August vacation and no airfare yet--am I crazy?

[TOBS2010]

I have booked our room for August to go on vacation. I have been looking for airfare but haven't been able to find anything that is either reasonably priced ($400 or more) and all the flights leave super late in the day (5:30 p.m. or later). We need a non-stop flight because we are traveling with a toddler. We are flying from Detroit. I would like to avoid Spirit if possible--we have flown them in the past and did not have good experiences. But would be open to all over airlines.

Should I start looking for other vacation alternatives for our family this summer? Or do you think I still have hope of finding cheaper airfare at better flight times?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You're really limiting your options with only a non-stop flight. However, I see a number of non-stop Delta flights for random flights in August for $244-311 RT. Some have only 2 seats left at this price.

Personally, I would have bought my tickets a few months ago. You probably shouldn't wait too much longer.

 

[maryj11]

I had the same problem and ended up switching our days a little for a lower airfare. We were trying for a non stop flight on Delta leaving on a Sunday returning on Friday cost was 376.00 and had to change it to leaving on Tuesday returning on Sunday cost was 226.00.You might try changing your days around just a little if possible. I called first and made sure I could switch my days at our resort.

 

[mousehockey37]

When exactly are you going in August? I just looked and Delta has flights for 2 adults and a lap toddler for under $400 depending on your departure date and such... so the prices are down, book now!!!!

This is assuming you're going to WDW... and there flights that leave earlier in the day as well.

 

[kj2mom]

I watched flights for our July trip every day and literally over night they went up hundreds. I was devastated! If you can find something you can live with do not wait. I still get a little upset at myself every now and then when I think of how much $$ I wasted.

 

[mousehockey37]

I watched flights for our July trip every day and literally over night they went up hundreds. I was devastated! If you can find something you can live with do not wait. I still get a little upset at myself every now and then when I think of how much $$ I wasted.

You also have to look at the day of the week and how far away from your trip you are... There are certain days that are better than others...

 

[canadiankim]

I booked my flights for Aug 5 - 16 before Christmas and am happy that I did. They haven't gone down in price at all and now they are almost double what I paid for them. We are flying Delta from Buffalo to MCO but we are going via La Guardia but we are okay with that. Total paid was around $1170 for 4 of us.

 

[TOBS2010]

We are looking to travel the week of the 16th. I have been open and flexible to dates and hope to still be on the lookout this week and next to find something cheaper. Unfortunately, our toddler cannot fly as a lap child anymore---he will be over 2.5 and approaching 3 by the time that we fly. If the time of day or the price were to drop---it would open up more possibilities for us. Ideally both would be best case scenario, but I would take one over the other within reason.

 

[Darcy03231]

We are looking to travel the week of the 16th. I have been open and flexible to dates and hope to still be on the lookout this week and next to find something cheaper. Unfortunately, our toddler cannot fly as a lap child anymore---he will be over 2.5 and approaching 3 by the time that we fly. If the time of day or the price were to drop---it would open up more possibilities for us. Ideally both would be best case scenario, but I would take one over the other within reason.

You might want to look into changing your dates. I originally planned to go that week but airfare was outrageous (we live in southern NH and can fly from Manchester or Boston). I usually pay $225-$250 roundtrip and flights were ranging from $238-$457 each way! I changed my dates and ended up at $230 roundtrip. I've seen other posts where people were commenting that flights for that week are high. Something must be going on in Orlando then.

 

[maryj11]

The 16th was the same day we had planned to fly out and had to change to leaving on Tuesday the 18th. It was not going down for the 16th and still hasnt because I checked today. We live in Ohio and fly with Delta. Maybe change your days a little and check on Delta, they have a lot of non stop flights

 

[sam_gordon]

August 16-23 $282 Delta
10:15am-12:48pm depart
7:00am-9:40am return

Fare 1: Carrier DL LA21A0UN DTT to ORL (rules)
Passenger type ADT, one-way fare, booking code L
Covers DTW-MCO (Economy)
$143.26
Fare 2: Carrier DL VA21A0QN ORL to DTT (rules)
Passenger type ADT, one-way fare, booking code V
Covers MCO-DTW (Economy)

Here's what I use to search airfare: https://matrix.itasoftware.com/. You can't book through them, but can get information and go to an airline's website (or call the airline).

I did just search for one passenger. Rates may go up for added passengers.

 

[Malsf05]

We're traveling the week of the 24th in August, we are considering changing to Tampa airport because the flights are too expensive to Orlando (MCO). Non-stop Jetblue flights from NY (LaGuardia).

 

[kandb]

We are leaving NYC on 8/26 to MCO and I booked them a while ago and got them for $89 for JetBlue (no baggage fees). We wanted to return labor day weekend and the prices going from
MCO to NYC were really high, so I booked Monday the 7th from Tampa ($109/1 passengers, $149/4 passengers). I got a rental car cheap, so going to Tampa isn't a big deal.

 

[Disneylover99]

We lucked out last year and got excellent prices in June for our August trip flying Southwest out of Buffalo. Don't give up. Just keep looking.

 

[greenclan67]

If you are going to Detroit anyhow what about Flint, mi? Not much difference time wise but they have flight for $130-$140 non stop.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would not rule out flights with stops...I find that, for us, they actually worked better with toddlers. Really broke it up. Instead of having to sit in a seat for 3+ hours, he could get up and run around for a bit after an hour and a half or so.

Worth my sanity and the price!

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

We're traveling the week of the 24th in August, we are considering changing to Tampa airport because the flights are too expensive to Orlando (MCO). Non-stop Jetblue flights from NY (LaGuardia).

If you don't mind driving an extra hour and a half, check flights to Jacksonville as well. jetBlue offers non-stop from JFK to JAX and the prices are usually significantly cheaper. By flying to JAX instead of MCO or TPA, we typically find rates in the $84 - $115 per person each way range. For our family, the savings is worth an extra 90 minutes in a car.

 

[dis_guy]

I would not rule out flights with stops...I find that, for us, they actually worked better with toddlers. Really broke it up. Instead of having to sit in a seat for 3+ hours, he could get up and run around for a bit after an hour and a half or so.

Worth my sanity and the price!

While I'm no toddler, I'm at the stage where I like to have shorter flight legs, and yes, that means connecting flights. I just like the chance to move around a bit and take a break from it all. If doing this with little ones, just make sure you have a reasonable amount of time to make your next flight. Travelling is stressful enough!

 

[beccasmom]

We lucked out this year because we were able to use our USAirways Visa companion certificate, so two of us are flying for $99 each. DH paid regular price (340.00). We are traveling the week of 8/16 too. My personal deadline for booking our airline reservations is right around 3 months. Then luckily we remembered we had this option and the offer expires in September, so the timing was perfect. Good luck with your search -- I know from experience how frustrating it can be. Sometimes I think it would be easier for us to drive.