Flight pricing question

Florida2012

If you can dream it, you can do it

Joined

Sep 4, 2011

• Feb 19, 2017

• #1

Hi guys,

When we've previously been to WDW we get the flight through whoever we've booked which, however we really want to try and drive down the price by booking the flight separately.

So the question I have is, is it better to book well in advance, or wait til the last minute?

We don't mind going indirect, so would that be a factor as well?

 

RDP

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 31, 2008

• Feb 19, 2017

• #2

My experience has been cheaper prices the further out you book. Indirect flights can knock a considerable amount off the price of a ticket but be careful and check the length of any lay over, number of connections etc. We have always booked flights separately. Make sure you try pricing different lengths of stay, some times it can be cheaper to go for 16 nights instead of 14, try lots of different combinations. If your lucky enough to book outside of school holidays you will save thousands if your booking for a family.

 

pinklotusflower

Mouseketeer

Joined

May 29, 2015

• Feb 19, 2017

• #3

We booked last minute two years ago and got a really good deal on direct flights mid week, it really depends what they have left nearer the time you want to go. I would set up a google flight tracker to alert you when the prices come down on flights you are interested in.

 

Amelia :)

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 10, 2016

• Feb 19, 2017

• #4

The prices just go up and down all the time it's crazy. I would just set yourself a budget, I personally think between £400-£600pp is reasonable, and when you see something at what you consider a reasonable rate, book it.

 

W

Woodview

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 29, 2013

• Feb 19, 2017

• #5

First Where are you flying From ?

Can you fly to Dublin & on Direct to Orlando with Aer Lingus

Can you fly to Amsterdam & then on to Orlando with KLM

There are many ways of getting to Orlando. ( Careful with going through Canada )

Try going Mid Week

 

P

pickers1982

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 13, 2013

• Feb 20, 2017

• #6

Are there any airports
Within a few hours drive that may be cheaper?

 

L

lost*in*cyberspace

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 30, 2005

• Feb 20, 2017

• #7

Booking at the last minutes is always more expensive unless there happens to be a last minute sale, which almost never happens, especially to a popular destination.

 

wilma-bride

<<This space intentionally blank>>

Moderator

Joined

Jul 13, 2005

• Feb 20, 2017

• #8

Woodview said:

First Where are you flying From ?

Can you fly to Dublin & on Direct to Orlando with Aer Lingus

Can you fly to Amsterdam & then on to Orlando with KLM

There are many ways of getting to Orlando. ( Careful with going through Canada )

Try going Mid Week

Click to expand...

Why careful with going through Canada? We have done that a few times.

 

Diz22

Mouseketeer

Joined

Sep 14, 2016

• Feb 20, 2017

• #9

My family and I flew with Aer Lingus last summer. MAN - DUB - MCO outbound and due to date of return MCO BOS DUB MaN inbound.
There was a small saving but the attraction was clearing immigration in DUB.
Flight out was unremarkable, IFE poor and service soso.
Return flights were indescribable
I worked in the airline industry for several years and I was appalled at how passengers were treated. Had I not had some knowledge of the system I believe we would have been stranded in Boston and left to fund our own way home ( it was a through ticket btw)!
I realise a deal is a deal but unless you're getting an exceptional price my advice would be avoid them!!

 

joolz1910

<font color=green>I would have gone down to recept

Joined

Aug 24, 2008

• Feb 20, 2017

• #10

We booked a flydrive but didn't take the car - it worked out cheaper. We have to go during school holidays and I have never seen rock-bottom last minute prices for those dates.

 

W

Woodview

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 29, 2013

• Feb 20, 2017

• #11

wilma-bride said:

Why careful with going through Canada? We have done that a few times.

Click to expand...

The reason is that you will need a Canadian ESTA to enter , (flying ) Canada from UK.

Also if you arrive in Canada & hire a car & return car , in Canada , but drive into USA ,

you will have to pay another " Processing " Charge per person . even though you have a valid

USA ESTA.

No idea how travelling by Train from Canada into USA works

 

jamez2014

Mouseketeer

Joined

May 6, 2014

• Feb 21, 2017

• #12

joolz1910 said:

We booked a flydrive but didn't take the car - it worked out cheaper. We have to go during school holidays and I have never seen rock-bottom last minute prices for those dates.

Click to expand...

we done fly drive this year, and getting the flights the day they become available (that’s available via VA) we got what i think is a great deal

 

joolz1910

<font color=green>I would have gone down to recept

Joined

Aug 24, 2008

• Feb 21, 2017

• #13

jamez2014 said:

we done fly drive this year, and getting the flights the day they become available (that’s available via VA) we got what i think is a great deal

Click to expand...

Same here. I am a compulsive checker and the flight prices were never cheaper than when they were first released.

 

wilma-bride

<<This space intentionally blank>>

Moderator

Joined

Jul 13, 2005

• Feb 21, 2017

• #14

Woodview said:

The reason is that you will need a Canadian ESTA to enter , (flying ) Canada from UK.

Also if you arrive in Canada & hire a car & return car , in Canada , but drive into USA ,

you will have to pay another " Processing " Charge per person . even though you have a valid

USA ESTA.

No idea how travelling by Train from Canada into USA works

Click to expand...

It is only $16 per person. We paid it last year when we took the train from Vancouver to Seattle, really not a big deal. And the Canada eTA is valid for 3 years as opposed to 2. So I don't see it is a disadvantage.