1st time flying

[angelabrezovsky]

We are going to Disney in May 2015, when should I start looking at flights. I want to try to get the best price available.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

We are going to Disney in May 2015, when should I start looking at flights. I want to try to get the best price available.

Flights won't come out till six months out. I'd look at the prices for this may to get an idea of which days times routes cost more or less.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Depending on which airline you are wishing to take, some will allow you to start booking flights next month. Southwest usually goes 6 months.

I agree with PP to check May dates for this year that way you get an idea of the costs. One thing I also like to do is look at available flights as to close to the dates as I can get them to get an idea. Example. If I wanted to fly May 1-8, but I can't book out that far yet, I will look at the month(s) prior and get the prices for those month. If I can get prices for April 1-8, I will look at those days. If I can't get April prices, but I can get March, I will look at prices for late March (21-28).

Also, check regularly. Best days to check for flights are Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. These days are when they seem to be the cheapest, but you will occasionally find good deals on the weekends as well. Since you aren't going until May 2015, after the winter holidays is when I suspect you'll see the best deals.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

I have a question about flying southwest and baggage. The only requirement I can find for checked bags is 62 inches and it says length+width+height. Does that mean the bag could 62 inches in any direction? But under the 50 pounds?

 

[Thumper_Man]

I have a question about flying southwest and baggage. The only requirement I can find for checked bags is 62 inches and it says length+width+height. Does that mean the bag could 62 inches in any direction? But under the 50 pounds?

What this means is, your bag cannot exceed 62 inches total.

Let's say your bag is L 27" W 14" H 10", you would add them all up (27+14+10 = 51). 51" is under the 62" mark.

To answer your question, your bag can be 62" in any direction. Most standard bags are under these measurements. Even some of the larger size suit cases are just under or at the limit. Golf bags and the like would be over and would require the baggage fee.

As far as the weight limit, all checked bags must be under 50 lbs (regardless of measurements) or else they will charge you a fee.

SWA will charge you a $50 fee if the bag is over the size limit and weight limit.

 

[rwdavis2]

I have a question about flying southwest and baggage. The only requirement I can find for checked bags is 62 inches and it says length+width+height. Does that mean the bag could 62 inches in any direction? But under the 50 pounds?

height+width+length all added together must be less than 62 inches. A bag that was 35 inches tall + 12 inches high + 16 inches wide = 63 inches and is too big. They will charge you extra.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

Thank you I thought I was losing my mind picturing these ginormous bags!

 

[goofy4tink]

We are going to Disney in May 2015, when should I start looking at flights. I want to try to get the best price available.

You're lucky...you can check to see what flights are right now for your dates. Then, you'll have an idea at least.
The legacy airlines (Delta, AA, etc) open their booking window about 11 months out. Jetblue and Southwest open much later....for instance, JB just opened their booking window thru Jan 5! SW should open their window soon.

 

[Greysword]

I'll pile on for good measure.

Six months out is generally a sweet spot, as the low-cost airlines (Southwest, JetBlue, etc) release their schedule and pricing about this time. The legacy airlines (Delta, American, United) will adjust their prices to bring them in range.

As mentioned, the legacy airlines generally release their schedule and initial pricing eleven months out, so you can get an idea of what the flights may cost.

I recommend you use Hipmunk or the ITA Matrix to have a look at prices, since these tools are not brokers, so they don;t make money from the airlines like Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, etc. Both ITA and Hipmunk use the same tool, however TA Matrix site is more advanced and Hipmunk has a link directly to the airline's booking site, which is very useful.

Remember the general rule of booking flights:

Determine what price threshold would be comfortable for you and your family before you go searching. have a look at the general price for that time of year via the sites mentioned above. Adjust your price point accordingly.

Finally, keep and eye on airline prices. When you find a price you'd be comfortable with paying, book the flight with no regrets. Prices can go up and down, and will usually fluctuate during the course of the year, driving you mad to lock down the "ultimate lowest price ever".

Have fun and good luck!

Oh, and stay away from Spirit. Low low prices, but not really as they charge for things other airlines provide for free.

 

[sam_gordon]

Flights won't come out till six months out. I'd look at the prices for this may to get an idea of which days times routes cost more or less.

Depending on which airline you are wishing to take, some will allow you to start booking flights next month. Southwest usually goes 6 months.

These are both wrong. Legacy airlines open their bookings 330 days out. Which means, assuming you're looking for round trip, the absolute earliest you can book all your tickets is 330 days before your RETURN trip.

SW opens theirs APPROXIMATELY 6 months out. They release a block of dates at a time.

Personally, I get the cheapest flights ~315-310 days out. Yes, I've watched after I've booked and the flights have NEVER gone down that low. I personally wonder if those who say "book 6 months out" or "54 days out" have actually been looking since the flights were released.

The best "rule" on when to book is to book when you're happy with the cost and if you'll be upset if the price drops after you buy, don't look again (unless on SW or JB where you can get a credit that's good for a year from the original booking date).

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

Don't most if not all the other airlines charge for bags though? So once that cost is added to the price I would assume SW or JB would almost always come out cheaper....I could be totally wrong I am just starting airline research. We'll be flying with a group of 10 and one person would really prefer a direct flight which means JB is out for us since they fly from Detroit to Boston to Orlando????

 

[sam_gordon]

Don't most if not all the other airlines charge for bags though? So once that cost is added to the price I would assume SW or JB would almost always come out cheaper....I could be totally wrong I am just starting airline research. We'll be flying with a group of 10 and one person would really prefer a direct flight which means JB is out for us since they fly from Detroit to Boston to Orlando????

Yes, most airlines charge for checked bags. That does NOT mean SW or JB will automatically be cheaper. Yes, factor in any checked bag fees into your comparison, but just because one airline doesn't "charge" for checked bags doesn't mean they'll automatically be cheaper.

FWIW, if a direct flight is ~$50+ more/ticket, give me the layover every time.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

I agree however flying with 6 kids and two hesitate adult flyers....means I may be at their mercy.

 

[rwdavis2]

Don't most if not all the other airlines charge for bags though? So once that cost is added to the price I would assume SW or JB would almost always come out cheaper....I could be totally wrong I am just starting airline research. We'll be flying with a group of 10 and one person would really prefer a direct flight which means JB is out for us since they fly from Detroit to Boston to Orlando????

It depends. Southwest is no longer a "discount" airline. I have seen plenty of fare where they were under-priced by a legacy airline, even with the baggage fees.

One thing to consider, with a United Airlines VISA the first bag is free.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.....

One thing to consider, with a United Airlines VISA the first bag is free.

Just be sure you use the card to buy your tickets, otherwise no free bag. You also get Boarding Group 2.

https://www.chase.com/online/Credit-Cards/united_explorer-travel-new.htm