Airfare

[DisneyGuess]

How far out do you book your airline tickets?

There are quite a few of us in our family, lol, & I'm trying to price out flying. If we do, I obviously need to get pretty decent flight prices.

So, how far out do you start looking at flight info?

I had heard that the best prices are usually 60-90 days before departure. I had always assumed the earlier you book, the better your price. What do you do & which airline?

We have an Alliegant Air in the local airport but I really didn't want to rent a car if we fly so I'm not sure about them.....
Also, if you have a 2 yr old, use a car seat & do ME, I know you can't use the seat on the ME bus, so what do you do with it?

 

[skiingfast]

I'm not sure there is any reason why you would have not be able to use ME or rent a car. ME can just stick the car seat under the bus like a piece of luggage and give it back to you when you arrive at your resort.

I like to check prices at Bing.com It doesn't sell you tickets it just shows you who is cheapest and helps compare airlines and flight options.

The price will depend on supply of seats and demand or flyers. Way out when few are sold, they are high because they aren't worried about an empty plane. As the flight day gets close if they plane is empty the airline will have a firesale but if there are few the seats go way up in price. It takes some luck to fall between the two.

 

[DisneyGuess]

When would anyone recommend I start really watching for rates?
Obviously the airlines don't even have rates up for our time so I'm just trying to get my timing for everything down.

Also, I was really just wondering what do about our car seat if we used ME because I know you don't use them on the ME buses. Obviously, I'd need it if renting a minivan. The only way I'll have to rent a vehicle is if we fly Alliegant Air.

 

[skiingfast]

When would anyone recommend I start really watching for rates?
Obviously the airlines don't even have rates up for our time so I'm just trying to get my timing for everything down.

Also, I was really just wondering what do about our car seat if we used ME because I know you don't use them on the ME buses. Obviously, I'd need it if renting a minivan. The only way I'll have to rent a vehicle is if we fly Alliegant Air.

I guess you didn't understand. I'll explain again. There is no magic number on when to buy a ticket. If people knew that they would just be busy winning the lottery. Both are severely complex and unpredicatable. For example the last time I flew to MCO I bought the tickets at 7 months out because they were cheaper that I can usually fin them for, they went up two weeks later. At 5 months before my trip they dropped about 2% then went back up at 4 months, they were 25% higher and never came back below this amount. Who would of known this, I just felt lucky that I only missed out on $12 and didn't pay even more?


If you use ME which you can, even if you use Allegient, and you just can't check baggage through from your departure airport to your resort room. You can use ME once in MCO as long as you fly commercial. You just get your bags at the luggage claim take them to the ME buses. Still easier and cheaper than renting a car.

 

[DisneyGuess]

I did understand actually. I realize there is no magic time for flights & that it is unpredictable. I was simply asking when other people have found their deals. I was just trying to decide if I should buy right when rates are released or if I should wait until we are a bit closer. I'm not dumb, I've just never flown since I've had my kids. I just need to get the best deal I can.

I also realize that ME would be much cheaper than renting a car. But, if I fly in on Alliegant, I will have to rent a car as they fly into Sanford/Orlando. I'm trying to weigh prices of doing that vs. flying into MCO at a higher price.

 

[skiingfast]

I also realize that ME would be much cheaper than renting a car. But, if I fly in on Alliegant, I will have to rent a car as they fly into Sanford/Orlando. I'm trying to weigh prices of doing that vs. flying into MCO at a higher price.

Oh well, as I said for your "survey" it was about 6 months out when it turned out to be best for me. If I look now for a flight for nest summer, it turns out to be about 3 times more. Just letting you know.

Yeah I see the dilemma if you can only get a flight to Sanford. Your not the first to face that dilemma, Pay more for a rental+flight of flight to MCO?

 

[ancestry]

I start watching airfare as soon as I know I'm taking a trip. In fact for my upcoming trip in January it was the sale on air fare that prompted me to take a trip. I didn't have one planned until I got a "sale" email and was able to snag air fare for $89 (without taxes and fees) each way.

Unless I'm taking a last minute trip I usually book before 60-90 days out. Often, in my experience, air fare goes up really high at that point unless there are A LOT of seats left.

Basically once I know I'm taking a trip, I start monitoring air fare. I always have an idea or budget of what I am willing to pay. As soon as the air fare hits that price I book. I don't try to hold out for the lowest possible but rather book once the air fare is reasonable and within my budget. When possible I usually book Jet Blue which offers credits if the price falls.

 

[carol-lamb]

I start monitoring air fare once I make my room reservation - usually a few months out from my arrival date. For the past few years, I have been visiting WDW about three or four times a year so I have a pretty good idea on what I am willing to pay and what is a reasonable fare. It is also one of the most frustrating aspects of planning a trip because of how fast fares can go up or down in a single day!

I just made our airline reservations with Delta last week for our upcoming December trip - flying out of Detroit Metro. I was all set to book one day at $249 but I walked away from the computer for about five minutes and when I went to make the purchase, the fare had went up about $50. I was so mad that I had hesitated. Checked later that night and it went up another $50 to $343. Checked several times the next day and it stayed at $343. I told myself to just be patient and that it would come down as there were tons of available seats. The next day it went down to $209 so I immediately booked. I was thrilled - I had saved $50 from what I was originally willing to pay. Wait - it gets better! The next day I decided to see what the fare was for the heck of it (something I usually don't do once I book because I don't like to torture myself) and my mouth dropped open when I saw that the fare had went down to $179! Since it had been less than 24 hours since I made my reservation, I made another reservation at the lower fare and was able to cancel my first reservation. I checked yesterday (Saturday) and it had went up to $397 (same exact flights) per person. I am extremely happy with my $179 air fare and that's the lowest I have gotten in a couple of years.

 

[francie57]

I agree with others, I start watching as soon as I know we are going. We are returning to Disney next Aug. and I have already bought the flights. We use Delta since they have an early morning direct and a 6:00 p.m. direct return flight that we like (basically gives us extra days on our travel days). I book our round trip at $189 with all fees and taxes included. Last year the same flights were over $300 so I'm extremely happy.

 

[DisneyGuess]

Our rates aren't out, but I did check prices for about 3 months out, Delta is at $209 for those. But, when pricing out to Sept. which is as far out as you can book right now, they are also $209. So I guess I'll just watch & the closer we get, & when they release next Dec. rates, hehe, & keep my budget in mind like a pp said. Our problem is we ive in a small area, so our airline choices are limited. The closest airport with SW is 3+ hours away. But, if I could get Delta for $210 or less, I'd be happy!
Thanks for the advice! It is much appreciated from someone who never flies!

 

[PrincesCJM]

The major airlines don't release flights until 330 days before flight. I used this information to book an upon flight for school vacation week in April. Flights are always expensive during that time frame but I feel I got a good price. My flights have changed a couple times already but that is to be expected. Jetblue, Airtran and Soutwest release flights about 6-7 months out. I don't know about Allegiant's schedule. The key is to find a price you like and book it. The day of the week you choose to fly and when you are flying can make a big difference in costs. Also, if it is reasonable, considering flying out of a more major airport for cheaper flights. Typically, Allegiant flies out of smaller airports.

 

[Karlzmom]

I begin tracking as soon as I know I'm going. I create a trip scenario in Farecast and then trust it to let me know the "when" to pull the trigger or wait until I get a sale or other promo that "feels" good.