Best time to book airfares - Sept/Oct 2012

[Aust]

So we are looking at going back to DL next September. I want to go V Australia this time. I've had a look at airfares for around this time next year and they're expensive.

What's the best way to get a good airfare - keep looking at the airline website directly on a regular basis to keep an eye out for deals? or use Webjet or similar? And what about timing - when do deals usually come out? I am not a 'leave it to the last minute' kind of person and we'll need 5 seats, so am not keen on waiting too long - but on the other hand I don't want to book too early and pay too much (also I need some more saving time!).

The first time we went to DL we just used a travel agent and didn't question the price, and in January this year I used Qantas and it was really expensive due to the time of year ($3,000). Could cope with that as it was just me, but multiplied by 5 that is not going to work.

 

[aussietravellers]

I think just keep an eye out for a great special and when you see it grab it. I wouldn't think that the better specials for that time won't come out until next year. Join all of the email notifications for different travel sites, keep a look out here and keep checking the VAust website.

Sept/Oct is school holiday time so not a really cheap time for airfares but you may find a good deal between now and then.

 

[battymum]

I was in your position last year, l waited and waited for a sale and had set my budget at $1500 pp -

Luckily Qantas announced the new Dallas route in January with some great prices and I jumped on those. $1250 return to Orlando, I never saw anything come even close to those prices -

 

[BigDisneyOE]

We are booking next week for Sept 2012. Flying Air NZ out of Auckland, so different routes/airlines but the reason for early booking is that it's 30% off flights with AirNZ to the USA up to 2 October 2012 until next Monday. It's a saving of over $2300 for us on a basic fare, so one of the adult ones - no brainer to save that much and lock it down early.

 

[Sugarglider]

the best way is to sign up for the airlines / agents autoemails. You'll delete almost all of them - but you will get that special one that announces the deal.

 

[BobbyRach]

Flight Centre have their expo in February and we were told that is when good prices would be released for September/October.

We wanted to fly V Australia as well but Qantas just released an awesome deal going through Dallas so we booked with them and got 2 adult tix and 1 child tix return for less than $5k including insurance.

 

[aussiegirls]

To be honest, I am not sure that there is a "best" time anymore. We went in Sept/Oct 2009 and I got a great price in about March of that year (I think it was about $1000).

This year we are going in 12 days and I only bought the tickets last week and it was $1300, which at the moment is as good as I have seen for direct flights.

So I think that it really is just a matter of keeping your eyes open and when you see a price you are happy with just grab it - then stop looking or you might end up depressed

Good luck

xxx

 

[AlyssaCameronsDad]

This year we are going in 12 days and I only bought the tickets last week and it was $1300, which at the moment is as good as I have seen for direct flights.

Did you have your trip pre-planned, or just saw the flights & decided to go based on the cheap flights? I couldn't imagine waiting 3 weeks before my trip to buy tickets!

Like the OP, we're looking at going next September/October - shouldering the Vic school holidays. Because of the return dates, we won't be able to book until mid-late November, but was also curious about when to book and who to go with.

To complicate our issues, we have enough for 1 qantas FF ticket. But to get a FF ticket, it's better to book early.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[aussiegirls]

No, our trip was not pre planned. It is a very spur of the moment trip, hence the purchase of the tickets (and everything else) only 2 weeks before we leave.

Only 10 more sleep

xxx

 

[australiankaren]

hey there

re sept travels...we booked in january for v australia flights in sept....it seems the price drops for a while around jan 4...........maybe trying to get things moving again after xmas....

this time I'll wait til march or so to get flights, unless i see them dirt cheap. trying to convince DH to try china airways to LA via beijing ....so its a waiting game for me, and patience is not in my vocab...

so dont forget to post your plans so I can copy..oops..I meant read and enjoy your planning with you.

 

[Aust]

Thanks for all the advice, I've signed up for a few email alerts and will keep a close eye on things from early next year, ready to jump on a bargain if any come along.