best time for low fares?

[d4est]

Is there a best time, meaning how far in advance, to get airline tickets? We will be flying from Albany, Syracuse, or Newburg NY to MCO Feb 19, 2005.

Also, to get the best fares do you use websites like orbitz, individual websites like jetblue.com or call the airlines?

Thanks!

 

[d4est]

hoping for some responses...

 

[safetymom]

I would start looking now. There aren't as many good fares as there used to be.

You need to check all the sites. Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc. and the airlines own web site. Sometimes the prices will be better on the airlines web site.

There aren't as many flights either as there used to be so when you find a good deal go for it because it may not drop that low again.

 

[d4est]

Thanks for the responce. I have been looking and the lowest I have found is something like 242/person....hoping for lower...

 

[RamseyTrio]

hi there -

Based on my personal experience JETBLUE always comes in less than everyone else (and has the best service too! ). We fly them from JFK - MCO and the most we've ever paid was $158 pp. They are the only airline we fly lately.

However, if we are going someplace that jetBlue doesn't, or if I'm checking prices for other people...

I always check the major airlines on their websites and then call them to compare. Usually the online prices are cheaper EXCEPT if I'm looking for a "senior" rate for my MIL and then calling seems to work best.

I haven't had much luck using any of the services like Expedia, Cheap Tickets, etc...I always seem to be able to find better bargains myself ( but it's always worth checking out).

Try www.sidestep.com It's a free service and they find lots of cheapp flights for you (they search a lot of the lower/smaller airlines which is nice).

AS for how far in advance etc...to get tickets - ASAP is always my motto. AS for jetBlue -it is my understanding that they start their pricing at the lowest and when those seats sell they increase their price to the next level and continue up from there. However, if they offer a special promotion and you've already booked they will credit your jetBlue account the difference and you can use that $ to purchase tickets again within a year.

Hope this helps a bit...happy fare hunting!

 

[Esmerelda]

Hi D4est,

Please go back and read my post "tips on finding airfare" from 2 days ago. It might be of use to you.


happy planning,
Esmerelda

 

[ckret01]

I checked Stewart airport NY for Southeast airlines and they didn'y have any flights for my vacation time this upcoming trip. I don't know other airlines that go out of there to Florida other than that one. I usually find that Laguardia(LGA) airport has the cheapest flights even better than JFK anf Newark. I also found that jetblue and delta song have close to the same rates. We flew delta song last year out of LGA.

 

[Jen in MA]

How far in advance can you book with JetBlue? I'm flying in April 2005.

 

[d4est]

I appreciate your time & guidance. I looked around some more...downloaded sidestep & checked out bestfares.com

Still coming up with prices well over 200/person. Jet blue doesn't have my dates yet.**Jen in MA, it seems they only go about 6 months out.

I also checked Southeast air out of Newburg, NY...their fares look good (from 69-89 one way) but they only have dates up to November.

I guess I will keep hunting. At this rate, I am guessing I won't see the "good" fares from the discount airlines until about mid August.

Thanks again guys!!!