Booked My Flight Early - Paid too Much!

[Bill From PA]

This past weekend marked the 330 day time limit for my March 2006 trip. I've been watching the airfares from PHL to MCO for the weeks preceeding my dates and I decided to grab my tickets early as I believe fuel costs will cause fares to skyrocket this Summer and Fall. I usually keep tabs on rates over time and make my purchase 3 months out, give or take. I haven't been shy about crowing that I've bought my plane tickets at their low the last few trips, so it's only fair that I eat some crow now. Although I've been seeing RT non-stop flights from PHL to MCO for $181 for Feb. 2006, I wasn't surprised to see them at $218 on Sat. when I checked as late Feb. - early March usually shows and increase in travel and in prices, so I made my purchase. It's still the third lowest fare from my neck of the woods to MCO and the second lowest non-stop, so historically, it's a good rate. However, next day I looked again and the rate was $181, so my lack of patience cost me. Perhaps those who are waiting on better rates will be rewarded, a day later would have been better for me.

Bill From PA

 

[laurabelle]

I hate it when that happens... I'm not sure which airline you booked through, but I started flying SW now, they fly direct from where I live (had enough nightmares with missing flights and lost luggage and taking too dang long to get there to fly otherwise when I can thank you very much!) and I'm able to change my flights without penalty and recieve credit. HTH

 

[puffkin]

I feel your pain, but I am an early buyer of airfare as well! Too picky with my times and often times I need to know far in advance. I don't believe that some people understand how hard it is to book flights out of Philly. There aren't a whole lot of options to choose from, and I usually can't wait for Southwest to open up their fares (not to mention the low fares are usually gobbled up in minutes). My rule of thumb is that if the price around $200 for the times and days I want, to book. I don't wait around once I have my travel days locked in. Sorry you got burned this time, but at least you got something locked in now at a fairly reasonable price.