EEK!! My flight is almost sold out, what to do?

[Luv2Travel]

The flight I want from ATL to MCO is 80% booked! Should I still hold out for a lower rate, or buy now? I'm departing from HSV, AL with a stop in ATL. The current fare is $166.40, which sounds high compared to all of the fares coming from the Northeast, but could be a good price flying out of a smaller airport. I can either book this flight and get to Orlando by 11:30, or I can drag my family out of bed at 4:30 in the morning and take an earlier flight and get there by 10:15. I'm not sure they'd go for that. The other flight from ATL to MCO would get me there around 1 or 1:30, but it's just as booked, if not more. Any suggestions out there? What would you do? Thanks for any advice.

P.S. I'm looking at Delta, because we have FFP with them, and they currently have the lowest rate. My other alternatives are Northwest or USAir.

 

[GoldenOldie]

The main reason why the prices from the Northeast corridor are so low is competition. Delta, USAir and Southwest are the major players here with no one airline dominant. But Atlanta doesn't have that kind of competition. Delta literally owns Atlanta. No other carrier will go in there trying to undercut them because Delta has the volume of flights and the gate assignments that would kill them. You are basically at Delta's mercy here.

In your case, I would opt for the flights I wanted now especially if you think they are priced reasonably. You can always get a voucher if the fare goes down in the meantime. That's a good excuse for a return trip.

 

[Luv2Travel]

Thanks for the advice GoldenOldie. I like the way you think - about having an excuse to go back if the rates drop and I can get vouchers. I think I will go ahead a take the plunge. This flight appears to be the best one to fit our schedule.