1st trip-when to book airfare?

[peaches0313]

I know that you can't bookfare until 11 months prior (I think--for most airlines anyways). We are planning a trip for next September 2014. So, I suppose I could book airfare as early as October. However, I wasn't planning on booking my trip (room,tix) etc until next February. For those booking airfare separately, do you go ahead and purchase those ahead of time? or just wait and do everything at once? I worry a little b/c there is only one nonstop flight a day from our hometown to Orlando, and that is the one I want... just nervous to book airfare months before booking the trip. For example, what if February comes and then the hotels I want aren't available all of a sudden on the dates I have already booked airfare for? Advice?

 

[Missyrose]

I know that you can't bookfare until 11 months prior (I think--for most airlines anyways). We are planning a trip for next September 2014. So, I suppose I could book airfare as early as October. However, I wasn't planning on booking my trip (room,tix) etc until next February. For those booking airfare separately, do you go ahead and purchase those ahead of time? or just wait and do everything at once? I worry a little b/c there is only one nonstop flight a day from our hometown to Orlando, and that is the one I want... just nervous to book airfare months before booking the trip. For example, what if February comes and then the hotels I want aren't available all of a sudden on the dates I have already booked airfare for? Advice?

September isn't a busy time at Disney, so you really don't have to worry about not getting the resort you want. When it comes to airfare there are a couple of things you need to figure out.

1) How much are you comfortable spending? There aren't the rock-bottom prices there once were on airfare, so know how much you're comfortable spending and jump on it once you see that fare.

2) What's more important to you, convenience or price? If there's only one nonstop flight to Orlando each day, you might find yourself paying a premium to fly it.

3) There's no surefire timeline to buy tickets, but sometimes, prices drop 2-3 months out. It all depends on where you're flying from, what time of year, etc.

Hope this helps!

 

[peaches0313]

Thanks Missy! The airfare believe it or not seems reasonable...this September anyways. The only nonstop is about $200 pp (roundtrip). From my hometown, that is an AWESOME price! I am just assuming next September will be the same. I just don't know how much in advance I should book it. If I see a good deal in say, November, would you be comfortable booking the airfare and not booking the rooms until February? Thanks again

 

[a1tinkfans]

depending on the airline, your reservation may be able to be changed free of charge, to get a lower rate later on....
BUT, you also have to use that ticket by the original purchase date (not the date you changed it too) and the same person per ticket if you cancel all together. Hope you followed that. Anyway, depending on airline, things very greatly! Keep your luggage costs in mind too, very few are free now (sw is)
Good Luck!!

 

[peaches0313]

Hmmm...yes that is food for thought...so IF something happens and my kids were sick, etc.....and say I bought the tix in october, I may only have until the following october to re-use them (our trip is in September) so that doesn't give us much lee-way. I am thinking I will book them in January and just hope the prices don't go up too much!!! I may be overthinking this but it is my first trip and I don't want to screw something up!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

depending on the airline, your reservation may be able to be changed free of charge, to get a lower rate later on....
BUT, you also have to use that ticket by the original purchase date (not the date you changed it too) and the same person per ticket if you cancel all together. Hope you followed that. Anyway, depending on airline, things very greatly! Keep your luggage costs in mind too, very few are free now (sw is)
Good Luck!!

Just about every airline charges a change ticket fee, with very few exceptions (Southwest), unless you buy refundable tickets. These fees can be as high as $200 for a domestic ticket, so plan carefully:

http://www.farecompare.com/about/airline-fee-chart/

OP, why wait to book your hotel? Unless you are booking a special pay now fee, you can usually cancel hotel rooms with no penalty until 6 pm of the check-in day. No reason to wait to book.

 

[Sheilby]

Hmmm...yes that is food for thought...so IF something happens and my kids were sick, etc.....and say I bought the tix in october, I may only have until the following october to re-use them (our trip is in September) so that doesn't give us much lee-way. I am thinking I will book them in January and just hope the prices don't go up too much!!! I may be overthinking this but it is my first trip and I don't want to screw something up!

I wouldn't book my airline tickets that early for a September trip. Anything can happen and many of the cheaper tickets require a hefty fee for changes. Say you need to adjust your hotel stay by a day to take advantage of a deal? If you were flying at a busier time I would say book way in advance, but I don't see it being necessary for September. I booked my November tickets a couple of weeks ago. When I went in September 3 years ago I booked them in July. If your airport only has a few flights down it may be different, but if you live near a busier airport I don't see the point (unless a great deal happens your way).

 

[a1tinkfans]

I agree. Book your room only reservation now. You can always change to a package etc later on. The cancel policy for room only reservations is very good. In addition if you re looking for a special room, preferred location etc you re better off getting that as soon as you can to lock it in.
Personally, we have had to move a resorts if we could not get a preferred room at POR, for instance.
Best of luck!