A Game of Chicken

[ZehnJahren]

Please move this to the appropriate forum if need be.

We are currently playing a game of chicken with our airfare. We live near a major airport, and want to fly out of it for our trip to WDW from 11/29 to 12/4. Anyone have any ideas on this? Should we continue to hold out, or just buy now?

 

[allgoodgifts]

I'm tempted to say buy now. Here's why.

I'm using Southwest for our flights around the same time (11/24 - 12/1). I bought the tickets a while ago, but every couple of days I check back on the Southwest web site for cheaper fares. Southwest, by the way, will let you rebook at no charge to take advantage of cheaper fares - you don't get a refund, but you do get a credit that can be applied to future travel.

Since I originally booked the tickets, I've rebooked them twice to save money, and I think overall I've saved about an average of $50 per ticket (for four tickets). But in the last week or two, I haven't seen any fare drops. The fares have been pretty steady, and definitely higher the closer you are to Thanksgiving.

So, I'm guessing I'm not likely to see any more fare drops. In fact, I've seen quite a few fare increases. So if you are travelling at around the same time, I'd guess you don't want to wait any longer. If you happen to be flying Southwest, then definitely book now, because you can always change later if the flights get cheaper.

This is just anecdotal, of course, so I can't guarantee that I'm giving good advice. Good luck, either way!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The problem is the 29th is the Monday after Thanksgiving. When you consider that Sunday is the heaviest air travel day of the year, it is possible for a lot of spill-over to Monday. So I think the longer you wait the higher those Monday fares will go.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Thanks for the advice. I really, really miss the days of flying Southwest - it's all I ever would use before. They don't serve the airport I live by now, so they're out of the running (though much much cheaper). We'd even considered a flight out with Southwest at another airport and a flight back to the closer airport, but there are so many factors that make the (very) nearby airport and it's crappy carriers much more attractive.

I am pretty much planning this entire trip on my own, so I feel a lot of pressure to do the right thing! I guess I was hoping someone might say "eh, prices should go down before then" or something like that!!! But since not, here's a dancing banana:

 

[EastonCat]

I travel regularly for business, and have seen fares stabilize over this summer. Air travel is up and there is little to indicate that you'll see fare drops for the holidays.

You might get lucky for a particular flight, but you could also get hammered.

Sorry that you can't go with Southwest - they take the fear out of booking.

 

[disneynutsss]

i have been checking airfare for the last few months for 11/27 - 12/4 and the prices have gone WAY up!! i couldn't book until the other day and ended up paying thru the nose for my airfare

 

[danny1649]

The experts on our Transportation Board can help you.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Bought it. And unbelievably, I got a better price leaving from my nearby airport and paying baggage fees than I would have gotten on Southwest round-trip! (although I'm certain the service is better on SW!!)

Now, to figure out ME. We're flying in and out on different carriers; do I have to let them know that, or just give them flight info? Any idea?

 

[Jestocost]

Bought it. And unbelievably, I got a better price leaving from my nearby airport and paying baggage fees than I would have gotten on Southwest round-trip! (although I'm certain the service is better on SW!!)

Now, to figure out ME. We're flying in and out on different carriers; do I have to let them know that, or just give them flight info? Any idea?

Just give them the airline and flight number for each direction. They don't care if you are flying a different airline each way, but they do need the info.

 

[Missytara]

i have been checking airfare for the last few months for 11/27 - 12/4 and the prices have gone WAY up!! i couldn't book until the other day and ended up paying thru the nose for my airfare

I booked the same dates three months ago; BWI to MCO, round trip, non-stop both ways for $192.00. I am so glad I booked when I did.

About three weeks ago, I checked and the fare soared and there are only a handful of seats left. We are just a little over two months out.

It pays to book it when you feel comfortable with the fare. I have traveled that Saturday to Saturday for several years, and it has steadily gotten busier each year. I have traveled on full planes going down and coming back.