08/2010 - Spirit Airlines BIG SALES.

[joeysterr]

I wonder how long Spirt can continue to have these fare sales as the price of fuel keeps in increasing???

WORD. CO/United and Delta went up already, AA's following http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=132414973

[psriches]

I always book last minute. Judging from the bidding websites most people book a couple weeks in advance, some book a month or more in advance.

One thing I forgot to mention is bidding prices are seasonal, during the winter they will be higher in South Florida.

Winning bids for January in the FLL zone:

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.p...=120810&hl=FLL

rejected at $50, accepted at $52, so good chance that will be the lowest bid for the next month or two.

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.p...=120792&hl=FLL

first bid was $55. probably could have gotten $52.

one thing worth pointing out, i thought hyatt place and hyatt summerfield suites were the only hotels accepting bids in this zone, but it looks like someone got the courtyard/marriott a couple months ago, so there's a slight chance you might end up getting that, although 99% of the bids go to hyatt brand hotels in that zone

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.p...=117089&hl=FLL

it's always worth checking the bidding forums beforehand to see what the market is. looks like i could have gotten it for $40-44 if i had checked the forums. Usually I'll just do a blind bid at $45 since thats the industry standard for 3 star airport hotels on priceline.

It would be a shame to get a hotel with no free airport shuttle, therefore, paying your own way back and forth to the hotel. No way to at least guarantee a SHUTTLE??

[foadi]

It would be a shame to get a hotel with no free airport shuttle, therefore, paying your own way back and forth to the hotel. No way to at least guarantee a SHUTTLE??

all three of the participating 3* hotels offer free airport shuttle service.

http://www.fortlauderdaleairportsout...lace/index.jsp

http://www.fortlauderdaleairportsout...ield/index.jsp

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/...d-cruise-port/

the participating 3 1/2* hotel (sheraton) also has free airport pickup/dropoff - but it's a more expensive bid at $55-60 and they usually charge for internet and breakfast so i avoid them like the plague

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sherat...language=en_US

but no, there are no guarantees with opaque travel inventory, only educated guesses. i woudln't expect any surprises, although they are possible. i live in hotels and travel constantly for work so i have to use priceline a lot. i'd say 75% of the time i know exactly what i'll be getting and 23% of the time i'll have a list of potential winning bids. only around 1 in 50 bids will i be surprised, and honestly it's usually for the better (like bidding $35-40 and getting an embassy suites or residence inn ... happens occasionally).

[Pana]

There is no way Spirit can keep those low prices with the price of oil rising each day, the other major airlines started raining there prices

WORD. CO/United and Delta went up already, AA's following http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=132414973

[princepointe]

There is no way Spirit can keep those low prices with the price of oil rising each day, the other major airlines started raining there prices

The prices may go up a bit but majority of the cost increase from these airlines don't have much to do with the gas prices. Notice how when gas rises prices rise but when gas drop prices don't. Spirit is a niche market airline and can't be compared to AA,Delta, and Continental. They have a far lower overhead and niche market (the international traveler0 and can afford to keep the customer happy and not get greedy. I think they know. I'm not surprised that gas is going to hit $5. It's been high in Europe forever. That's why I drive my 4 cylinder manual Honda instead of my V8 Chrysler 300.

[SeaWeed]

Their prices to Montego Bay, Jamaica MBJ this winter are the lowest I've ever seen.
I don't understand how they can do this and still make money.

[Señor JDR of Medellin]

Their prices to Montego Bay, Jamaica MBJ this winter are the lowest I've ever seen.
I don't understand how they can do this and still make money.

A full plane is better than an empty plane and transporting cargo pays very well.

[Señor JDR of Medellin]

There is no way Spirit can keep those low prices with the price of oil rising each day, the other major airlines started raining there prices

There are 150 seats on a plane. At $252, I may go 5 times to Colombia. At $752, I am not going to Colombia at all.


Empty planes lose money.

[psriches]

There are 150 seats on a plane. At $252, I may go 5 times to Colombia. At $752, I am not going to Colombia at all.


Empty planes lose money.

But also remember that not all 150 passengers are paying $252. In fact, i'd guess maybe a small percentage. The other passengers are paying closer to regular fare.

[Señor JDR of Medellin]

But also remember that not all 150 passengers are paying $252. In fact, i'd guess maybe a small percentage. The other passengers are paying closer to regular fare.

Many guys like you and me are always shopping for our fares. If the bottom fare to Medellin was $900, then I would just stay home.

[psriches]

Many guys like you and me are always shopping for our fares. If the bottom fare to Medellin was $900, then I would just stay home.

I guess we will just ride it out until the wheels fall off because i don't see many other discount options other than Spirit.

So maybe by the end of 2011, Senor JDR of Medellin will return back to JimmyDr.

[Señor JDR of Medellin]

I guess we will just ride it out until the wheels fall off because i don't see many other discount options other than Sprint.

So maybe by the end of 2011, Senor JDR of Medellin will return back to JimmyDr.

Maybe Senor JDR will call it a wrap and get stateside action.

I am done with the "begging"

[psriches]

all three of the participating 3* hotels offer free airport shuttle service.

http://www.fortlauderdaleairportsout...lace/index.jsp

http://www.fortlauderdaleairportsout...ield/index.jsp

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/...d-cruise-port/

the participating 3 1/2* hotel (sheraton) also has free airport pickup/dropoff - but it's a more expensive bid at $55-60 and they usually charge for internet and breakfast so i avoid them like the plague

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sherat...language=en_US

but no, there are no guarantees with opaque travel inventory, only educated guesses. i woudln't expect any surprises, although they are possible. i live in hotels and travel constantly for work so i have to use priceline a lot. i'd say 75% of the time i know exactly what i'll be getting and 23% of the time i'll have a list of potential winning bids. only around 1 in 50 bids will i be surprised, and honestly it's usually for the better (like bidding $35-40 and getting an embassy suites or residence inn ... happens occasionally).

Keep in mind the airport shuttles run from 5am - 12am.

This will do us New Yorker's no good since the late flight arrives in Ft Lauderdale at 12am.

And the early return to New York leaves at 5am.

So be prepared to pay $20 each way for a taxi.

[tgunz]

Just book LGA TO MDE ON SPIRIT for March dates! Got my free spirit master card with 5000 miles plus got in on the bogo offer, extra 5000 miles for a flight after 5/11. As well as 5000 miles for ordering a case of wine last month, thanks to this thread!!! looks like I will be using spirit atleast once more this year. Only down side seems to be the flight times. ALSO FIRST TIMERS BEWARE OF THE SEAT ASSIGNMENT CHARGE. you can skip that step and not be charge extra!

[Jimmydr]

Just book LGA TO MDE ON SPIRIT for March dates! Got my free spirit master card with 5000 miles plus got in on the bogo offer, extra 5000 miles for a flight after 5/11. As well as 5000 miles for ordering a case of wine last month, thanks to this thread!!! looks like I will be using spirit atleast once more this year. Only down side seems to be the flight times. ALSO FIRST TIMERS BEWARE OF THE SEAT ASSIGNMENT CHARGE. you can skip that step and not be charge extra!

I already bought two tickets at $252 and will add another next week. That card really helps.

[Talis]

I just got the approval notice today.. WTF? My credit score is close to 800 and they did not give me the ONYX card.. Stupid Platinum card.. so 5,000 instead of 15,000 points. I'm half tempted to just cancel it when it arrives but I do want to call and ask them first what the deal is. Does anyone know the criteria for the ONYX card?

[Jimmydr]

I just got the approval notice today.. WTF? My credit score is close to 800 and they did not give me the ONYX card.. Stupid Platinum card.. so 5,000 instead of 15,000 points. I'm half tempted to just cancel it when it arrives but I do want to call and ask them first what the deal is. Does anyone know the criteria for the ONYX card?

It doesn't matter really, just charge and you get the $9 club free and if you are going to Medellin, its as low as $252 RT.

[Talis]

It doesn't matter really, just charge and you get the $9 club free and if you are going to Medellin, its as low as $252 RT.

except I get 5,000 instead of the 15,000 .. feels a little like bait and switch.

[Jimmydr]

except I get 5,000 instead of the 15,000 .. feels a little like bait and switch.

I wouldn't worry about the 10,000. I was more concerned with saving $200 per flight.

[Bhutto,BhuttoGolly]

I wouldn't worry about the 10,000. I was more concerned with saving $200 per flight.

Hey Jimmy, what bank issued the Spirit MC? Thanks
I have too many cards as it is...so if it's a bank I'm already dealing with, I'll probably pass and pay the $9 fare club fee