Airfare questions

[**pixiedust**]

Ok...please bear with me, because this is probably going to sound really, really stupid.

We have always booked our Disney trips two or three months in advance. The past few years, we have paid around $225 for roundtrip airfare from Boston to MCO in May.

This year, we are thinking of booking now for May of 07. I am pricing airfare and seeing nonstop fares as high as $437.00! Why such a jump in price? Is it the whole fuel cost thing (last year fuel was higher than it is right now!). Or do fares drop the closer you get to your departure date? Am I missing something?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

No, the high airfare this far in advance has very little to do with fuel costs. As I just posted for a similar question about fares from Montana, fares are never very good this far in advance. Airlines live from sale to sale, often started by a so-called "low fare" airline and then matched by everyone else. Some sales are started by the "legacy" (traditional) airlines. But sales normally only cover the upcoming months, 1-3 months from the current date. So if you want a decent fare and sometimes even a bargain, start scanning fares in January/February/March. At some point in there there will be a sale that includes your travel period and that is when you should buy. In fact, shortly after New Year's the airlines typically roll out sales that include travel through May and into early June. There is absolutely no reason to buy your tickets now. There are thousands of seats daily from Boston to Orlando, some nonstop and some with a connection. They are NOT going to sell out of seats if you wait, I assure you.

BobK/Orlando

 

[OKW Lover]

Its way too early to book for May 2007. Go ahead and watch on a weekly basis, but I wouldn't start to consider buying until February - unless you suddenly spot a great rate. We got a great price for December - $158 rt BOS-MCO-BOS on Delta.

 

[Sparkles9306]

Another vote for waiting. Keep an eye out for sales that the airlines are having.

Something else you could try is fly from Manchester, NH depeding on where you live. I'm just north of Boston and choose Manchester. Southwest Airlines flies from there and we always go down to MCO and pay around $135 round trip. Plus parking is cheaper in Manchester!

 

[**pixiedust**]

Thank you all for the tips and information. I just couldn't believe it when I started pricing fares. We haven't been anywhere except Disney for 10 years, and as I said, this is the first time we've considered booking early, so I know nothing about the airfare game. You all really helped. Thanks!

 

[tchrrx]

**pixiedust**

I am so glad that you asked this question! I was just getting online to ask the same thing. I'm also traveling in May and thought that I better book tickets now. It's nice to know that this one thing that we're supposed to wait and buy! Is there anything else that it's better to wait until closer to arrival to purchase?