Booking Airfare- Advice PLEASE!!!

[DarthKTrava]

I've never booked airfare before and am planning a trip to Atlanta and have thought of flying instead of driving due to the high gas prices and parking fees at the hotel I'm staying in. The trip is to be over the Labor Day holiday but I'll be going before the main "crunch" of the holiday travel and same goes for returning home.

How early should I book the flight or should I wait until closer in?
How early would I have to show up to get thru the hassles of security?
Where can I check as far as what I can take with me as far as carry on luggage? Checked luggage?


Secondly, may do the same for Disney trip next year... If so, being at a Skybus hub (Greensboro, NC) and if I use them, going to the Jacksonville/Daytona area, is there reasonable transportation from their to DW? Or would I be on my own with the additional expense of a rental car?

I know of using Expedia (used them for DW trip 2 yrs ago) and was wondering if I wait, there'd be more of a bargain or an increase in price due to the fuel pricing fluctuations.

 

[crs7568]

In general, the earlier you book airfare the better. Sometimes there will be a fare war but high gas prices seem to have made them a thing of the past. I use www.kayak.com and www.sidestep.com which usually have the cheapest flights prices available.
Usually airlines request that you get to the airport about two hours before your departure. Personally I would rather wait in the lounge than worry about missing a flight so I always try to stick to the tow hour rule.

 

[sassyat30]

I always use the airlines site themselves...that's where I've gotten the best deal.

I just booked our tickets to Disney yesterday...and I checked every airport and multiple airlines within two hours of here.

I saved us $100 a ticket, just by flying out of an airport that is larger and two hours away ~ since I figured it isn't going to cost us $100 in gas and parking to get there.

 

[sassyat30]

I've never booked airfare before and am planning a trip to Atlanta and have thought of flying instead of driving due to the high gas prices and parking fees at the hotel I'm staying in. The trip is to be over the Labor Day holiday but I'll be going before the main "crunch" of the holiday travel and same goes for returning home.

How early should I book the flight or should I wait until closer in?
How early would I have to show up to get thru the hassles of security?
Where can I check as far as what I can take with me as far as carry on luggage? Checked luggage?


Secondly, may do the same for Disney trip next year... If so, being at a Skybus hub (Greensboro, NC) and if I use them, going to the Jacksonville/Daytona area, is there reasonable transportation from their to DW? Or would I be on my own with the additional expense of a rental car?

I know of using Expedia (used them for DW trip 2 yrs ago) and was wondering if I wait, there'd be more of a bargain or an increase in price due to the fuel pricing fluctuations.

To answer the other questions, I'd get there at least two hours ahead of time, just to be safe.

And you should be able to check the website of your airline and it will give you information on what type of luggage and carry on rules they have.

 

[DawnCt1]

Try www.farecast.com If its within 3 months or so, you may be able to get a "prediction".

 

[Jestocost]

In general, the earlier you book airfare the better.

That's not really true as a general rule, IMHO, as airlines tend not to start discounting fares until 2-3 months out. But in your case it's a more important consideration, since your plans are for a peak travel time.

I'd definitely use one of the aggregator sites mentioned above to at least get an idea of where fares are now and what your schedule options might be. There could very well be schedule changes between now and then (especially given that Delta is the dominant carrier in ATL and has a reputation for more frequent schedule changes).

The suggested amount of time in advance of your flight to arrive at the airport varies from airport to airport, but in most cases is 90 minutes. Many people, especially those that don't fly often, are more comfortable with a full two hours. In most cases 90 minutes is way more than enough time, but there always are exceptions.

The individual airlines have their own rules on what can and can't go in checked baggage, so you'll need to check with the airline you choose. With carry on luggage the problem isn't so much what the airline's rules are, but what the TSA rules are for getting through security. They have a lot of information on their Web site at www.tsa.gov.

If you have more questions after you go through all of that information, the DIS transportation board is a great place to post them!

Good luck!

 

[CathrynRose]

Alright - I was you 2 years ago. Its overwhelming, so Im feeling you.

To disagree with a PP - 3 to 4 months before your date is generally your lowest airfare. So patience is a virtue.

My advice is this - you decide what youre willing to pay (Mine is $200) and when it drops below that - buy.

It literally will change from day to day. I saw my fare once for 169 - for some ridiculous reason, I waited - it then went up to 259!!! I was so MAD at myself.... for about a month it was at 259, then it went down to 173 - and I bought it.

BUT - with being obsessive like I am (and I am!!!) 3-4 months is your honest to goodness best bet. TRULY.

Im waiting for September to hover under 200 and Im all over it.

 

[CathrynRose]

Oh gosh - I have a great site...lemme find it.

 

[CathrynRose]

Check this out! http://www.farecast.com/

Good luck - in no time youll be as cocky and confident as I am when buying tickets.

 

[Pig Pen]

My son lives in Jacksonville so last year we flew into JAX, visited with him, then rented a car to Orlando...it was over $100 to rent a car one-way! I don't know of any other way to get to Orlando unless you want to try a bus?

 

[golfgal]

Traditionally the lowest airfares are 21 days before travel. Book too early and you will pay more, book too late, you will get soaked. Sign up for Travelocity's fare watcher and you can keep tabs on the airfare. Other travel sites have something like that as well.