Are you buying your airline tickets now?

[andychris14]

I am not going until August, but am hearing great fares. I am still scared to buy my tickets now. I am hoping that the airline doesn't go under. What are you doing? I feel like I can not pass up a great bargain. I am very confused!!!

 

[ducklite]

I just got my ticket for my February trip to LV, although I'll admit I used FF miles for it. Buy your ticktes now if you find a good fare, but pay with a credit card. As long as you use a credit card if the carrires goes bankrupt you'll get a refund.


The next trip I ned to buy airfare for is 8/21-10/2 or something like that, they just aren't available yet, but if I can get a good price when they are I'll be jumping on it.

Anne

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

Originally posted by ducklite
As long as you use a credit card if the carrires goes bankrupt you'll get a refund.

I've never heard that before; can someone else verify? We had tickets purchased with a credit card when Western Pacific went under. Every other creditor was in line ahead of ticket holders; by the time they got down to the ticket holders, there was nothing left. Credit card company says "sorry, nothing they can do"

Lucky for us, Frontier honored the tickets on any place they went (they didn't go everywhere WestPac went though), so we took a different trip. Frontier basically just ate the price of the tickets, but speaking for myself, they gained an additional customer.


getting back to the original question - the best thing you can do is try to pick a carrier wisely. The larger carriers are probably going to live thru this; likewise some of the smaller carriers that are in good financial shape (Southwest and Frontier seem to be two in this catagory)

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Firefighter Mickey


I've never heard that before; can someone else verify? We had tickets purchased with a credit card when Western Pacific went under. Every other creditor was in line ahead of ticket holders; by the time they got down to the ticket holders, there was nothing left. Credit card company says "sorry, nothing they can do"

Sorry-- I should have been more specific. SOME credit cards will automatically guarantee that you will be reimbursed if this happens- They don't always recoup from the carrier, but they have insurance to cover this type of stuff, and they recoup from that. It would be a benefit asociated with your card. Many Gold and most Platinum cards with travel type insurance (cover car rentals and such) offer this type of protection.

Anne

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Anne,

Just curious - is this true even if you pay your balance off before the "dispute?"

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by SleepyatDVC
Anne,

Just curious - is this true even if you pay your balance off before the "dispute?"

Absolutely--it will appear as a credit on your card. I don't know what would happen if you cancel that card before the dispute though.

Anne

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Good to know. Thanks for replying, Anne.

 

[Kellyh123]

Would American Express be one the cards that would reimburse your money? Do you Know? Thanks

 

[Snow Shoe]

I bought our July trip tickets yesterday on Delta for $114 pp/RT from DFW. It's always been my thinking, that if you find a great deal, jump on it before it disappears. Our oldest married son is also going in July, and when I told him about Delta's price, he called and bought his tickets also. I've bought airline tickes from 6-10 months in advance and have had no problems. Hope its still true this time (LOL)!!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Kellyh123
Would American Express be one the cards that would reimburse your money? Do you Know? Thanks

Kelly-

Sorry, I don't know, I carry one of those as a corporate card, and figure in that case it's the companies issue, not mine, so I never looked into it. For personal purchases I primarily use one of a couple cards that I earn air miles on. They are both platinum and both offer that kind of insurance.

Anne

 

[ScroogesNephew]

Good information. Thanks.

 

[Carl]

Southwest won't even quote a price for anything past Jan. 11, 2002. And
Continental has good deals NOW, but if you are traveling next year, the prices have been INCREASED substantially. So, not advantage to purchasing Continental tickets in advance - unless there is the possibility that there will be no space available if you wait.

 

[The shadow knows]

we buy when the fare is right.

 

[andychris14]

thanks for all the wonderful help!! I have to wait until oct 6 to purchase tickets. We are going August21-Sept3. I believe the airlines only book 331 days out. If I see one of those great deals, I am going to jump on it also. I will pay be Amex and lets see, I hope I will not have to see if they will give me my money back.
Has anyone gotten any great rates for next summer from ny- either jfk or lga? If so, if you do not mind sharing what are they? I am curious to see what price I am looking at. I am going to stick to american, delta, twa or us air. How about you?

 

[winnie11]

Friday I checked the prices on Delta for our trip in Dec and they were 178.00 round trip direct flight. Now yesterday they have no direct flight but all flights stop at Cincinnati or Atlanta? Anyone know if they will have any direct flights or what? I guess I should of bought them but have seen them go down as low as 116.00. Now the prices for the flights are 205.00 for the ones I want. I really wanted those direct flights. Im assuming that the direct flights must of filled up. I guess Saturday?

 

[Carl]

With my One Pass miles. First time I've ever gotten something free! A free flight to Disney. Wow!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well, I bought for my December trip and got $136 a person. The lowest I"ve ever had before was $190. There are 5 of us so it makes a big difference! I checked Monday for our trip in July--the lowest from Toledo was $205, from Detroit the lowest was $306! We've been watching with all of this turmoil, and if it gets to $150 again we're going for it.
Robin M.