Calling all jetblue analysts

[Aisling]

I've been really lucky playing the fare games these past few years, checking fares 10 times day, and always having faith that the prices will go down, and so far it worked, as I've never paid more than $165 RT from NY to MCO, even during Christmas and July 4th week. I usually book my tickets 3 months in advance.

Now, for this upcoming trip, a couple of weeks ago I booked us going to MCO for $74 each way, using jetblue going and delta coming back. I saw the fares go down, and I grabbed them. Great times, too, with dates June 29 and July 5th.

Here's where I need some serious analysis, ESP, or anything I can get to help me. My sister told me today that she wants to come with us, it'll be herself and her 2 kids. Great, cool, lemme take care of it since I'm the travel expert. Well I went to the sites, and lo and behold, the fares went up to $124 on jetblue for the trip down there, and $174 on delta for the trip back. That's sure not the $74 fares I've been bragging about.

Anyway, I know there's probably no way to know for sure, but do you think I should wait it out a litle longer to see if the fares come down? I'm on the verge of just booking just to make sure she's not stuck with the outrageous $500 one way seats that have been showing up. She will not be able to come with us if it comes to that.

I remember when I was planning my flight down pre christmas cruise, and has a good time waiting with some of you for decent fares, which were really high. I told one guy to hld on, my gut tells me the fares will come down bigtime, maybe just for a short web special. He bet me not, since it was Christmas time. But sure enough, I paid I think $63 each way for Dec. 23rd to Jan 1st. And the fares went right back up 2 days later to $299 each way!

I know I'm dragging this on, but I don't have that gut feeling about fares dropping. Please tell me from your experience (in summertime) what the chances are. Again, I know no one knows for sure, but I just need to discuss it to make myself feel better.

Thank you!

 

[swillis]

I'm playing the same "waiting/watching" game with Jet Blue also. I'm looking to get under $100 each way. I'm not going until May, so I have some time (not panicking yet) My experience is that they will go down.

 

[AMcaptured]

Personally I think the Jetblue's prices are a little higher than usual because Delta is absorbing Song and the amount of flights from the Northeast are going to be limited. I also think more people are booking with Jetblue because of Delta uncertainty. I think Jetblue is using this as an opportunity to make some $$$$$. Just my two cents!

AM

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

For travel in peak summer months, I don't see the airfares on these two airlines getting any cheaper. If it were me, I'd take what I could get now.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Take what you can get NOW!

If the fares go down, you can get a credit for them. Your sister may not use the credit, but it's at least something.

 

[cepmom]

is end of August considered peak summer travel time? I have been waiting to book our tickets for 8/30 - 9/3 ~ Jet Blue is too high for me. The return flight is outrageous and I refuse to pay it. I am wondering if they will come down at all too...I have never flown Jet Blue before.

 

[AllyBri]

Called Jet Blue to ask about the booking beyond 9/6 and the woman said she never remembers them waiting this long. Right now they are under the 6 month time frame, she said this is very unusual.

 

[KimWDW]

Personally I think the Jetblue's prices are a little higher than usual because Delta is absorbing Song and the amount of flights from the Northeast are going to be limited. I also think more people are booking with Jetblue because of Delta uncertainty. I think Jetblue is using this as an opportunity to make some $$$$$.

Yup. I wouldn't count on them going down with Delta up in the air and Delta's crazy high pricing.

 

[frannn]

If I were you, I would look on both Delta and Jetblue to see how many seats are still left available. We're not going till Sept, so I can't compare Jetblue's pricing to all the others, but Delta and a few others were at 176 RT (NY-MCO) for a number of weeks. Now, they are 10. higher RT for my trip dates, but most seats are available. I'm going to wait for Jetblue to release their fares, but I definetly have a feeling that they are going to be much higher than normal, even with the off season time we are flying. That will probably cause other airlines to raise their fares. I was happy with Delta Song last year, but have less faith in just going with regular Delta, especially in the shape they are in now. Then again, if Jetblue comes out with some ridiculously high fare for mid Sept, I will go with one of the other airlines (including Delta). I can always bring my travel dvd player, bring less luggage, and sit in an uncomfortable seat for 2.5 hours. I'll live.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Take what you can get NOW!

If the fares go down, you can get a credit for them. Your sister may not use the credit, but it's at least something.

I agree with SnackyStacky: Grab any kind of decent fare now, and hold on to them. If they go down you can get "store credit" and if they go up, you won't be kicking yourself (or rather your sister won't be kicking you ).

Remember, up until two weeks ago, JetBlue was in the midst of a sale. That sale is over now, so they are back to regular prices. Plus the cheap seats are now likely sold on those flights (some of them to you), so your sister is into the next pricing level.

Good luck!

 

[cepmom]

pumpkinboy ~ you seem to know a lot about Jet Blue ~ do you happen to have any info on historic Jet Blue rates? I am waiting for January to open up, but don't want to wait it out unless they have offered decent fares for that time period in the past.