Anonymous wrote:Yes, but I would prefer the earlier flight even without the savings. In some cases, depending on the destination and other factors, I'd even pay MORE for the earlier flight.

Yup. I often take earlier flights to avoid rush hour and big security lines.

For myself sure. With kids no on the theory that if they are grouchy and the day is spoiled the cost is way higher (assuming this is a vacation)

Yes, but I would prefer the earlier flight even without the savings. In some cases, depending on the destination and other factors, I'd even pay MORE for the earlier flight.

Yes, definitely.

Absolutely - saving money, getting to my destination earlier, and avoiding morning traffic to the airport. Win all around. I'd have chosen the flight even without the discount.

Depends on if $200 is meaningful in your household budget. If it were me, I'd do it. Just be ready the night before, have the kids sleep in travel clothing and they can all go back to sleep on the plane if tired.

OP here, we're cheap too so we'll probably just do it and schedule a family nap that afternoon!

I'm leaving on a 7:30 AM flight alone with my 2 year old on Saturday. What can I say? I'm cheap.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. The kids are somewhere between sensitive and flexible. I'm sure the morning will go fine. I'm worried about 4-5pm meltdowns. But as a PP said, those could happen anyway.

Its for a vacation so we have nothing to do when we get there but lay by the pool.

OP, I was just contemplating the same thing, except the flight is at 6am for an international departure.

OP again. The kids are somewhere between sensitive and flexible. I'm sure the morning will go fine. I'm worried about 4-5pm meltdowns. But as a PP said, those could happen anyway.

Its for a vacation so we have nothing to do when we get there but lay by the pool.

Driving from Reston to Reagan is a bitch if you leave later, and even driving at 9 or 9:30 for an 11am flight might be rough. I think I'd opt for leaving really early before rush hr and taking that earlier flight. You can always nap later at your destination -- kids will probably crash at some point anyway.

How sleep sensitive are your kids? If they are flexible, I would do it. If you know they will likely melt down, I would spend the $200. If you go..have breakfast in the car or at the airport to save time.

OP here. Both flights down are the same price, to the dollar. One on Jet Blue, the other is US Air. We just have all these Jet Blue credits because of price adjustments/TV problems on previous flights.

Ideally, my preferred flight time is 11 so I can leave my house at 9 after traffic. Flights are out of National and we live in Reston.

let's see - would you be likely to use your jetBlue vouchers for a different flight at another time? If so it could be wise to save it and take a later flight. On the other hand, if you're unlikley to get another opportunity soon to use the voucher then I'd say go for the earlier flight and call it an adventure!

What's the total price differential between the two flights? Is the 10 am flight is exactly the same price as the Jet Blue flight other than the credits?

What is the other airline? If it weren't for the feeling of "wasting" credits, would you normally take an earlier flight that worked out to be $200 less than a more convenient time?