For Beverly or anyone-Question about Thanksgiving travel?

[pnelson]

I am planning and reading way in advance for my Nov-Dec 2002 trip. I'm seeing what people are doing this year so I can know what I need to do for next year. We are planning on flying out Thanksgiving night 2002 arriving in Orlando Friday morning. Since flying redeye on Thursday is after the Thanksgiving rush, do I still need to book airfare 330 days out or can I wait a while for sales? I think Delta has the best connections since there are no direct from my area of California. What do you think? If I need to book 330 days out, I will need to book in December of this year. Also, I'm not really flexible as to airport or travel dates, so I'm wondering if it's even worth it to wait for sales!???

 

[TravelSheryl]

Personally, I think it's too early to even consider when the best time to purchase for domestic travel nearly 18 months from now the way the airline industry is. Any decision you were to make now could prove to be unwise in this market. Regardless, you never have to buy the first day the tickets go on sale. I wouldn't even really think about it until January.

You can only purchase up to 330 days in advance of the latest travel date of your itinerary, so if your return date is in December 2002, you won't be able to purchase before January 2002.

 

[Uncle Mikey]

Actually, there is one non-stop from SFO to MCO. That is a United flight that leaves at around 2:00pm and arrives at around 10:00pm. We have never taken it due to the late arrival time. I prefer taking the United shuttle out of Oakland that leaves around 8:00pm, gets into LAX around 9:30 and then you take flight 92 that leaves around 10:30pm and arrives at MCO around 6:00am. We have taken Delta and Continental redeyes out of SFO that also worked out well but I don't like going to SFO if I can avoid it. I hope this helps. See you on Highway 4.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

if your travel is anywhere between the sat before thanksgiving to the sun/mon after those tkts sell the day they come available for booking. on usair it is 340 days out. for some carriers its 330 days out. and the minute it hits midnight of those days those people are on the phones calling in to reserve that outbound flight then the pseudo return flight is put in until that day gets there. you are not wrong for wanting to book that early for your trip. many many people do it. some people even get a "gift certificate" for that time frame and then the day the flight is allowed to be booked its booked! (the gift certificates are for a dollar amount) the sunday after thanksgiving is the single most heavily traveled day of the year. you are wise to get your tkts bought and reserved early, then when the sale comes out get the refund voucher for the difference!

 

[pnelson]

Thanks, Beverly, I was thinking I would have to book early.