Airfare for April 2005

[MARN1234]

I can't beleive I already booked my air for April 2005. I'm a little nervous because I've never planned this far ahead before. I need specific dates and times so I took the plunge. Can't beelive the airfare already went up $50 per ticket. Anyone else looking into airfare for next year yet? Maggie

 

[Poly Pal]

Hey Marn,

Where ya been? All of us Nutmeggers booked our flights for next April School Vacation 331 days out. A whole bunch of us were up until midnight just waiting to book!

Don't fret about fares for next April now that you've gottem'. The fares most likely will only go up from here on out. For last April's vacation, Song fares did come down about $65 pp for a day or two in August. Just keep checking.

Have a great trip!

 

[MARN1234]

Hey Poly,

I know, I know. I was slightly asleep at the wheel. Once I woke up I was about 325 days out and got a fare of $285 out of Bradley. I'm not too worried about the money aspect, especially since Delta will give you credit for the difference if the fare does go down. I'm mostly concerned about flights being added I might prefer and just the sheer magnitude of planning so far ahead. But hey, more time to obsess over spring room discounts.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Yep, PolyPal and I were up the same nights making plane reservations. PolyPal was more successful that I was, but we're still pleased that 3 in our party of six are flying on SkyMiles, and the four of us on the Boston leg will all be flying together and non-stop (sadly, no direct service from Portland Maine). For the two non-stop cash tix we paid plenty, but expect to get a rebate once prices go down when (or if) Delta goes into chapter 11 bankruptcy this summer. But this way we have the flights, days and times we want locked in.

I was remarking to Poly Pal that I was suprised that some of you Nutmeggers get spring school vacation then as I thought it was only Mainers and us Mass... (um, maybe not) who were off then, with the whole Patriots' Day thing and all.

 

[bakmmo]

We also booked 331 days out on Song from JFK. We got $210 each direct and had $200 each in vouchers from being bumped on our last trip in February. I love flying for free!!!!

 

[MARN1234]

Didn't even have a chance with miles plus I'd rather save them for a trip to Carribean I'm planning (Gasp, a NON-Disney trip!). We did the NY airport thing when we went last April. Can't deal with that even for $200 RT. Too much of a hassle from CT. Our April vacation is usually third week of April. Our last trip I met people from NH when we were leaving whose vacation was the 4th week of April. They had a quiet week. Of course, quiet being a relative word at Disney.

Maggie

I'm trying to sneak a quick trip in August, think the air will come down? It's only $186 out of Hartford but it's been that rate for months now.

 

[Chicago526]

I just check for some clients for Apr. '05 from Boston. The bandits wanted $509 per seat! This is a party of six, that's $3000!

I told them to wait a bit, hopefully the airlines are just keeping fares high until they knowwhat fuel prices are going to do. Either that or forget the big carries and try JetBlue or SW when their schedules come out later this year.

 

[Poly Pal]

Marn1234,

That $186 fare for BDL / MCO is a sale fare that is going to expire at some point. So snatch it up while you still can! We're on Song for $178 RT in August (cruising on the Magic )

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by Chicago526
I just check for some clients for Apr. '05 from Boston. The bandits wanted $509 per seat! This is a party of six, that's $3000!
I told them to wait a bit, hopefully the airlines are just keeping fares high until they knowwhat fuel prices are going to do. Either that or forget the big carries and try JetBlue or SW when their schedules come out later this year.

As of yesterday, those same direct flights are up tp >$600! Glad I have 2 of mine booked on SkyMiles and the other two at $509.

But, for the record, there are cheaper flights out of Boston and nearby airports for those dates, you would just have to make a connection (so perhaps "bandit" is a bit overboard). And in the airlines' defence, these are the seats that they are definately gonna sell anyway, so no sense giving up the "family jewels" at a discount when you know you can fill them up for full price at a later date. And they really do need the money at this point too. (but they're only gonna get it from 2 members of my family, thank you).

 

[ejfont]

[not too worried about the money aspect, especially since Delta will give you credit for the difference if the fare does go down. ]

I fly fairly often, not Delta, but just booked tickets for my honeymoon through them. I have never heard of getting a credit if fares go down. Is this for only certain fare classes? Where exactly is this written?

Thanks

 

[Jillpie]

Hi pumpkinboy , its me, your fellow April flight seeker. Hey, remember when I got that great rate of 113.00 for April vacation next year on our return flight, Orlando to Boston one way? (but connecting in Atlanta) Well...just for yucks I called Delta today to see how much its gone up, are you ready?? And this is a connecting flight! 572.00!!!! Do you believe this? I am so glad I did the 331 days out thing when we all did. Got the 107.00 going down. So glad. Anyway, that connecting flight isn't so cheap anymore!

 

[pumpkinboy]

That's funny Jillpie! So 331 days paid off for both of us. Notably, my parents' connecting flight to MCO out of Portland Maine (they will meet us there) was up >$100 from when we booked, up to $430. Also, I was looking at the flights, and some of them are almost sold out, others are half full, which is impressive since we're still 10 months out. Just goes back to my point that these are flights they can be sure to sell anyway, so no sense in discounting them.

I still think these will go down some if and when Delta goes into chapter 11 to shake thing out.

 

[Jillpie]

10 months out??....gotta get myself to the gym. Gotta join said gym. Gotta look totally buff for my first ever cruise!!!! Only 10 months out, I kept thinking it was 12 months.

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by Jillpie
10 months out??....gotta get myself to the gym. Gotta join said gym. Gotta look totally buff for my first ever cruise!!!! Only 10 months out, I kept thinking it was 12 months.