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Cindy and I have always taken a direct flight out of St. Louis to MBJ via Frontier Airlines charter in February, however the cost has gone from $450.00 each to almost $750.00. I see that Southwest has a direct out of Chicago Midway for much less. St. Louis is much more convenient for us but the costs are killing us. Any opinions on Southwest or anyone that has flown out of Chicago Midway. Thanks for the help.
I did it in July and it was Awesome....on time and wonderful!! Highly recommend it!
Most people love Southwest, but I will just say do your homework on the check in and boarding process. It's not like other airlines, and if you don't master the process, there's a chance that you won't be able to sit next to each other, or get crappy seats (e.g. in the back, next to the bathroom).
What Mike_D wrote. I have taken numerous flights with them, they are fine and TWO FREE BAGS!
The flight down was horrendous. See the most recent post in "Rage"
I have flown SW for years, all told over 200 flights, all airlines will have occasional issues but I highly recommend them. When you book and traveling with someone, spend the few bucks and get the "Earlybird" check-in and you won't have the seating issues for the most part. I really like using them for vacation travel due to the 2 bags fly free. When going skiing in Utah, New Mexico, Tahoe or Colorado, extra baggage fees can kill you with a ski bag, boots + clothing. Haven't flown with them to MBJ yet but I would expect the same great service we have come to expect.
I have had really good experience with Southwest, they certainly don't nickle and dime you to death like most airlines today. The two free bags policy is GOLDEN!
I have never had a problem with Southwest. I love the convenience of being able to fly of MDW on Southwest. It is closer to my house. Can't wait to fly of out MDW to MBJ later this year. :)
I flew Southwest for the first time a few weeks ago. I travelled with my 10 month old daughter. I got the EARLY-BIRD Check-in to make sure we got on first...BUT I didn't really need it because families board after GROUP A and before GROUP B. There are pros and cons to the early-bird check in... Southwest does not put a cap on the number of early bird's brought on a flight so literally everyone can purchase it, and it does NOT gurantee you a GROUP A boarding.
I enjoyed the 2 free bags!!! Seats were comfy and that meant ALOT to me being that I a FLUFFY and had my 10-month old sitting on my lap.
Love Southwest ............. numerous flight to / from Florida / Wisconsin every year ........... now that they have taken over AirTran routes to MBJ will be doing that also. TWO free bags are awesome ! ! Don't be cheap and pay the $12 for early boarding and you will have the pick of your seats.
I got an email from Southwest today that they are running a Caribbean airfare special and they are now booking Atlanta to Montego Bay direct.
Discounted fares if you book before August 14th with travel from 2 weeks out through sometime in December.
I put in a few dates at random and most came back at $300 pp r/t, close to half what we usually pay.
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#Southwestairlines Deck Party Monday at Love Field. Great show and information about upcoming routes and plans to expand Houston and Ft Lauderdale. The strategy is to grow existing feeder markets, sorry no Philladelphia I asked:(.
Is Southwest really that cheap,the i wanna getaway cost shows $777.00 non stop, round trip for 2 people with 2 free bags.US Airs best price is 705.00 PP from Charlotte plus $50.00 for 2 bags each way so that is $1510.00 vs $777.00.Atlanta is 4 hours away from Charlotte(and our house)but for that savings we could stay in a park and fly hotel in Atlanta the night before we leave and save a bunch of Red stripe money!! Anyone know if there is some kind of catch to the i wanna getaway bookings?
no catches, that is just the term they use for early bookings.
Saving $800.00 so the $116.00 dollar park and fly is paid for and the beer money that is left covers most of the vacation.I have to run this by the Mrs. but it seems to good to pass up.Thanks for the info everyone,y'all are the best!
I paid 322 rt from Chicago non stop for Nov and 2 bags free you can't beat that
Wanna get away tickets are not refundable-so if you have to cancel your trip (or miss your domestic flight) it will cost you. That being said-I've flown Southwest often and would recommend it for service and price
With Southwest, if you have to cancel any flight with "Wanna Get Away" fare and do it within 10 minutes of scheduled flight time, you do not lose your money, it is rolled over into your account for future ticket purchases. Just sign up for a free Rapid Rewards Account, It will only cost you if the new flight is a higher cost, you will pay the difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by rickme
Done deal,ended up being 869.00 for the 2 of us with early bird,round trip with free bags and now we will spend a night in Atlanta before and after vacation.Perfect way to go!!
I was actually thinking of posting about Southwest from MSP to MBJ. I've seen prices as low as $414 round trip in December (1 stop each way). Some flights go through MDW, others through Atlanta.
We are getting married at Sandals in March so I've been on a constant lookout for low airfare for people. Many of the older crowd is going direct on either Delta or Sun Country. With bags it is $750+ to go direct right now.
Flights open up for after March 6th on August 25th so I can't book ours yet. I have 45k miles to boot so probably won't have to buy more than a 1 way ticket.
Yes, they fly out of Philadelphia. November 5-15 $354 with one layover each way. Hate layovers but will be happy to deal with them at that price along with the two free checked bags. Thought about taking a third bag till I saw it would cost $75.Quote:
Originally Posted by gailnegril
That's a very good price, but after a couple bad experiences (e.g. getting stuck overnight in Ft Lauderdale) I avoid non-direct flights - especially with international flights. I am traveling similar dates as you from PHL on US Air and my tickets were $550 r/t, so you got a good deal. However, to me, it's worth paying the $200 premium to get to MBJ earlier in the day, leave the island later in the day and avoid the 4 hour layover. Plus there is no hassle of changing planes and risk of missing a connection.Quote:
Originally Posted by *vi*
BTW, US Air now offers 1 free bag for each passenger if you have a US Airways Mastercard. So, for me and my wife, that's 2 free bags.
Your're right Mike_D, I normally take US airways because of the direct flight and getting to Jamaica early. But the 2 free bags and $200 savings talked me into giving them a try. I hope there's no flight issues...my dates are tight so no room for delays going or returning. Wishing you and your wife a wonderful visit!
Thanks *vi*! Hoping you have an awesome trip too! Maybe we'll bump into you on the rock.
oh how nice that would be to meet you and your wife! But Mike_D, I'll be in Portland somewhere...if you two happen to venture to the east coast, drinks are on me :)
I want to thank all of my fellow boardies for all your help in this post. Cindy and I booked Southwest out of Midway (Chicago) for the last week of January, 01/24/2015 for $640.00 for both of us nonstop with great flight times. We have never flown out of Midway before but we couldn't pass it up. Thanks again
I am curious about the early bird check-in. I am not a good flyer and there is NO WAY I will fly without being able to sit next to my husband. I am contemplating spending the extra $ (which is quite a lot extra) on the Anytime or Business Select tickets to insure that we do not get separate seats.
I've booked flights without early bird check in and just made sure i checked in for my flight at exactly 24 hours ahead and have usually been in group A or at least early group B have never had an issue with finding seats together..
Southwest is awesome imho. Just be sure to check in on line 24 hrs prior and get boarding group "A". I am so excited about SW flying to Montego Bay. So excited that I just bought my dear husband and myself 2 round trip tix from Music City for $750 for Feb! Looking forward to this VS the crappy Spirit airlines experience last year.
Southwest gets a thumbs up from me too. Because I travel solo I didn't see the need to do the early bird check-in nor 24-hour prior check-in. I must have a window seat and there was always one available. However, since sitting next to hubby is a must I agree with sammyb and never2many, secure your slots in group A and you two will be fine. My first flight was packed, but those in group A got on first and had the pick of the seats before B and C could board.
I flew from MCO to MBJ six times this year so far.
Tripple ups
1. No change fee
2. Two suitcases free
3. Non stop 1:30 flight
Cap
Make it seven. Miss G and I are coming for the long weekend before Christmas
Thanks everyone. Love the video! So I can get roundtrip nonstop out of Midway for $923.00 for the 2 of us for mid April. Is this reasonable? Pretty sure we spent over $1000 last year and had a layover. I don't want to book too early and see the rates go down later and be pi$$ed. I am not very experienced with air travel obviously, all your help is appreciated. :)
Early boarding is only $12 per person. Guaranteed to be early in the first group boarding. If you are picky about where you sit and with who, the $12 is a bargain.
KB - I personally think that's a good deal. We travel in July and haven't found anything out of OHare or Midway under $1000 (for the 2 of us) in the last 5/6 years.