Christmas 2013

[dcessford]

Does anyone know roughly when airlines will release flights and prices for air travel over Christmas 2013? I notice so far they only really go up till the end of November.

 

[dis_guy]

They're all a bit different but the legacy (AC, United, etc.) airlines book to about 11 months out. So, if they're booking Nov now, they'll have all of Dec by the end of January. Generally, the available dates advance one day, every day. Usually it's best not to book as soon as your dates come up. The prices often drop after they've been up for a week or so. Now, having said that, Christmas is a peak travel time, so grab your flights as soon as you see a price you can live with, and don't check prices again. Of course I do, and have been disappointed only once. Good luck.

 

[dcessford]

Thanks for the info and advice.I wasn't looking to book right away but wanted an idea of flight schedules and prices.I know the prices will go up and down in price and will book when I am comfortable with the price.

 

[dis_guy]

When are you going? You can get reasonable fares for most of December quite easily right up to about the 21st. In this case you can wait a bit to see what fares will do.

If you're traveling after the 21st (peak season), the fares will only go up over time. In 2009 I waited when the fares came out and when I booked in early Feb, they were up significantly, and yup, they just kept rising right through Dec.

 

[myzel]

We found the best rates for Dec. last year were out in April, flying out of Bangor.

 

[dcessford]

Was looking at flying out around the 16th and coming back on the 27th.So leaving before peak season.

 

[joech]

I booked last Feb for our 2012 christmas trip, Dec 22 to Jan 3 for 4 of us total cost was $2938 from United + check in luggage. Calgary to MCO (1 stop)

 

[tgropp]

I am in the same boat about airfares for next year. I have enough airmile for 7of us but I still have to pay approx $250.00/person taxes etc so I am watching for flights and try and save my my miles. I have had my eye on AirCanada flights from Dec 19'th through the 29'th flying from Toronto to Orlando. I am seeing the cost at $440.00/person but when I punch in 7 people the cost goes up to $800.00/person. My travel agent is currently looking into booking them separately or contacting A/C to see if they can do it with all 7 people.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I'm onboard for Dec 2013 also. We will need to fly the evening of the 24th so my options won't be that great but we have discussed it and will just have to suck it up and pay whatever the fare is to get on a flight at the right time. We are not totally sure where we are going but at the moment we have decided that as long as we can get to FL that night we can drive anyplace we want to go after that.

My preferred trip would be an all inclusive on an island somewhere but I think we can go to FL for a LOT less money.

 

[dcessford]

thanks for the heads up about AC having flights up.Switched my dates by a day to make it cheaper and got a price of $556 per person out of Halifax.So so far not too bad.

 

[dis_guy]

thanks for the heads up about AC having flights up.Switched my dates by a day to make it cheaper and got a price of $556 per person out of Halifax.So so far not too bad.

Fir those dates, that's a pretty good price! Congrats! And have a great trip!