First time trip planer with lots of questions!!!

[Draggy]

Ok so my first question is... I live in ottawa ontario canada. What is the best price I can get on air fair to MCO? I keep getting different amounts? Some are all over the map? $800 up to $2200???

We are a family of 4. Myself, DH and 2 kids. 14 and 5 at the time of our trip.

we are looking to go Aug 2012. I am trying to get a ball park idea by using Aug 2011 dates. We are looking Aug 18-28 but are flexible.

 

[minnie mum]

Welcome to the joys of purchasing flights. yep. All over the place. Up and down even on the same airline. Even on the same day. More ups and downs that Space Mountain.

But you really need to relax. you've got a year. Not gonna snag a West Jet or Air Canada deal this far out. Can't even try to predict what airfares will be a year from now. Seriously.

All you can do for now is periodically check all your possible airlines for prices and discount promotions. And you might want to check out the possibility of driving down to Syracuse and flying from there (Jet Blue). Before too long you'll get an idea of the price ranges and will know what's a good deal or not. Don't be in a rush and 'pull the trigger' too soon.

As a rule of thumb, unless I'm travelling at a peak holiday time (Thanksgiving, Christmas) I usually make my airline reservations 2-3months in advance. If you find what looks like a great deal a little before that, then go for it.

ETA: My daughter flew to MCO from Syracuse on Jet Blue for around $200. RETURN!. Now THAT's a seat sale. They drove down the night before from Ottawa and spent the night at a hotel where they could leave the car for a week. Then had a shuttle to the airport the next morning.