to take the last flight just in case and dont want to get to hotel after midnite) and fly home on Nov. 8th at 3:30pm (8am was $40 cheaper but TOO Early! ), the fare for DD and Me is $552.00 TOTAL!!!

Not bad eh??? I would only have to leave 1 day earlier, maybe leave work by 3pm? Or maybe a lil earlier and drive to Philly or look into car service???
Coming home, I wanted to come home later because I originally had a CM"s dinner ADR booked but I can deal with that and try to fit it in somewhere else.

And if I leave 1 nite earlier I will book a cheap hotel in Maingate, last time it was like $44 or something.

I know Iam paying a lil extra here and there but I think it will be worth it because Iam getting the closest to the days I wanted, and the fare is lower and I wont have to pay for my luggage or seats, etc...


So can I get some input from someone that has some experience with SouthWest and anyone else who would to add something.
Thank you!

[DisneyTeacher]

We only fly SWA and love it. I know a lot of people don't like their boarding but we love it. Check in exactly 24 hours out and you'll be fine. You now line up in order according to your boarding pass so there's no need to line up an hour or more early. Everyone just gets in order when your group is called.

We have only been late once and that was due to our plane coming in late because of a security issue at another airport. The crew is always nice and very friendly.

To get DINGs you have to go to their website and download the program.

[Val32]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

We only fly SWA and love it. I know a lot of people don't like their boarding but we love it. Check in exactly 24 hours out and you'll be fine. You now line up in order according to your boarding pass so there's no need to line up an hour or more early. Everyone just gets in order when your group is called.

We have only been late once and that was due to our plane coming in late because of a security issue at another airport. The crew is always nice and very friendly.

To get DINGs you have to go to their website and download the program.

SouthWest is the airline with no pre-reserved seating, is that correct?

Do you mean check in online 24hrs before? (sorry to be dope but I want to make sure Iam understanding right! lol)

Oh I signed up for their rewards programs and to get emails for specials. I have to look for the Ding's now.

I didnt book yet, I want to be sure when I pay for the tickets.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by Val32

SouthWest is the airline with no pre-reserved seating, is that correct?

Do you mean check in online 24hrs before? (sorry to be dope but I want to make sure Iam understanding right! lol)

Oh I signed up for their rewards programs and to get emails for specials. I have to look for the Ding's now.

I didnt book yet, I want to be sure when I pay for the tickets.

Yes, you check in 24 hours out online. Once you board the plane you pick your seat. I think it's quicker than people trying to locate their assigned seat. With SWA you just grab the first set of seats that fits your family.

[MitchFam]

I always try to fly southwest. One of the best things is if you need to change your ticket, it is very easy and will not cost you any extra fees. Yesterday, I found out that the cost of my return flight dropped for the 4 of us, so I was able to get a $100 credit. I then turned around and applied that to a more expensive flight at a better time on our arriving flight. All it cost me is $8 total for the changes. Now I don't have to get the kids up at 5 am to get to the airport. Yea! If you make changes and get a credit (sorry, not cash back!), you usually have 1 year to "redeem" your credit. It seems that other airlines charge a FORTUNE if you want to make a change. What if great-grama is in the hospital? Kid with stomach flu? Life is unpredictable...so the flexibility is important to me! Personally, having assigned seats is not important to me, so that part is no big deal. Hope this helps.

[Jennatrz]

We have flown swa and we think it is a good alternative for the price. Sign up for the email alerts.

[Val32]

Thank you each of you for your replies, they are all very helpful!

I would rather fly Jet blue out of Newark but their fares are higher right now and they are charging extra fees too for bags (although lower than continental). I have to go with what is cheaper right now and what days they have the fares available for.

I signed up for everything with SWA, lol.

[Dana]

Val - I have heard nothing but praises being sung about SW. I am concerned with you driving all that extra time, possibly needing a car service and a hotel room to fly with them. Those extra costs are going to end up costing you the same as a flight closer to home. Break all the charges down and compare before you decide.

[ddoll]

I too am a SW fan. I only travel with them now if at all possible. We're going the same dates as you and I have already changed my ressies 3 times to get more credit. I always end up getting a free fare somewhere down the line with all my built-up credits.

[jo-jo]

Another thing about the SW credit, the credit can be used toward any body's ticket. We booked flights four months ago for my DH and I. Then the fare went lower. I got credit for the difference and plan to use it for my DS and his new wife for their honeymoon. The only catch is you have to used the credit with one yr of purchasing the original ticket.

[dancing4disney]

I have only flown SW and have had very few problems. We did have a delayed flight last summer due to weather but that was it.

[gina]

My family fly Sw and have no problems. We will fly again soon.

[karliebug]

Val, we always go either airtran or Southwest. What we do is get the first flight of the day (usually 7am). We then book a hotel near the airport at parksleepfly.com for the evening before and leave our car there for the duration of the trip. That way we get up and take their shuttle right to the airport and start off our trip fresh. It usually costs about the same as the parking at the airport anyway. When we return, we call for the hotel shuttle and go back to get our car. This allows us to get to WDW on our first day by 10am!

[Dawn]

We only fly SWA and we luv it. The most I have paid for a flight lately was $550 (see my signature ) Have changed the flights many times to get the lower prices and have never had a problem. Also you can check in online 24 hours before but you can also do it over your phone with their mobile internet site which is listed on their website. This way you can do it for your return trip without having to relie on someone being near a computer for the return trip.

Again only delayed 2 times in all the times that I have used SWA. Once the flight was canceled but they put us on the very next flight which was 2 hours later. Remember to check your flight status before you leave home. We forgot to The second time was because of weather. There were horrible storms all along the eastcoast. Again everyone was very nice.

Also if you are renting a car check out the rates into Tampa. We have flown
into Tampa, rented a car and drove to WDW. The ride was about an hour but still the prices were sooooooo much cheaper than flying into Orlando, if you can believe that . Make sure to set up your Ding for Tampa too because sometime you can get the flight for $47 there while orlando is still $79 or more.

Have a great time. I am waiting to start stalking for Jan 2009

[ddoll]

Originally Posted by Dawn

Also you can check in online 24 hours before but you can also do it over your phone with their mobile internet site which is listed on their website. This way you can do it for your return trip without having to relie on someone being near a computer for the return trip.

Can you tell me specifically how that works?