Feb 2008 - airfare availability

[drewc]

When are flights generally available for booking in February (looking to 2008)? When is the "best" time to book those flights? I'm thinking President's week next year.

Thanks!

 

[dopeyfanatic]

Some of the legacy carriers release dates as far as 330 days out. Other airlines like SW or Airtran release only a few months out. Good luck!

 

[bicker]

Basically all the legacy carriers release forecasted flight scheduled available for reservations 330 days prior: American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines, US Airways, United Airlines.

 

[CarolA]

This week is the ONLY week I have ever suggested you book the MINUTE fares are released. They seem to only go up!

 

[debster812]

This week is the ONLY week I have ever suggested you book the MINUTE fares are released. They seem to only go up!

ITA with Carol on this. We fly BOS to RSW (Ft Myers) every February, usually leaving the Tues or Weds before President's Day weekend. I am generally booking the DAY the flights are available on Delta.

In fact, we are planning on flying Tuesday Feb 12th of 2008, and I know
I'll be on delta.com on March 18th to buy our outbound tickets.

My cousin has had some luck playing the waiting game, but there have also been years that she has paid nearly $500 a ticket as well.

 

[Befferk]

I am going in Feb '08 as well. We are planning on the 9th through the 19th. I have already checked NWA (at $268 pp right now). My other option, that isn't available yet, is Sun Country.

Beth

 

[Befferk]

This week is the ONLY week I have ever suggested you book the MINUTE fares are released. They seem to only go up!

So for my dates (flying to MCO on the 9th and back out on the 19th) I should book ASAP as well?

Beth

 

[dougsmom98]

I started watching them as soon as they came out and checked at least 2-3 times each day. I finally found the flights that I wanted, out of the airport that I wanted on July 9th. I think I could have gotten cheaper flights earlier, but I was really holding out for a closer airport. Within minutes of booking our flights, the flight price went up and never came back down from what I could see. Most of the other teachers I work with paid double what I paid because they waited until fall to start looking.

 

[Brian Noble]

P-Week flights should be booked as soon as you see a price you are willing to pay. Don't be too agressive. Northwest's window is 352 days, and already open for P-Week with a Saturday return. The Sunday return opens tomorrow.

 

[Befferk]

This week is the ONLY week I have ever suggested you book the MINUTE fares are released. They seem to only go up!

Does this apply no matter where we are flying from? We are flying out of Minneapolis. I don't have a problem buying now, as a matter of fact if I use my Discover card to buy them I can get 5% cash back until the end of March

Beth

 

[debster812]

Does this apply no matter where we are flying from? We are flying out of Minneapolis. I don't have a problem buying now, as a matter of fact if I use my Discover card to buy them I can get 5% cash back until the end of March

I don't know about the rest of the country, but here in the NorthEast President's Week is also many states' winter vacation. (we get a week at Christmas, a week in Feb, and a week in April). So it's a MUST buy early for me, if we want to get affordable flights for vacation. The outbound flights are generally very reasonable, coming home is usually much more expensive.

I booked our outbound flight (BOS to MCO) on February 12, 2008 at midnight on Saturday the 17th. $99 for the one way. I've paid less in the past, and I've paid MUCH MUCH more. I'm looking to fly home either the 22nd or 23rd, so I have about another week before I start looking at those flights.

Now, for the same flight I booked, but flying a day later, is $269 for the one way.

This is on Delta.

 

[Befferk]

Wow, I checked Delta, and for one-way (my return date hasn't been released yet) is $179.80 w/fees (so I can assume over $350 for round trip), and this is with a layover . Roundtrip with NWA is $287 (with all fees) and that is a non-stop flight with great times. I will probably take it I guess. I am a flying newbie and am not experienced enough to play the airfare waiting game

Beth

 

[Maine-iac]

I don't know about the rest of the country, but here in the NorthEast President's Week is also many states' winter vacation. (we get a week at Christmas, a week in Feb, and a week in April). So it's a MUST buy early for me, if we want to get affordable flights for vacation. The outbound flights are generally very reasonable, coming home is usually much more expensive.

I booked our outbound flight (BOS to MCO) on February 12, 2008 at midnight on Saturday the 17th. $99 for the one way. I've paid less in the past, and I've paid MUCH MUCH more. I'm looking to fly home either the 22nd or 23rd, so I have about another week before I start looking at those flights.

Now, for the same flight I booked, but flying a day later, is $269 for the one way.

This is on Delta.

Debbie you are the second person to mention doing it this way. I always thought it was more expensive to purchase one way. We usually fly Delta and we do book about 9 months out. I will have to go to Delta and see what they have for one way from PWM.

 

[JennSaint]

In the past I usually wait until my roundtrip fares are available on Delta. The most I have paid is $217 roundtrip. But we usually fly out on Wednesday before President's day and return the Friday after. I think you need to be flexible with your travel days during this time period in order to get a decent fare.
Good luck everyone! I'm looking for the dates of February 13-22, 2008. So I'll be keeping a close eye out too!