airfare is a killer

[Shleedogg]

Anyone have any info on airfare deals? I can't find anything less than $200/pp rt, and those are with layovers (hard with a 2 yr old). I've been searching all the price comparison sites (expedia, kayak, airfarewatchdog), jetblue, southwest, airtran and everything is so expensive for Feb. We usually plan far in advance, do prices usually get cheaper if you wait until last minute? DH is really discouraged by the cost and despite the fact that we can afford it, doesn't want to go if we have to pay $600 for flights. Help!

 

[Ericandjenng]

Two things:
1. Supposedly the best airline deals are on Tuesdays (I think, either that or Wednesdays).

2. Do you have to fly from a particular airport? Sometimes another airport within a reasonable driving distance might have a better price. We're about 3 1/2 hours from Atlanta and 2 1/2 hours from Nashville. In the past, we've gotten such better deals from one or the other vs where we live that we've driven to one or the other and flown from there. I also check Chattanooga and Asheville, NC which could be possibilities for the right price.

 

[pintamino]

Where are you flying from? $200 pp seems really reasonable to me.

 

[AnninIowa]

I would love $200 airfare! From my airport in Iowa, tickets - with the tax and fees added in - START at $500!!

 

[Shleedogg]

Two things:
1. Supposedly the best airline deals are on Tuesdays (I think, either that or Wednesdays).

2. Do you have to fly from a particular airport? Sometimes another airport within a reasonable driving distance might have a better price. We're about 3 1/2 hours from Atlanta and 2 1/2 hours from Nashville. In the past, we've gotten such better deals from one or the other vs where we live that we've driven to one or the other and flown from there. I also check Chattanooga and Asheville, NC which could be possibilities for the right price.

I've heard that as well from my Step-Dad, I think it's Wed. I'll have to check next week. We live smack dab in the middle of two major airports. I checked both and it's the same from both this time. You're right though, usually one is cheaper than the other. That's why I'm so stumped this time.

Where are you flying from? $200 pp seems really reasonable to me.

Rochester or Buffalo, NY. For the last 2 yrs we've been able to find it for about $150 rt/pp, so it's the sticker shock of adding an extra $50/pp plus DD's ticket (she just turned 2 and past lap child age). We were prepared for $450-$500. I've also gotten lucky for the last couple of trips to find coupon codes and discounts, $25 off each ticket always helps!

 

[Shleedogg]

I would love $200 airfare! From my airport in Iowa, tickets - with the tax and fees added in - START at $500!!

OMG . That's insane! I am so sorry!

 

[angwill]

It is actually Wednesday early AM hours they say is when it goes down. Personally, in many years of trying to price airline tickets I have never found it to be true but YMMV. I also find air fare cheapest at 4 months, 2 months, and 2 weeks from travel. HTH

I have been looking out of the Chicago area with Midway and Ohare this year and airfare is really up there compared to years past. The best I found for for March is $280 rt pp. This is also the third week of March. Out of Chicago I would jump on $200 rt pp.

Good luck to you.

 

[angwill]

PS check out Yapta.com and you can get a report daily to see who has the cheapest rates from your area to Orlando.

 

[Pigeon]

Airfare is usually $500-700 pp for us. I'd kill for $200 plane tickets!

 

[jiminy14]

I got $64 each way tickets on Southwest for early February back in October. SWA's recent sale had the same tickets for $74 each way. SWA usually releases their sale prices on Tuesday and you can sign up for their e-mails so you receive notification when they have those sales.
You may find that the airfare is higher around the Presidents Day weekend because that is a busier time at WDW.

 

[pigletto]

I am in the same boat as you. I flew for 600 for 4 of us return in 2008, and 800 for four of us in August of this year. Right now a direct flight is over 1600.. and we will also be flying from Buffalo. If it stays that high we will drive.

I highly recommend Bing fare watcher. Google it. You type in your dates and it analyzes the data for all flights and predicts the prices and whether you should buy now or wait. It also shows you where it has gone up and down for the last few months.
I was able to wait until fares dropped to save a few hundred on those direct flights in August with Bing. I think I purchased at 3 weeks out.

It is worth looking into

 

[Aliceacc]

The last 2 trips I've taken to WDW, we paid just about $200 pp round trip from JFK.

I did my homework-- honestly, it was thereaputic for me-- and that was the best price I could find for midweek August airfare.

My only suggestion is to look into the possibility of leaving from some other city, then seeing whether or not it's worth the gas to get there and the overnight hotel stay-- my gut is saying NO, but I've been wrong before.

 

[PrincesCJM]

When in February are you looking to travel? It doesn't sound like it would be during a school vacation week since the prices would be much higher than $200pp. Are you dates flexible? Even moving them a day or two in either direction can make a huge difference.

ETA: Where are you traveling to? WDW or else where?

 

[ancestry]

If you can alter your travel dates at all you may be able to find cheaper airfare. Although it varies by airport, I have found that it is cheapest for us to travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday when going to MCO. Friday and Saturdays are high with Sundays usually being the highest, especially for the flight home. If you can travel on a weekday to and from if may bring down the cost a bit.

Also I agree that $200 round trip per person is pretty reasonable. $150 is unusually low, in my opinion. I have never been able to get $150 round trip from my home airport. The lowest I have ever seen is about $180-$200. We usually budget about $250 per person round trip which is closer to the average price from my home airport but when lucky I can get it for around $200 or slightly under.

 

[dougsmom98]

I'm sure you have probably played with the days of travel too - if you have flexibility. Midweek travel is generally less expensive. We have seen a steady increase in prices to travel each year too. Every year the price has gone up for us $15 or so. This year it went up $40per person. We have to go during President's week though so it was either bite the bullet or not go. A layover with a 2 year old is not that bad. We have been doing layovers since our kids were 4,2 and 2. I prefer a layover to having to drive 2-3 hours to a different airport. It gives the kids a chance to stretch, have lunch, and explore a new airport. We play card games and take all sorts of goofy airport pictures. If you are going in February, I personally wouldn't wait much longer to book.

 

[chyam]

$200.00 per person seems very reasonable to me, I believe those that booked much earlier got great deals because at that time the fuel costs were much much lower, it seems once again that the airlines are jacking up prices simply because the cost of fuel has skyrocketed. IMO if you wait to much longer they may go up even more. Especially with FL being a destination in the midst of winter, by that time most northeners are sick of winter and wanting to head south. Good luck.

 

[polineedyan]

Agreed. $200 per is still a very good price. It would cost us that to drive from ohio when you consider gas and lodging..
In the past, airfare HAS gone down as you get closer to the travel date. However, last summer that seemed to change, with verification from Airtran that they arent really doing that anymore. Air travel is one area that has shown some recovery in the economic downturn.
Be thankful for the airfare price of 200 per. 600 bucks is pretty easy to come up with between now and your travel date..

 

[mjkacmom]

If you happen to be going during the presidents week break, that sounds like an awesome deal! Actually, I live close to the NYC airports, and I don't think we've ever flown anywhere for under $200 a ticket.

 

[Shleedogg]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I looked at Bing and it's telling me to wait, that fares are dropping $20. Here's hoping....

I'm surprised to find that our $150/pp isn't the norm. We've been able to find $60-$80 fares each way for every trip we've taken between Jan 09 and Sept 10.

We're very flexible in our travel dates. Any time in the month of Feb. DH works in technology for an online used textbook marketplace so he can't go anywhere in Jan at the start of the Spring semester and I'm due with our second in April, so I can't travel in March/April. But, I'm a SAHM and DH's work is flexible as far as the week so any time in Feb is fine for us. I've been looking all over Feb and the best seems to be leaving either the 1st or the 9th (which is DH's birthday). Right now both are the same price, from both nearby airports.

We prefer nonstop, as we have done layovers (or had delayed/canceled flights) in the past and DD was difficult. But, that's the only way to even get the $200, so we will be doing a layover this time. The ones that kill me are the 3 hr plus ones, but under 2 hrs isn't a big deal. I'm going to wait and see what the fares look like on Tues and Wed and probably book then if I can convince DH that the price is reasonable.

 

[KKB]

Over the last year airlines have cut flights--so prices are overall higher on all routes & all airlines.
While a connecting flight does run you the risk of delayed/cancelled flights, we found a decent layover better when we fly w/ our kids...we grab something to eat, walk around...
I'd take those $200 tickets--you might be rudely surprised when they go higher! Typically air gets higher as dates get closer...(except Allegiant)