Airfare - am I just being too hopeful

[summermac]

We want to leave Feb 11 (a Tuesday) and return Feb 17 (President's Day) due to my kids' school break. The best airfare I can find is $325 pp right now on Southwest. I found a return flight slightly cheaper on United ($14 pp less) but it has a layover.

For some reason I keep dragging my feet on booking this flight. Am I being too optimistic here? Is $325 really as good as it's going to get? Yes I know I can rebook at a lower fee and have a credit but I really doubt we'd use the credit before it expires....

Give it to me straight. Wait? Book now?

 

[Cubicleprisoner]

If you book Southwest now and the flights decrease in price, you can always re-book with no change fees and hold the difference in travel funds for one year from your booking date. If/when you fly again in the next year, you can apply those funds to your next trip. Most travel experts claim that the cheapest domestic flights can be found approximately 49 days before your travel date, but then you are taking a chance that the flight you want may be sold out, especially since you are travelling on a holiday. $ 325.00 per person isn't that bad of a price in today's flying market since tax is now included in the listed fare. Also included in that fare are "no bag fees" and "free snacks". I like flying Southwest because I can't stand the aggravation of having to paying bag fees, especially at WDW when you have to stay on hold with B.A.G.S. for twenty minutes just so you can take advantage of the resort airline check-in service.

 

[CWdreamer]

The cost is going to vary based on where you are flying from, what days of week you are traveling and the time of the year (I used to book travel at work).

In October 2010, we flew from Cincinnati for $283 (non-stop) per person. For my last trip in June, I followed the fares for months and finally purchased 50 days out from Louisville (with connections) for $308 per person. The fares had been as high as $450. I was always told that the best fares are typically 45-60 days out, but that's not always true.

For my upcoming trip in May, I just booked last weekend because the fares out of Louisville are $239 per person (with connections), but I have never seen the fares that low. The only reason I can think of is that we are flying out of Louisville on the weekend of the Kentucky Derby when most people are flying in. But that's just a guess.

I think $325 from Ohio is a good fare. Have a great trip!!

 

[Kat016]

When we went last month I got 4 roundtrip tickets from Wilmington/Philadelphia (ILG) to Orlando (MCO) & back for $814. I don't know where you live but if you can fly out of a smaller airport, you might save money. It saved us $400 flying out of there compared to Philadelphia (PHL).

 

[summermac]

I actually can choose from 3 different airports - Akron, Columbus and Pittsburgh as they are all within 2 hours from my home. PIT is the cheapest and has been all along. (Which is great b/c I like PIT.)

I know we can get a credit but I seriously doubt we'll fly again in the next year.

 

[Spunky946]

We fly out of pittsburgh, and I've seen it a lot less expensive. I'd wait.

 

[sam_gordon]

If you book Southwest now and the flights decrease in price, you can always re-book with no change fees and hold the difference in travel funds for one year from your booking date. If/when you fly again in the next year, you can apply those funds to your next trip. Most travel experts claim that the cheapest domestic flights can be found approximately 49 days before your travel date, but then you are taking a chance that the flight you want may be sold out, especially since you are travelling on a holiday. $ 325.00 per person isn't that bad of a price in today's flying market since tax is now included in the listed fare. Also included in that fare are "no bag fees" and "free snacks". I like flying Southwest because I can't stand the aggravation of having to paying bag fees, especially at WDW when you have to stay on hold with B.A.G.S. for twenty minutes just so you can take advantage of the resort airline check-in service.

I think the "Best fairs are 'x' days out" is out dated. It's supply and demand. I personally could never wait that long to book my flights.

Personally, I think the best prices are actually ~300 days out (at least in my experience). The problem is people don't start looking that far out, so it's not part of the sample prices.

 

[Kat016]

I think the "Best fairs are 'x' days out" is out dated. It's supply and demand. I personally could never wait that long to book my flights.

Personally, I think the best prices are actually ~300 days out (at least in my experience). The problem is people don't start looking that far out, so it's not part of the sample prices.

I bought ours probably 200ish days out. I couldn't argue $814 for 4 round trip tickets. Smaller airline and airport paid off.

 

[summermac]

I purchased them last night. Now I get to drive myself crazy watching for them to go down so I can request a credit. LOL

And I just went and looked - the return flight is actually MORE this morning!

 

[CarolMN]

I purchased them last night. Now I get to drive myself crazy watching for them to go down so I can request a credit. LOL

And I just went and looked - the return flight is actually MORE this morning!

In general, airfares do not go down for school breaks. If 2/11-2/17 is a popular school break for your area, you were wise to book now. It's unlikely they will go down (especially the return flight on President's Day).

 

[JessM]

If it makes you feel any better I just booked my friend's flight who's coming with me on my trip over President's week (2/20-2-25) for $366 round trip on SW. I got my ticket for $320, but rates have been climbing ever since so I just booked his and I'm not going to worry about it anymore. If the fares do come down I'll request a credit but I can live with $366 for a holiday week and good flight times.