Buying airline ticket questions

[Goofyta]

I have never bought airline tickets before, so I have a few questions. We won't be going to Disney until June or July 2006, so I have some time.


When purchasing airline tickets is it usually cheaper to have a weekend stay?

Do you usually get better rates the farther out you book?

Which airlines have you found to typically have the better rates?

Thanks!

 

[rae662000]

What I have found it that the time of the year you go and the destination makes a difference. For example, I am going to WDW in Sept and traditionally Sat travel is okay around that time because most travelers during that time are business travelers so during the week is more expensive than traveling on a Sat/Sun. Now maybe in June/July travel maybe different. I know a website that you can go to that will give you the historical prices for travel during a certain month and that maybe a good starting point of what you do not want to go over. Then you want to sign up at all the fare watcher sites including the airlines own websites with your home airports and ones very close by.

Sometimes you get a good deal far out sometimes not. Traditionally if you are traveling before june/july you will get your best deals in may, I think that memorial day marks summer travel sales, so if you are not too close to your departure date I would try and wait it out. Although sometimes airlines will have a great sale that may extend for 10 months with certain blackout dates and unless you are traveling on a holiday these can also be a good deal. Anyway here is that website http://matrix.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch

Sorry not able to paste but hope it works and good luck.

 

[Goofyta]

Thanks, I will check that matrix out.

 

[jesszac610]

We always fly to Wdw with Southwest Airlines. They continually have good deals. Just back last week 4 rt tix from Manchester to Orlando and we paid only $55 one way! Two things to know about SW, they don't have preassigned seating, it's open so it depends on when you get your boarding passes and the other thing is they are currently booking only to end of Oct.
The special for us ran in April, we downloaded their discount airfare "Ding" and that's how it came up! You can get lots of info on their website www.southwestair. com Good Luck!