Best time to purchase airfare?

[o2bnoz]

Hi,
Wondering if any of you who travel frequently know the timeline for buying airfare?. We are traveling in February 2011. I don't know if it's better to wait, wait, wait... or to buy when I see something that seems OK? Flying from Detroit, Toledo or Cleveland (Ohio) to Orlando (obviously). Looking at Allegiant (although kind of afraid that they'll cancel the flight since it's flying out of a small airport), Spirit Air (out of Detroit), SW out of Cleveland...

Any and all advice appreciated!!

Thank you!

 

[Pembo]

We booked SW the day fares came out and found that to be the cheapest. This was for Cle-Mco for June 2009. This year we flew CMH-Mco and I got a great fare about 3 months out.

 

[o2bnoz]

Thanks!

When we went in Oct. 2008, we flew SW CLE-MCO. I got a pretty good rate that time, if I remember correctly. So far it seems as if the rates I'm seeing on SW aren't that great! But I haven't been able to see the Feb. 2011 rates yet. I'm going to go back and look at things tonight. It's one of those things that just stresses me out. I'm so afraid of jumping the gun or even worse, letting a great fare slip by because I think there might be a better one that comes along. Geesh... at least with park tickets and others things I have a fairly fixed rate in mind.

I appreciate your help!

 

[Donna M]

I'm heading down in Feb. too and our flights are $300 on Delta right now. They have never been that high. I read that SW will post their Feb fares on Aug 17. I'm trying to get the time they post them since someone said you need to get the fare within 30 min or the good ones are gone.

 

[zulaya]

The deals of the past are really in the past.

Airlines have cut capacity and are flying full planes.

My example: I'm in MSP, which has notoriously high airfare. A couple of years ago, I would have said I'd by when prices get below $250 pp RT including taxes.

Now, for the same time of year I usually travel, those same flight times haven't been below $330 pp RT including taxes. And I've been watching every day since the fares came out.

I will say I am picky about when I fly, so I know I'm limited. But by that token, I am very well versed in what the pricing has been like. And it's been much much higher.

Years ago, I'd buy about 7 months out...that seemed to be when the prices took a significant drop. Now, it's a complete and total crap shoot.

Right now...while I'd love to pay $250pp, I think I may jump on the first dip below $300. I have time and thankfully can look at the seating chart to see that while some seats are full, the majority of the plane is still fairly empty.

 

[o2bnoz]

Thanks everyone... that's what I was afraid of. The pp said it well, it's a crap shoot!

I found rates for Allegiant Air out of Toledo, Ohio (not far from us at all) for 79.99 one way!! I can't book for February '11 yet, but I think in another couple of weeks those dates will open up. I am thinking that the rates will stay the same. BUT... my fear with this airline is that they won't be there in February. It's a small airport and it seems like any "too good to be true" rates and airlines never last long.

Also, when I put in the information to get the totals, I can book a full-size rental car for the whole 11 days, too. The total price, for all 5 airfares, and the car is $1500. That's a steal! That also includes paying for 2 pieces of checked baggage at $39.98 each (yeah... incredibly high). Even if I put in for another checked bag, which I may do just for the peace of mind, it's a good fare.

Another thing that surprised me when I was checking this out, is that they have a page where you can pay an extra 10.99 or 13.99 per person for certain seats (bulkhead, or being able to pick any seat you want at this point) and also another 9.99 per person for pre-boarding. I have never seen these sorts of charges. Of course, I wouldn't pay for that. I will take my chances with seating. with 4 adults and a child, we may not be able to all sit together, but I'm fairly certain that others would accommodate us so that one of us could sit with my son (me!).

Does anyone know what happens if an airline cancels all of its flights at the last minute? Are you just screwed, or does the airline help you find other options?? I suppose that's wishful thinking. I just have this vision of having it all paid for months in advance... planned... everything ready, then in January Allegiant decides to stop flying out of Toledo and then WHAT??? I would assume flights at the last minute would be crazy expensive. I guess that's what trip insurance is for, but how horrible would that be!??

Maybe I'm worrying for no reason... well, obviously I am.. haven't even booked the flights yet!

Thanks for listening to my neuroses.

 

[sam_gordon]

The deals of the past are really in the past.

I wouldn't say that. The last two times we flew (2009 & 2007), we paid $200-$250 (before taxes & fees) per ticket round trip. Planning our trip for 2011, and waiting for the flights to open up for our return trip, but so far all the flights in the days preceeding what we need are $165 round trip INCLUDING taxes and fees. Granted, baggage fees aren't in yet, so that will probably be an extra $100-$150, but prices have gone down (at least for me).

Regarding the "extra" fees that Allegient, Sprint, etc are using... that's one reason I won't fly them (at least not with my family). By the time you add the extra fees to make sure my family sits together, the kids have window seats, etc, it's just as much as one of the "big" airlines. If it was just myself flying somewhere, that's fine. But I'm not going to take a chance on the kids being separated.

 

[o2bnoz]

$165 round trip INCLUDING taxes and fees.

Where are you flying from? I would love to find that rate!!!

 

[Pembo]

I read on these boards that Continental had a $159 fare out of Cle for October. That is a fare of the past...

$79 is awesome..don't know much about Allegiant though

 

[pooch]

for our early Sept trip. I am an airfare gambler & check both SWA and Delta (the 2 airlines that fly non-stop from Htfd CT to Orlando) mutliple times every day. So far (and I'm probably jinxing myself) I have always found my price. This year fares with fees have held a steady $260 R/T. On Monday night, I checked in about midnight and Delta had dropped to $190, my goal this year being anything under $200 R/T. This only lasted about 24 hrs but I was able to snag it for DBr and me. My advice - check, check, check!!!!

 

[loxie]

I would buy as soon as they come out. I didnt & regret it... I still havent bought tickets because now there too high, so im hoping they go back down but I dont think they will.. they were $50 cheaper per ticket the day the came out for me.