MUScoop
MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: wadesworld on January 12, 2016, 12:34:28 PM
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I'm wondering if anybody has any advice on finding cheap flights. Looking online I've seen a lot of different information on how early prior to a trip you should buy tickets, but it sounds like generally the best time is between 45 days and 4 months before a trip. Any thoughts on this?
Also, does anybody have a favorite site they use to book their flights?
Thanks in advance.
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I search for flights on Orbitz, but once I find my flights, I book directly with the airline. It tends to be easier to change flights, if needed, if you buy directly from the airline.
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Kayak and hipmunk are the travel sites I use.
http://flights.google.com is fun for research.
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www.kayak.com/explore/ is a fun way to identify cheap flight options if you are flexible.
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Also, shop on a private browser.
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http://www.kayak.com/travelhacker/global
To get the best pricing per Kayak:
NORTH AMERICA: Book 4 to 6 weeks in advance. Depart Friday, return Monday.
EUROPE: Book 6 months in advance. Depart Wednesday, return Tuesday.
CARRIBEAN: Book 2 to 4 weeks in advance. Depart Thursday, return Tuesday.
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If you are in Milwaukee and flying international, check Ohare, it's typically a lot cheaper for Intl flights. I mean A LOT cheaper.
If you are in (northern) Chi area, check Mitchell, sometimes you save quite a bit of money, even when you factor in drive time, paying your buddy to take you up there, etc. (though I must say that Mitchell doesn't have the cost savings relative to Ohare that it once had)
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Googleflights.com By far the easiest site, even though they don't advertise it. Will alert you if nearby airports are cheaper and/or how much you can save by going 1-3 days earlier or later.
You'll love it.
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1. Use a private browser.
2. Book six weeks in advance.
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Interesting, what does using a private browser do?
Thanks again for the advice.
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Ya wanna sit in or outta da plane? For a case of Pagan Pink or Purple J, keefe will cart ya 'round with a seat on da wing, hey?
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Interesting, what does using a private browser do?
Thanks again for the advice.
Sites tag you and the more you check out fares the less likely they are to show you the cheapest
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Haven't paid for a flight in 3 years....frequent flier miles and a United credit card go a long way
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Ya wanna sit in or outta da plane? For a case of Pagan Pink or Purple J, keefe will cart ya 'round with a seat on da wing, hey?
Was hoping you could hook me up with a seat in the Looney private jet, ai'na?
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Sites tag you and the more you check out fares the less likely they are to show you the cheapest
Yep.
I saved over $200 in airfare to Cancun by just opening an incognito window.
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depends on where you're going. southwest was offering a number of trips to select places for $65 one way. i fly s.w. almost exclusively, so i don't know if you need to be a preferred customer to get these offers or not
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If you are in Milwaukee and flying international, check Ohare, it's typically a lot cheaper for Intl flights. I mean A LOT cheaper.
If you are in (northern) Chi area, check Mitchell, sometimes you save quite a bit of money, even when you factor in drive time, paying your buddy to take you up there, etc. (though I must say that Mitchell doesn't have the cost savings relative to Ohare that it once had)
Don't forget to include parking in that calculation, if applicable. It's way, way cheaper in MKE.
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depends on where you're going. southwest was offering a number of trips to select places for $65 one way. i fly s.w. almost exclusively, so i don't know if you need to be a preferred customer to get these offers or not
Southwest is pretty transparent. Unfortunately, it's not the bargain it used to be.
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Don't forget to include parking in that calculation, if applicable. It's way, way cheaper in MKE.
I can't understand why anyone would park at O'Hare with the alternative options available (public transit and an Uber ride for <$20 from almost anywhere around Chicago).
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I can't understand why anyone would park at O'Hare with the alternative options available (public transit and an Uber ride for <$20 from almost anywhere around Chicago).
If you are on your own dime and don't have easy access to public transportation, it can still be cheaper to drive and park if you trip is only a few days (depending on where you live).
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I only fly for vacations (never for my job) and my vacation time is very limited and valuable to me. I've often been tempted to fly out of Chicago than MKE but if I only save <$200/ticket its not worth the extra time spent travelling on my 1st and last days of vacation.
Thanks for the private browser tip, makes a lot of sense.
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http://www.kayak.com/travelhacker/global
To get the best pricing per Kayak:
NORTH AMERICA: Book 4 to 6 weeks in advance. Depart Friday, return Monday.
That is a pretty broad generalization. For example, depart Friday, return Monday is far from the cheapest if you are going to Las Vegas.
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That is a pretty broad generalization. For example, depart Friday, return Monday is far from the cheapest if you are going to Las Vegas.
This is a good point. Totally depends on your destination. My wife and I traveled to Europe a couple years ago and spent 3 nights in Brussels (beautiful city, loved every minute of it). I discovered Brussels is a political/business capital that empties out on weekends, and we stayed Thursday through Sunday in a 4 star hotel for $50 a night.
Likewise, you can find a hotel in Vegas on a Tuesday night for $65 but it will balloon up to $150 come Friday and Saturday (another real scenario I discovered).
Bottom line is, know the market and type of city, as well as the most common type of traveler to that city, and then go against the grain to save money.
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Also, for international flights, I have found some of the best fares come out of national flag carriers, as long as you are willing to stop in their country for a layover.
For example, my wife and I flew to Paris....a direct flight from Chicago on AirFrance, United or American was over $1200 round trip per person. We found a fare with Aer Lingus that had a layover in Dublin for $850 round trip (and still StarAlliance so we got the miles). The $700 total savings for both of us was worth it to us. Plus the flight attendants had cute Irish brogues.
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I can't understand why anyone would park at O'Hare with the alternative options available (public transit and an Uber ride for <$20 from almost anywhere around Chicago).
I forget what the name of the off-site lot is, but its 8. bucks per 24 hour period. If you leave on a Friday and come back sunday, you get shuttle and parking $16. I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes each way. I thought it was way better than public transportation, especially with 2 people.
Depending on how cheap and how flexible you are, Spirit has some great deals if you are just looking to get away for a weekend. I've actually had very good experiences with them (the light bag requirement makes the travel experience easier since it forces you to pack light). I've heard some horror stories but most of the bitching is about paying $3 for a soda or not being smart enough to make sure your bag was the right size. You are paying less than half of southwest on some flights, I think you would be ok bringing an empty water bottle with you and filling it up in the lobby before entering the plane.
I've been to Philly $71 RT, and then O'hare->La (drive to) San Diego->$127 total for the trip. Again, it only makes sense if you are going for the weekend so you don't have to pay bag fees. I was able to pack dress clothes, workout clothes and casual clothes into the allowed personal item.
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Don't forget to include parking in that calculation, if applicable. It's way, way cheaper in MKE.
You can get parking off-site with a shuttle at Ohare for $8. Does Mitchell have any place with free parking nearby that is accessible to the airport without using public transportation which is spotty? Unless you are getting dropped off, i can't imagine you save more than $5 a day. (I've had great experiences off-site at off-hare and thought it was more convenient than having a friend pick up even)
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I will be going to San Diego from Milwaukee (or a Chicago airport if cheaper) and back from Thursday, April 28-Sunday, May 1.
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Also, shop on a private browser.
How do you do that?
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How do you do that?
If you have Chrome, click on the menu on the upper right and select "New incognito window"
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You can get parking off-site with a shuttle at Ohare for $8. Does Mitchell have any place with free parking nearby that is accessible to the airport without using public transportation which is spotty? Unless you are getting dropped off, i can't imagine you save more than $5 a day. (I've had great experiences off-site at off-hare and thought it was more convenient than having a friend pick up even)
Mitchell's own remote parking is $7/day.
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How do you do that?
With Internet Explorer use "In Private Browsing" although Google Flights doesn't seem to work with that.
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O'Hare has awesome off site parking. There's one that's $9/day. Private transit to and from and they'll give your ride a mini detail while your gone.
I live equally far from both airports, almost always go ORD due to price and number of flights.
It's not a scary place at all if you spend 15 minutes and learn what you need to do
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Southwest is pretty transparent. Unfortunately, it's not the bargain it used to be.
if you fly with bag(s) that's got to add up. i rarely check a bag, so i don't know if that equates to savings, but don't the other airlines charge $25-50/bag under 50 ibs. now?
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I will be going to San Diego from Milwaukee (or a Chicago airport if cheaper) and back from Thursday, April 28-Sunday, May 1.
Can you get the boy you're flying to see chip in on the cost?
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if you fly with bag(s) that's got to add up. i rarely check a bag, so i don't know if that equates to savings, but don't the other airlines charge $25-50/bag under 50 ibs. now?
Glow and I just got back from a ski trip last night. Flew Southwest and checked two pairs of skis,two boot bags, and two pieces of luggage. Didn't pay a cent in bag fees
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I hate that fookin' airline. Just sell me a reserved seat and don't treat me like I'm in some cock a mayme police line up. SWA needs to grow some boulders and take a page from Virgin America's playbook, hey?
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Glow and I just got back from a ski trip last night. Flew Southwest and checked two pairs of skis,two boot bags, and two pieces of luggage. Didn't pay a cent in bag fees
+1, packing luggage on luggage, car seat, and stroller as the family Reinko heads to MKE tomorrow. On any other airline probably $150+ in fees.
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Google flights price stays the same, even w/ repeat visits to the site. No need to go incognito. Also may want to check Allegiant (sp) if you can fly out of Rockford and heading south.
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I hate that fookin' airline. Just sell me a reserved seat and don't treat me like I'm in some cock a mayme police line up. SWA needs to grow some boulders and take a page from Virgin America's playbook, hey?
If you want to waste your money on that, go ahead. Just leaves more aisle seats for me. ;D
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Google flights price stays the same, even w/ repeat visits to the site. No need to go incognito. Also may want to check Allegiant (sp) if you can fly out of Rockford and heading south.
Allegiant had lower rates if you buy your tix at the airport, when they are staffed for a flight than over the phone or online. Have to live near rockford or Sioux Falls to get that benefit.
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i was flying american to and from cabo. paid the bag fees on the way down-no big deal. coming back, i'm over the limit(no i didn't have any contraband) with exactly the same stuff i went with. unless my dirty clothes put on like 5 lbs, they had me by the short ones. $50 please-thank you very much. what ya gonna do? argue? i've got to get F'ing home somehow-gracious senor
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Can you get the boy you're flying to see chip in on the cost?
Maybe your boy Blair Walsh will fly me out to SD this weekend to watch the Packers game in some warm weather sunshine. He has the coin and the free time, ai'na?
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I hate that fookin' airline. Just sell me a reserved seat and don't treat me like I'm in some cock a mayme police line up. SWA needs to grow some boulders and take a page from Virgin America's playbook, hey?
Word.
SWA sucks. Wish Virgin had more routes out of ohare.
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+1, packing luggage on luggage, car seat, and stroller as the family Reinko heads to MKE tomorrow. On any other airline probably $150+ in fees.
Airlines shouldn't be charging you to check a car seat. Although, this may be a Delta thing as I fly them 99% of the time.
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Airlines shouldn't be charging you to check a car seat. Although, this may be a Delta thing as I fly them 99% of the time.
Why not? They're bulkier than my suitcase.
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Why not? They're bulkier than my suitcase.
I'm not 100% sure but I expect because they are required by law and most car rental companies (in my experience) won't guarantee their availability.
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+1, packing luggage on luggage, car seat, and stroller as the family Reinko heads to MKE tomorrow. On any other airline probably $150+ in fees.
As a passenger, I thank you for checking it instead of bringing it on board for your non-ticketed lap child and then getting honked off when you can't take up a seat with it.
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+1, packing luggage on luggage, car seat, and stroller as the family Reinko heads to MKE tomorrow. On any other airline probably $150+ in fees.
Co-sign what others said .. I flew with car seats a bunch of times .. no charge. (Although why they don't charge when they have a fee for everything else is surprising.)
One nice thing .. buy a car seat bag .. then stuff the seat and tons of other stuff in to it .. it becomes a free suitcase, basically.
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Which bean counter came up with da utter, illogical and unsafe, idea of allowin' 2 and under kids to ride free if they're sittin' on a lap? Sorry, but y'all should be required to bite it off and buy da kid a ticket. Pure and simple, it's a major safety issue, ai na?
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Which bean counter came up with da utter, illogical and unsafe, idea of allowin' 2 and under kids to ride free if they're sittin' on a lap? Sorry, but y'all should be required to bite it off and buy da kid a ticket. Pure and simple, it's a major safety issue, ai na?
Exactly how many kids have been killed or seriously injured on a plane because they weren't in a car seat? If the plane is hurtling towards the ground at 500 miles/hour, it isn't going to help much.
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As a passenger, I thank you for checking it instead of bringing it on board for your non-ticketed lap child and then getting honked off when you can't take up a seat with it.
You are very welcome, even though there were only 20 people on my flight this morning from Boston.
Good to be back in the MKE.
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Word.
SWA sucks. Wish Virgin had more routes out of ohare.
I find it interesting that almost everyone has a very strong opinion on SWA, either pro or con. Not really sure why that is. Perhaps it's their 'somewhat different' business model. Although I must say their distinction these days from the various legacy carriers has diminished considerably. Anyway, chick and I fly them almost exclusively using the legacies mostly for international. I guess my two major reasons are MDW vs. ORD plus the ability to make flight changes without incurring a fee. Rarely does the baggage fee come into play but it would have on on our ski trip. To each his own I suppose.
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I find it interesting that almost everyone has a very strong opinion on SWA, either pro or con. Not really sure why that is. Perhaps it's their 'somewhat different' business model. Although I must say their distinction these days from the various legacy carriers has diminished considerably. Anyway, chick and I fly them almost exclusively using the legacies mostly for international. I guess my two major reasons are MDW vs. ORD plus the ability to make flight changes without incurring a fee. Rarely does the baggage fee come into play but it would have on on our ski trip. To each his own I suppose.
Don't get me wrong. Most other airlines suck too. A few suck slightly less than average (mostly the non-legacies that aren't Southwest...like Virgin and Alaska).
At the end of the day I fly United because it is the airline I fly for work and I have miles and a credit card with them, and I fly infrequently enough for leisure (once or twice a year) that I hardly ever pay for a flight with the miles I accrue.
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Exactly how many kids have been killed or seriously injured on a plane because they weren't in a car seat? If the plane is hurtling towards the ground at 500 miles/hour, it isn't going to help much.
Apparently you've never flown through turbulence where stuff get tossed 'round the cabin, then. But hey, if it's not worth an additional average of $400-$500 bucks/ticket on average ta have your kid secured, then I'd suggest redefinin' priorities or workin' a little overtime, ai na?
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Apparently you've never flown through turbulence where stuff get tossed 'round the cabin, then. But hey, if it's not worth an additional average of $400-$500 bucks/ticket on average ta have your kid secured, then I'd suggest redefinin' priorities or workin' a little overtime, ai na?
No, it's not worth four or five hundred bucks per trip when the odds are overwhelmingly in my favor.
Since you didn't answer my question, I will do it for you. The number of deaths prevented by requiring a lap child to use a car seat is .4 per year. Putting all lap children in a car seat would cost $1.3 billion per year. In other words, saving one life would cost over three billion dollars.
http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/when-good-intentions-make-bad-policy-car-seat-edition/
I'll take my chances.
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I find it interesting that almost everyone has a very strong opinion on SWA, either pro or con. Not really sure why that is. Perhaps it's their 'somewhat different' business model. Although I must say their distinction these days from the various legacy carriers has diminished considerably. Anyway, chick and I fly them almost exclusively using the legacies mostly for international. I guess my two major reasons are MDW vs. ORD plus the ability to make flight changes without incurring a fee. Rarely does the baggage fee come into play but it would have on on our ski trip. To each his own I suppose.
I hate Southwest because they are loud and obnoxious on flights.
All commercial airline travel blows, but Southwest adds in being loud, annoying smiling dorks to the mix. Shuttup and let me sleep.
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I hate Southwest because they are loud and obnoxious on flights.
All commercial airline travel blows, but Southwest adds in being loud, annoying smiling dorks to the mix. Shuttup and let me sleep.
Yeah, but all of the legacy airlines have those old, fat flight attendants that have 30 years of seniority.
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Yeah, but all of the legacy airlines have those old, fat flight attendants that have 30 years of seniority.
I've noticed they have started turning over. Still a few old broads on every United flight but one or two cuties as well now
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flights: www.skyskanner.com
seats: www.seatguru.com
Get a credit card with priority pass membership if you fly economy a lot... or use your points/miles/$$$ to fly business and take the stress out of it.
My simple story: As a 150k-200k mile per year flyer, 10 years ago my company stopped paying for biz class so I went cattle class for 2 years and became a very angry person. Now, I pay the difference myself and haven't flown back of the bus for about 8 years. Travel is easy, show up at the airport at the last minute, grab a water from the lounge, last on the plane and there's room for your carry on (never check bags), first off and first at immigration (saves an hour in some of the dumps I travel to, like O'Hare, LAX and other 3rd world countries). I use whatever airline has the cheapest business class and am often amazed to find it's not that much more than economy when I do need to pay.
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WSJ has a good piece today on da best and worst airlines, hey?
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WSJ has a good piece today on da best and worst airlines, hey?
here it is: http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-best-and-worst-airlines-of-2015-1452709957
Proves true what I said about Alaska and Virgin.
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Don't get me wrong. Most other airlines suck too. A few suck slightly less than average (mostly the non-legacies that aren't Southwest...like Virgin and Alaska).
I personally hate MDW, unlike some people, so that only adds to my dislike of Southwest. I now have pre-check, but I've come within 5 min of missing 2 different flights at MDW due to the terrible layout and procedures of their security. Each I was flying a random time (Thursday at 2PM and Saturday morning around 10) and they were funneling people in a foolish fashion. ORD has its issues, sure, but Ive had better experiences and while neither are sterling, ORD has been slightly better with delays than MDW the last few years, which shoots that comparison in favor of MDW that people like to bits.
Southwest is silly cause unless you check-in within 2 min or pay extra, you're in spot F34734848 and you have to sit in the queue forever. Bag fees are nice, but I rarely check anyways.
LOVE Virgin. My personal story with them, I fly them to LA when I can get a good fare. Flew a couple years ago, got delayed leaving work and ended up getting to O'Hare 40 min before my flight. Got a TERRIBLE security line, ended up having 3 old people in wheelchairs wheeled up to the front of my scanner line, get to the gate 7 min before and they've closed the doors and locked it, 15 min before departure as policy. It was the last flight at around 7, given their low number of flights, and I was pretty peeved.
Head to the Virgin gate, talk to an attendant, super helpful, put me on standby for the next day, ask if I want to confirm a seat for $X, I'm about to say yes, and she tells me not to worry about it, I'll be fine, tentatively notes to give me an aisle seat. I get there the next morning, both staff remember me by name, said they got me into the first boarding group, and I was all set. It was smooth, friendly, and amazing. Likely didn't do anything out of the ordinary, but it was a great departure from what I'm used to, no pun intended.
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I personally hate MDW, unlike some people, so that only adds to my dislike of Southwest. I now have pre-check, but I've come within 5 min of missing 2 different flights at MDW due to the terrible layout and procedures of their security. Each I was flying a random time (Thursday at 2PM and Saturday morning around 10) and they were funneling people in a foolish fashion. ORD has its issues, sure, but Ive had better experiences and while neither are sterling, ORD has been slightly better with delays than MDW the last few years, which shoots that comparison in favor of MDW that people like to bits.
Southwest is silly cause unless you check-in within 2 min or pay extra, you're in spot F34734848 and you have to sit in the queue forever. Bag fees are nice, but I rarely check anyways.
LOVE Virgin. My personal story with them, I fly them to LA when I can get a good fare. Flew a couple years ago, got delayed leaving work and ended up getting to O'Hare 40 min before my flight. Got a TERRIBLE security line, ended up having 3 old people in wheelchairs wheeled up to the front of my scanner line, get to the gate 7 min before and they've closed the doors and locked it, 15 min before departure as policy. It was the last flight at around 7, given their low number of flights, and I was pretty peeved.
Head to the Virgin gate, talk to an attendant, super helpful, put me on standby for the next day, ask if I want to confirm a seat for $X, I'm about to say yes, and she tells me not to worry about it, I'll be fine, tentatively notes to give me an aisle seat. I get there the next morning, both staff remember me by name, said they got me into the first boarding group, and I was all set. It was smooth, friendly, and amazing. Likely didn't do anything out of the ordinary, but it was a great departure from what I'm used to, no pun intended.
The nice thing about ORD is that while there are lots of people, you have a lot of business travelers who know what they are doing through security.
MDW is all SWA fliers, very few of whom fly for business, and it is a complete sh!tshow, as you said.
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The nice thing about ORD is that while there are lots of people, you have a lot of business travelers who know what they are doing through security.
MDW is all SWA fliers, very few of whom fly for business, and it is a complete sh!tshow, as you said.
I live 13 miles closer to O'Hare than Midway, and from front door to gate, it is still quicker for me to fly MDW than ORD. That's true even when I use O'Hare's parking lots and use a private offsite lot at Midway. One of the last times I flew out of O'Hare, I was catching a six a.m. flight on a weekday. I got to the terminal at 4:30, and it took me 30 minutes to get through security.
Also, O'Hare flights get delayed way more often than Midway. I used to travel on business with colleagues who all flew out of O'Hare while I flew out of Midway. When our return flights were scheduled to leave within a few minutes of each other, I almost always beat them home. There were times I called them as i was getting off the plane at Midway, while they were still stuck in Philly or Charlotte on a flight delay, just to give them sh!t.
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ORD > MDW.
Except for flying to Vegas.
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ORD > MDW.
Except for flying to Vegas.
Why would you make that distinction? Again, this is all preference. I much prefer Midway overall but can't understand why you think MDW > LAS is particularly attractive. (BTW, while I fly lots of places, LAS is by far my most common destination.)
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No, it's not worth four or five hundred bucks per trip when the odds are overwhelmingly in my favor.
Since you didn't answer my question, I will do it for you. The number of deaths prevented by requiring a lap child to use a car seat is .4 per year. Putting all lap children in a car seat would cost $1.3 billion per year. In other words, saving one life would cost over three billion dollars.
http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/when-good-intentions-make-bad-policy-car-seat-edition/
I'll take my chances.
That is the definition of a strawman argument.
That's like saying it's okay for obese people to be spilling through the handrail into my seat because it would cost over $1B a year for them all to buy an extra seat. Though that money would be saved from their collective McDonald's budgets.
Children small enough to fit in a lap should be stowed under the seat in front of you so that they're out of the way. I believe that's a compromise that we can all agree upon.
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Why would you make that distinction? Again, this is all preference. I much prefer Midway overall but can't understand why you think MDW > LAS is particularly attractive. (BTW, while I fly lots of places, LAS is by far my most common destination.)
Their flight times are the best.
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I hate Southwest because they are loud and obnoxious on flights.
All commercial airline travel blows, but Southwest adds in being loud, annoying smiling dorks to the mix. Shuttup and let me sleep.
I dislike the way southwest doesn't assign seats. Why would I want to wait in line for something that takes longer while one the plane. Just let me sit and call me when I can go to my seat. Besides the little kid enjoyment I get from a window seat or trying to sit by a cutie, I really don't care where I sit. If its at the back of the plane, who cares, it takes a total of 3 extra minutes to get off the plane. I just sit and check scoop on my phone.
I think all airline travel blows. I love how people think it is a huge deal to have to pay for a $3 soda or for your luggage. If the cost of a soda and bags are less than the difference in flight ticket, go for it. If not, choose the all-inclusive airline. Stop thinking you are getting screwed when you choose a budget airline. They serve their purpose of getting you from a to b and i personally love it.
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Also, O'Hare flights get delayed way more often than Midway. I used to travel on business with colleagues who all flew out of O'Hare while I flew out of Midway. When our return flights were scheduled to leave within a few minutes of each other, I almost always beat them home. There were times I called them as i was getting off the plane at Midway, while they were still stuck in Philly or Charlotte on a flight delay, just to give them sh!t.
No offense, but that is complete confirmation bias. If you look at any number of rankings over the last few years, MDW usually leads O'Hare in terms of percentages of delays, or they are within a percent of each other. Parking and airport size are completely fair arguments, I never drive, always cab or train, so its not an issue for me, but the "O'Hare is more delayed" is just factually untrue outside of your personal experiences.
Why would you make that distinction? Again, this is all preference. I much prefer Midway overall but can't understand why you think MDW > LAS is particularly attractive. (BTW, while I fly lots of places, LAS is by far my most common destination.)
For whatever reason, though its not measurably cheaper than other airlines for the most part anymore, Southwest's Chicago to Las Vegas flights are noticeably cheaper. I fly United 90% of the time, but I fly SW to Vegas every year cause its $100 cheaper, and like PTM says, lots of great flight times. Usually the only time I'm on SW or at MDW in general.
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No offense, but that is complete confirmation bias. If you look at any number of rankings over the last few years, MDW usually leads O'Hare in terms of percentages of delays, or they are within a percent of each other. Parking and airport size are completely fair arguments, I never drive, always cab or train, so its not an issue for me, but the "O'Hare is more delayed" is just factually untrue outside of your personal experiences.
Actually, the data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics supports my claim:
http://www.transtats.bts.gov/OT_Delay/OT_DelayCause1.asp
If you use time frames going back 1,3, and 5 years, Midway's on-time arrival performance is higher.
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People who complain about a getting to destination, VIA a FLYING METAL TUBE @ 600mph, at a fraction of the cost of driving, in about a 1/10th of the time make me chuckle.
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I dislike the way southwest doesn't assign seats. Why would I want to wait in line for something that takes longer while one the plane. Just let me sit and call me when I can go to my seat. Besides the little kid enjoyment I get from a window seat or trying to sit by a cutie, I really don't care where I sit. If its at the back of the plane, who cares, it takes a total of 3 extra minutes to get off the plane. I just sit and check scoop on my phone.
I think all airline travel blows. I love how people think it is a huge deal to have to pay for a $3 soda or for your luggage. If the cost of a soda and bags are less than the difference in flight ticket, go for it. If not, choose the all-inclusive airline. Stop thinking you are getting screwed when you choose a budget airline. They serve their purpose of getting you from a to b and i personally love it.
I think that's what most anti SWA folks complain about. I actually prefer the unassigned method modestly but can understand why someone else sees that differently.
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I hate Southwest because they are loud and obnoxious on flights.
All commercial airline travel blows, but Southwest adds in being loud, annoying smiling dorks to the mix. Shuttup and let me sleep.
Just too easy Jay Bee. ;D
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For whatever reason, though its not measurably cheaper than other airlines for the most part anymore, Southwest's Chicago to Las Vegas flights are noticeably cheaper. I fly United 90% of the time, but I fly SW to Vegas every year cause its $100 cheaper, and like PTM says, lots of great flight times. Usually the only time I'm on SW or at MDW in general.
As some of you may recall, chick and I own a 2nd home out in suburban Vegas. If one can be somewhat flexible, right now you can shake hands with $64 each way. My 'great price' threshold used to be $99 each way and that had worked its way up to $119 or $129 but with oil tumbling.....
We'll typically have 1-2 booked trips in the 'SWA bank'. If we can go, great. If not we'll re-book knowing that money is good for a full year. 8-)
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As some of you may recall, chick and I own a 2nd home out in suburban Vegas. If one can be somewhat flexible, right now you can shake hands with $64 each way. My 'great price' threshold used to be $99 each way and that had worked its way up to $119 or $129 but with oil tumbling.....
We'll typically have 1-2 booked trips in the 'SWA bank'. If we can go, great. If not we'll re-book knowing that money is good for a full year. 8-)
Yeah, that's another great thing about SWA. Really no such thing as a nonrefundable fare. If you see a really cheap flight, you can jump on it immediately, rather than waiting until you are sure you can get the time off, etc., and then going back online and finding that the great deal is gone.
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However, if ya change that "really great fare" itinerary and the cost is greater the your newly selected dates of travel, you will pay the increased difference. So, your "really great fare" just went bye-bye, ai na?
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However, if ya change that "really great fare" itinerary and the cost is greater the your newly selected dates of travel, you will pay the increased difference. So, your "really great fare" just went bye-bye, ai na?
Isn't that the way it is everywhere? Except at Southwest there aren't any change fees. Also, if a cheaper fare for the exact same flight comes up later, we just cancel our original flight and rebook at the lower price.
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Outta MKE, SWA really doesn't have competition. Therefore, their fares are in lock step with the utter 5-6 carriers. If I wanna fly nonstop, which I always opt for regardless of price, there is no choice. I have done the ORD thing and jumped on VX several times 'cuz their schedule has been better. It's like ridin' in a Rolls vs a Yugo, hey?
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Outta MKE, SWA really doesn't have competition. Therefore, their fares are in lock step with the utter 5-6 carriers. If I wanna fly nonstop, which I always opt for regardless of price, there is no choice. I have done the ORD thing and jumped on VX several times 'cuz their schedule has been better. It's like ridin' in a Rolls vs a Yugo, hey?
Very true. When SWA first came to MKE about 5-6 years ago they were SUPER cheap up there. We'd occasionally make the drive to park for $5 a day and catch a plane. Last time we flew out of MKE it fit in nicely with #mubb but that's been at least a year, maybe two.
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I think a bit that was lost in the discussion of ORD vs MDW is that we have the choice between 2 friggin airports! Having only moved back to Chicago recently, it's so convenient to hop on the L and be at either airport within 45 minutes of my home downtown.
I had to live with General Mitchell for the past while (gosh, it was nearly a decade) and the flight options have steadily declined as soon as Frontier started its decline.
I'm a little hurt that nobody chuckled at my "stowing the kid underneath the seat" quip. Ah well, you win some you lose some.
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Agreed that having 2 airports in our city is a nice luxury, and as much as I will never fly from Midway or on Southwest, ever...I appreciate the fact that they are adding competition that will keep the prices for the better airlines that fly from O'Hare in check.
Being left out of the discussion so far is the sheer number of international destinations from O'Hare. It is actually astounding where you can go from there. For leisure, I almost always prefer international travel to domestic so that very fact alone leaves Southwest and Midway out of consideration. Although I do commend Southwest for adding a few international destinations to Mexico and the Caribbean, these are rarely destinations I choose to visit for fun. I'd much rather to go to Europe.
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For pure cheap flights discussion: I recently flew Spirit out to the East Coast to visit my brother.
They are a super-cheap-flights airline that upcharge for everything.
Personal item? Free.
Carry on? Upcharge.
Stowed luggage? Upcharge.
Randomly assigned seat? Free.
Pick your own seat? Upcharge.
It was a weekend trip, so I just took a backpack with a change of clothes as my personal item. With taxes + fees I got round-trip to Baltimore and back to Chicago for $110.
I also haven't minded the free-for-all boarding with Southwest. Again, I'm a light packer and I don't care where I sit.
If it's only a couple of hours on a domestic flight including the Carribean & Mexico it really shouldn't matter what airline you fly. Your flight is as short as a Marquette game, and your seat will be much more comfortable.
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Agreed that having 2 airports in our city is a nice luxury, and as much as I will never fly from Midway or on Southwest, ever...I appreciate the fact that they are adding competition that will keep the prices for the better airlines that fly from O'Hare in check.
Being left out of the discussion so far is the sheer number of international destinations from O'Hare. It is actually astounding where you can go from there. For leisure, I almost always prefer international travel to domestic so that very fact alone leaves Southwest and Midway out of consideration. Although I do commend Southwest for adding a few international destinations to Mexico and the Caribbean, these are rarely destinations I choose to visit for fun. I'd much rather to go to Europe.
Wait, and I'm not trying to troll you. You've not flown SWA but you've offered an opinion on them? I'd have to go back and read but I could swear.....
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Agreed that having 2 airports in our city is a nice luxury, and as much as I will never fly from Midway or on Southwest, ever...I appreciate the fact that they are adding competition that will keep the prices for the better airlines that fly from O'Hare in check.
Being left out of the discussion so far is the sheer number of international destinations from O'Hare. It is actually astounding where you can go from there. For leisure, I almost always prefer international travel to domestic so that very fact alone leaves Southwest and Midway out of consideration. Although I do commend Southwest for adding a few international destinations to Mexico and the Caribbean, these are rarely destinations I choose to visit for fun. I'd much rather to go to Europe.
They got those routes via the AirTran purchase.
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Word.
SWA sucks. Wish Virgin had more routes out of ohare.
Yes, confirmed.
SWA sucks because....... Oh, you haven't flown them.
As Coach Ditka used to say. "Who you crappin'?"
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As a SWA companion pass holder, I laugh at all other airlines.
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Yeah, that's another great thing about SWA. Really no such thing as a nonrefundable fare. If you see a really cheap flight, you can jump on it immediately, rather than waiting until you are sure you can get the time off, etc., and then going back online and finding that the great deal is gone.
exactly what mrs. surgeon and i do. we fly in to vegas 4-6x per year each. then drive 2 + hrs down to lake havasu city. btw, we go right past the spot where sammy kinnison(rip brotha) stopped a drunk driver with his car(the irony) no luggage checked. like riding a bus. swa have just advertised a $165 'er. book 'em and save 'em when ya can. plus you accumulate miles/points. where are you guys? henderson? i love that whole area!
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Yes, confirmed.
SWA sucks because....... Oh, you haven't flown them.
I've never ridden a Greyhound bus, but I'm pretty comfortable in saying that it sucks.
SWA is great for what it is, and it's a great option for many. But as someone who travels 95% of the time on business, I would never consider SWA unless it was the only route available.
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I've never had a bad experience flying SWA. Always been really cheap and the only delay I ever had was because of heavy morning fog at LAX. Delta on the other hand...yech.
Also, chick/glow, anytime you feel like hosting at your Vegas home, you know how to get ahold of me ;D
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I've never had a bad experience flying SWA. Always been really cheap and the only delay I ever had was because of heavy morning fog at LAX. Delta on the other hand...yech.
I guess you've never flown SWA out of LaGuardia. Can't recall a flight that wasn't delayed.
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I guess you've never flown SWA out of LaGuardia. Can't recall a flight that wasn't delayed.
Probably true for every airline. LGA is a tough one.
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exactly what mrs. surgeon and i do. we fly in to vegas 4-6x per year each. then drive 2 + hrs down to lake havasu city. btw, we go right past the spot where sammy kinnison(rip brotha) stopped a drunk driver with his car(the irony) no luggage checked. like riding a bus. swa have just advertised a $165 'er. book 'em and save 'em when ya can. plus you accumulate miles/points. where are you guys? henderson? i love that whole area!
Summerlin, bicycle distance from Red Rock National Rec.
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I've never ridden a Greyhound bus, but I'm pretty comfortable in saying that it sucks.
SWA is great for what it is, and it's a great option for many. But as someone who travels 95% of the time on business, I would never consider SWA unless it was the only route available.
Greyhound is actually a treat. At least they have comfy seats and bathrooms on the bus.
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For pure cheap flights discussion: I recently flew Spirit out to the East Coast to visit my brother.
They are a super-cheap-flights airline that upcharge for everything.
Personal item? Free.
Carry on? Upcharge.
Stowed luggage? Upcharge.
Randomly assigned seat? Free.
Pick your own seat? Upcharge.
It was a weekend trip, so I just took a backpack with a change of clothes as my personal item. With taxes + fees I got round-trip to Baltimore and back to Chicago for $110.
I also haven't minded the free-for-all boarding with Southwest. Again, I'm a light packer and I don't care where I sit.
If it's only a couple of hours on a domestic flight including the Carribean & Mexico it really shouldn't matter what airline you fly. Your flight is as short as a Marquette game, and your seat will be much more comfortable.
I freakin love Spirit. LOVE THEM. They are the airline of Capitalism. You want a cup of water? Pay up! You want to bring on a big ass bag? Pay up since your weight uses more fuel. I'm not being sarcastic here, I truly do love that about them.
While they can sometimes be Mussolini-esque in their fees, after you fly with them once or twice you learn the ropes. For instance, whenever I travel with Spirit I simply wear all of my clothes for the trip. I buy a burner backpack once I land.
Also, I did appreciate the 'stowing the kid under seat' quip. I chuckled aloud.
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I freakin love Spirit. LOVE THEM. They are the airline of Capitalism. You want a cup of water? Pay up! You want to bring on a big ass bag? Pay up since your weight uses more fuel. I'm not being sarcastic here, I truly do love that about them.
While they can sometimes be Mussolini-esque in their fees, after you fly with them once or twice you learn the ropes. For instance, whenever I travel with Spirit I simply wear all of my clothes for the trip. I buy a burner backpack once I land.
Also, I did appreciate the 'stowing the kid under seat' quip. I chuckled aloud.
Yeah, i think Spirit gets a bad rap. It's like when Midwest stopped serving cookies and people went nuts. You are freaking out about a cookie? Really? Last 2 times I've flown Spirit it was 50% cheaper than the next closest airline. I bought a large water in the terminal for $4.50 and was fine for a flight. I don't get why people get so pissed when they get nickeled and dimed. Just decline the water/soda and read your book. The personal bag also isn't bad for a weekend. You can easily fit 3 change of clothes and workout shoes.
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Summerlin, bicycle distance from Red Rock National Rec.
beautiful area-thanks!
i've never ever never(oh schmit-i probably shouldn't be saying this) had a bad flight with SWA. flying out to vegas(via MKE) on wednesday-oh well, i'm not in any hurry anyway. i've never ever never had a flight with american where something didn't go wrong. from pilots calling in blue flu to ONE toilet malfunctioning. delta is my first go to if i can't fly SWA
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Probably true for every airline. LGA is a tough one.
As at least a monthly visitor of LGA - it's the 3rd circle of hell. I have had way too many Auntie Anne's dinners than I care to admit.
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Wait, and I'm not trying to troll you. You've not flown SWA but you've offered an opinion on them? I'd have to go back and read but I could swear.....
I have flown southwest. But not in the last couple years
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Wait, and I'm not trying to troll you. You've not flown SWA but you've offered an opinion on them? I'd have to go back and read but I could swear.....
This was a forward looking statement, not on what I've done in the past
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I actually admire southwest from a business perspective. They are adding competition by adding routes to previously under-utilized airports. It is good for competition and it services airports that otherwise would be left to rot.
But that doesn't mean I'm going to fly them anytime soon.
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People who like Southwest play charades with the neighbors, watch a lot of sitcoms on TV, and vote liberal.
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I have flown southwest. But not in the last couple years
Fair enough.
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People who like Southwest play charades with the neighbors, watch a lot of sitcoms on TV, and vote liberal.
::)
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As a SWA companion pass holder, I laugh at all other airlines.
I can be available on short notice for travel.
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Isn't that the way it is everywhere? Except at Southwest there aren't any change fees. Also, if a cheaper fare for the exact same flight comes up later, we just cancel our original flight and rebook at the lower price.
Yep. And if you buy the cheaper flight using your fare from the original flight, you get to keep the balance and apply it toward another flight within a year.
I'm doing exactly that right now. My son flew from Chicago to Philly for a family wedding in October. It was 159. Incredibly, the fare went down to 59. So I rebooked him and he got a 100 credit. And next month he is visiting us in N.C., so I used the 100 credit toward his flight here. Pretty sweet.
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Yep. And if you buy the cheaper flight using your fare from the original flight, you get to keep the balance and apply it toward another flight within a year.
I'm doing exactly that right now. My son flew from Chicago to Philly for a family wedding in October. It was 159. Incredibly, the fare went down to 59. So I rebooked him and he got a 100 credit. And next month he is visiting us in N.C., so I used the 100 credit toward his flight here. Pretty sweet.
Totally agree. We do appreciate that our situation is somewhat unique. We adjust our flights frequently always trying to create SWA cash when we can. Just the other day I reminded chick that she needs to use some up.