Delta website question for the experts...

[danjulia]

Does anyone know when Delta loads in the flights for a particular date on the 331 days out. Is it midnight?

I'm looking to get up in the middle of the night on the day my Pres week 2007 flights become available and need to know what time to set my alarm for??

Thanks in advance!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't know for sure, but midnight wouldn't surprise me.
On the other hand, as popular as Presidents Week is for vacations, I truly don't think waiting until 7 AM or whatever time you normally wake up is going to make any difference. The plane will not sell out in those few hours, and the fares won't change.

 

[debster812]

I don't know for sure, but midnight wouldn't surprise me.
On the other hand, as popular as Presidents Week is for vacations, I truly don't think waiting until 7 AM or whatever time you normally wake up is going to make any difference. The plane will not sell out in those few hours, and the fares won't change.

Respectfully disagree with this. I purchased our outbound leg at midnight the night (morning?) it became available. In the time it took me to enter all our info and FF numbers, the fare went up by $10 and I had to start over. So while the fares are not changing, per se, the lowest fares do go quickly.

Also, if you are trying to buy a ticket with Skymiles, those go SUPER fast, so you do need to be on the phone, right at midnight.

I tried buying our ticket to come home last night, and out of the gate it was over $300 for a one way, non stop, so now I'll be playing the check every day game, and waiting on JetBlue and Southwest.

 

[danjulia]

Well, midnight it is...thanks debster812!!

 

[emmabelle]

Are you looking for President's week (Feb) or Patriots week (April)? Aren't the dates already available for the Feb week?

 

[danjulia]

Dates aren't complete yet for Pres week - it's only out through a Thur/Fri return depending on the airline/website

 

[emmabelle]

I checked and they are booking through Feb 23, 2007, so I don't know if it would make sense to book your departure separately from your return. I did that with Song this past March and was able to snag cheap flights. Delta does have a cancellation policy that you can book flights and then think about it for 24 hours and cancel without any penalty. I would be concerned that the flights would go up once both segments could be booked, I swear Delta does stuff like that.

 

[Alexander]

Booking two one-way flights with Delta will cost more than booking a round-trip. Keep in mind that while booking so far out, the flight times will most likely change dramatically. I booked 11 months out for our upcoming April trip and we had over 12 changes to our flights. Just don't get your heart set on a particular flight, time, or seat. You are actually booking a projected flight, not an actual scheduled one.

 

[emmabelle]

Booking two one-way flights with Delta will cost more than booking a round-trip. Keep in mind that while booking so far out, the flight times will most likely change dramatically. I booked 11 months out for our upcoming April trip and we had over 12 changes to our flights. Just don't get your heart set on a particular flight, time, or seat. You are actually booking a projected flight, not an actual scheduled one.

I actually disagree with you, partially. I went and priced Feb 17-23, 2007 (BOS to MCO) first as two one ways flights and then as a round trip and I got exactly the same price, $283.20. I chose the cheapest flights both times and I was given exactly the same flights. I do agree that the flights will probably change a bunch of times, but I'm just trying to buy a seat on a plane not a particular time when I purchase that far ahead.

 

[debster812]

I actually disagree with you, partially. I went and priced Feb 17-23, 2007 (BOS to MCO) first as two one ways flights and then as a round trip and I got exactly the same price, $283.20. I chose the cheapest flights both times and I was given exactly the same flights. I do agree that the flights will probably change a bunch of times, but I'm just trying to buy a seat on a plane not a particular time when I purchase that far ahead.

I agree with this. By booking this far out, I'm just locking in a seat, on a plane, from BOS to RSW next February 14th. We go and spend 10 days with my parents, so the timing is not super critical for us either.

I'm just holding out hope that the return flight will come down a little in price. It was $500 for a ONE WAY. I did not buy yet.

 

[Jillpie]

I don't know for sure, but midnight wouldn't surprise me.
On the other hand, as popular as Presidents Week is for vacations, I truly don't think waiting until 7 AM or whatever time you normally wake up is going to make any difference. The plane will not sell out in those few hours, and the fares won't change.

I completely disagree with this as well. When it comes to school vacations, 331 days in advance is a must. I always get on the phone at midnight (have better luck than online) and try to get the first US representative, preferably an EST one, because the pacific coast does not have the flights available to them yet. I have called at midnight and 10 minutes later, the low fares are gone. So start at about 11:55 pm to get through. As a tip when calling Delta, to bypass the ridiculous automated choices they give you on the phone, just press 0 twice and you'll get a human right away. I book one ways on Song all the time and get the lowest fares this way. Good luck, let us know how you do!