Booking through Delta Airlines

[Ajbro44]

Does anyone have insight as to when to book the best rate for delta? Is it best to book right as flights are announced? Or better to wait 4-6 months for a better rate?
Also. Is it possible the airline will add more flights throughout the year? Thanks in advance

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Once the set the schedules they do not add flights.
Prices tend to fluctuate through the year so its hard to say when the best deals are. I have a trip at the first part of Dec and just today SWA is having a Black Friday sale and my flight dropped in price by $60 and I was able to rebook at the lower fare. That I what I love about SWA you can rebook for free. and get a refund of the points used.

 

[sam_gordon]

In the past (which is no indicator of the future), I've found the lowest price on Delta about 2-3 weeks after the flights are released. And while new flights generally aren't added, Delta does change flights, and doesn't always notify their passengers. So you need to keep checking your reservation. They may even change seats (if you've picked yours).

The best bet (with any airline) is to book when you're comfortable with the price. SW "price drops" may not help you if they don't service your airport, or if you don't fly often. They issue credits back to the name on the ticket (NOT who purchased the ticket). The credit needs to be used within one year from original purchase date. So if you book a flight now for next May, and the price drops in February, you would have to use the credit by November 2016.

 

[DebbieB]

My experience with Delta is they frequently change schedules. I have used it to my advantage in the past when booking award tickets. I'll book the flights with the lower miles amounts and then when there's a significant flight change, I'll call and get moved to the flights I really want for no additional miles. For example, one time I booked a flight mid-day PIT-JFK-MCO. They changed schedules so that the PIT-JFK flight arrived about the same time as the JFK-MCO flight left. I called and got on the morning flight through Atlanta that I really wanted.

 

[boufa]

My experience with Delta is they frequently change schedules. I have used it to my advantage in the past when booking award tickets. I'll book the flights with the lower miles amounts and then when there's a significant flight change, I'll call and get moved to the flights I really want for no additional miles. For example, one time I booked a flight mid-day PIT-JFK-MCO. They changed schedules so that the PIT-JFK flight arrived about the same time as the JFK-MCO flight left. I called and got on the morning flight through Atlanta that I really wanted.

I don't fly often, but this is exactly what we have done this trip. They make enough moves, and I make adjustments, and usually come out ahead.

As for price... my trip in feb has wobbled in price about $5 on any given day, but not enough to stress.

 

[karly05]

In the past, I've usually flown American, and their prices go up and down and up and down... I have a target price I'm trying to get under and watch persistently for that. I hate buying plane tickets more than about 3 months out because (to me) it's such a hassle to deal with if I have to change/cancel (I'm not on SW). Next year I'm probably trying Delta for the first time, and am already watching prices, although I don't plan to seriously shop until the first of the year.

My frustration with Delta at the moment is, when I first started watching early this summer, there was an afternoon flight from ATL to my home. That flight has been dropped now, and my only option from ATL to home doesn't get in until after dark. I have no idea if Delta will add back an afternoon flight, or if I'm just stuck coming home late.

 

[soccer mom]

We fly delta out of Detroit and the last few years it seems that when they start to go up, they go up and up with little fluctuation. I would book shortly after they are released. I haven't noticed any major schedule changes. But that may vary by city. Detroit is a hub, maybe that makes a difference for us.

 

[alliecat523]

Have you ever tried the ITA Matrix software from Google (it's free...just google it)? It will show you the range of prices over a period of time and with a variety of airlines. You can pinpoint what you want and then it gives you the info to go to the airline and book. It's worked great for me.

 

[Ajbro44]

Thank you all for the information. I will have to try ITA matrix