Flight Help

[Frozen2014]

Are there any sites that show you historical pricing? Or any advice? I'm having a hard time of knowing when to jump on flights and what option to do. We are a family of 4 and have a cruise booked last week in August from a Mon-Fri (we are in Toronto and cruise is from Miami..but looking MIA or FLL). I've been watching flights the past month and we have the following options:

• Fly direct from Toronto on the Sunday...today's cheapest cost is $1800 but general pricing I've been seeing has been closer to $2200 CAD
• Fly direct from Buffalo on the Sunday...if early flight, then we would drive in on Saturday and stay overnight. Cost is around $1700 CAD
• Fly direct from Detroit on the Sunday...we would drive in on Saturday and stay overnight. Cost is around $1000 CAD

I guess timing is all as last week a direct flight popped up from Toronto (and perfect flight times too) for $1500 (this is the flight that is showing today as $1800). Only thing is my husband is out of work right now (but he's close to an offer) so we couldn't jump on it as he would need to confirm he can get time off with any new job.

Do we jump on the Detroit option (once work situation is confirmed)? I did see it jump up to $1200, but it seems back down again to just under $1000 the past couple days. It'll be more of an inconvenience but a good savings - although need to account for gas and hotel (especially as with the others, that makes our flight close to same price as our cruise).

Or do great deals sometimes pop up out of the blue on flights from Toronto (such as that one from last week that we weren't ready to book). We have from now until end of August (and until June to even confirm we are keeping the cruise). If we're talking a difference of $500, then I"m not sure the inconvenience of driving to Detroit is worth it.

Are there any historical sites that show last year's pricing to get an idea?

This is all just such a gamble and we were looking for a 'cheap' mini vacation before our kids return to school. I know there are no guarantees but interested in what others would do.

 

[Sue M]

I don’t know of any sites with historical fares, but don’t know even if such a thing existed it would be much help.
I have flown to FLL many years, and I just keep watching. But I fly 99% of the time on Alaska. Their fares don’t seem to jump as much or go up & down as much as the other airlines. It’s ususlly cheaper flying mid week.

 

[Happy2BGoofy]

I as the pp said I don't know of any historical flight price data either although I am sure there might be one, just don't know of any.

I usually use the Skyscanner app. You can look at flight prices and see which ones are cheaper. Other people also use Google to watch flight costs.

I too live outside of Toronto and more times than often I have flown out of Buffalo into Orlando. Cheaper to flight out of this airport than Toronto since it becomes an international flight while flying out of Buffalo is domestic giving you the advantage to get good deals. We usually flight JetBlue but I hear great reviews for Southwest as well. You're probably aware of this but they say that booking on a Tuesday and about three months before your departure date is the best time to book your flights at more reasonable cost.

My family traveled to WDW in October 2016. We bought the flights with JetBlue the moment they got released at a reasonable price (about 9 months) and yet my brother who added himself to our trip at the last minute managed to get a direct flight back and forth for a lot less from Toronto!!!

The reality of things is that there isn't a real answer to this conundrum. However, I always recommend buying your flights when you think you have found a great deal that YOUR family can afford. I can tell you that a $300 USD flight is the best deal for me while another person can tell you that a $400 USD flight is the best deal. It all depends on your wallet.

EDITED TO ADD: Miami and Fort Lauderdale flights are cheaper than Orlando for obvious reasons.

 

[mort1331]

look at FrontierAir as well, no frills, but good service the time we took it.

 

[starvenger]

I actually just booked last Saturday for YYZ-FLL for that time for our cruise on the Allure. Price would normally be around $2600 but with companion passes it was about $1800 before applying our Westjet dollars.

I actually priced it again when they had the 22% sale but we had booked on the lowest tier and it was no longer available, resulting in the price being... around $2600. Must have been a popular time to go.

I guess timing is all as last week a direct flight popped up from Toronto (and perfect flight times too) for $1500 (this is the flight that is showing today as $1800). Only thing is my husband is out of work right now (but he's close to an offer) so we couldn't jump on it as he would need to confirm he can get time off with any new job.

I think that if you can live with $1800 for four then go for it. Shame about missing the $1500 flight.

I'm in the same boat as your husband, job-wise, but we basically knew our vacation schedule around July of last year so I tell them up front as part of the "salary expectations".

 

[Frozen2014]

I as the pp said I don't know of any historical flight price data either although I am sure there might be one, just don't know of any.

I usually use the Skyscanner app. You can look at flight prices and see which ones are cheaper. Other people also use Google to watch flight costs.

I too live outside of Toronto and more times than often I have flown out of Buffalo into Orlando. Cheaper to flight out of this airport than Toronto since it becomes an international flight while flying out of Buffalo is domestic giving you the advantage to get good deals. We usually flight JetBlue but I hear great reviews for Southwest as well. You're probably aware of this but they say that booking on a Tuesday and about three months before your departure date is the best time to book your flights at more reasonable cost.

My family traveled to WDW in October 2016. We bought the flights with JetBlue the moment they got released at a reasonable price (about 9 months) and yet my brother who added himself to our trip at the last minute managed to get a direct flight back and forth for a lot less from Toronto!!!

The reality of things is that there isn't a real answer to this conundrum. However, I always recommend buying your flights when you think you have found a great deal that YOUR family can afford. I can tell you that a $300 USD flight is the best deal for me while another person can tell you that a $400 USD flight is the best deal. It all depends on your wallet.

EDITED TO ADD: Miami and Fort Lauderdale flights are cheaper than Orlando for obvious reasons.

Thanks for the reply. I keep hearing how Buffalo is cheaper but when checking from above, it's about $500 cheaper...but then you add the gas, hotel pre-night and meals (and possibly post-night hotel)...the difference is less. So for our costs, need to decide if its worth it. Do you stay overnight in Buffalo pre and post cruise? Have been watching JetBlue and Southwest. For us, since it's a Mon - Fri cruise, we can't fly the Tues (and even Mon is risky) so we're stuck on the days of the week. For a Disney trip though, that' something to consider.

Yes, the scenario with your brother is what I'm trying to figure out...but of course, no one knows as it's all so unpredictable!

 

[Frozen2014]

I actually just booked last Saturday for YYZ-FLL for that time for our cruise on the Allure. Price would normally be around $2600 but with companion passes it was about $1800 before applying our Westjet dollars.

I actually priced it again when they had the 22% sale but we had booked on the lowest tier and it was no longer available, resulting in the price being... around $2600. Must have been a popular time to go.


I think that if you can live with $1800 for four then go for it. Shame about missing the $1500 flight.

I'm in the same boat as your husband, job-wise, but we basically knew our vacation schedule around July of last year so I tell them up front as part of the "salary expectations".

Thank you. Glad you got the WestJet flights. The $1800 is still pretty good.

For us, our "big cruise" is next March on Symphony (March break so those flights will be $$$). The one in my post is end of the summer where we are squeezing in a mini trip...plus we also have a big family event next month for our son so we're watching our dollars...and my husbands job situation. So, for the flights above, we're trying to be really reasonable and hoping our flight will be less than the cruise or we may not end up going.

On a separate note, I love the Allure. Are you nervous at all for cruising end of August? That's another variable for us am a bit worried of hitting bad weather.

 

[starvenger]

This will be our third cruise at end of August. Weather was rainy in FLL last year but that was about it. We actually had worse weather on our one Disney Cruise in Oct 2015.

For dollar stretching don’t dismiss driving down. Yes, there’s the time factor and wear on your car but it probably won’t add up to $1800 in costs.

 

[Frozen2014]

This will be our third cruise at end of August. Weather was rainy in FLL last year but that was about it. We actually had worse weather on our one Disney Cruise in Oct 2015.

For dollar stretching don’t dismiss driving down. Yes, there’s the time factor and wear on your car but it probably won’t add up to $1800 in costs.

Great. Sounds like you've been ok. Fingers crossed for this year too. Our cruise is only 4 day Bahamas cruise but hopefully the same.

I have a bad back and so couldn't handle the drive to Florida (can't sit that long), but I would consider the Detroit option for a 4-5 hr drive the night before.

 

[Happy2BGoofy]

Thanks for the reply. I keep hearing how Buffalo is cheaper but when checking from above, it's about $500 cheaper...but then you add the gas, hotel pre-night and meals (and possibly post-night hotel)...the difference is less. So for our costs, need to decide if its worth it. Do you stay overnight in Buffalo pre and post cruise? Have been watching JetBlue and Southwest. For us, since it's a Mon - Fri cruise, we can't fly the Tues (and even Mon is risky) so we're stuck on the days of the week. For a Disney trip though, that' something to consider.

Yes, the scenario with your brother is what I'm trying to figure out...but of course, no one knows as it's all so unpredictable!

I am used to driving (it plays a big part in my job) so we don't stay either pre or post in Buffalo. We only stay the night in Orlando or WDW before our Cruise. I drive middle of the morning (which makes it a lot easier to go through customs at the border since there isn't a soul at that time of the morning lol) and when we come back I drive back home. We just live north of Toronto so it is usually about a 2 to 2 1/2 hours drive. I try to book flights out of Buffalo around the 8 - 8:30 am mark so we leave the house around 4 am.

Full disclosure though, it is only us adults when we do this.

 

[Frozen2014]

I am used to driving (it plays a big part in my job) so we don't stay either pre or post in Buffalo. We only stay the night in Orlando or WDW before our Cruise. I drive middle of the morning (which makes it a lot easier to go through customs at the border since there isn't a soul at that time of the morning lol) and when we come back I drive back home. We just live north of Toronto so it is usually about a 2 to 2 1/2 hours drive. I try to book flights out of Buffalo around the 8 - 8:30 am mark so we leave the house around 4 am.

Full disclosure though, it is only us adults when we do this.

We probably are coming from similar area. That's impressive to leave at 4am and make it for 8:30am flight. Definitely helps though if you can skip the additional hotels.

P.S. - Looks like the Detroit flights in my original post have gone up again. Drat.

 

[Happy2BGoofy]

We probably are coming from similar area. That's impressive to leave at 4am and make it for 8:30am flight. Definitely helps though if you can skip the additional hotels.

P.S. - Looks like the Detroit flights in my original post have gone up again. Drat.

Don't know what airlines you're looking at or what days you are flying in and out but also check Air Transat. I'm tracking a flight for November (no Southwest or JetBlue flights released yet) on Air Transat. Right now is $449 in total for one person including 1 luggage and assigned seat. Also when searching flights, always clear the cache on your browser and use an incognito window. Websites track your IP and know if you have already been checking a particular flight and will always give you a higher cost flight.

Good luck

 

[Frozen2014]

Don't know what airlines you're looking at or what days you are flying in and out but also check Air Transat. I'm tracking a flight for November (no Southwest or JetBlue flights released yet) on Air Transat. Right now is $449 in total for one person including 1 luggage and assigned seat. Also when searching flights, always clear the cache on your browser and use an incognito window. Websites track your IP and know if you have already been checking a particular flight and will always give you a higher cost flight.

Good luck

The only problem with Air Transat is that they only fly on specific days. I just checked for our dates and it's only Saturday. We did fly them before though and they were comfortable (and we had no issues with flights).

Does FlightHub use cookies too? Or is that only if you go to the airline and other sites like Expedia?

 

[Happy2BGoofy]

The only problem with Air Transat is that they only fly on specific days. I just checked for our dates and it's only Saturday. We did fly them before though and they were comfortable (and we had no issues with flights).

Does FlightHub use cookies too? Or is that only if you go to the airline and other sites like Expedia?

All airlines do.