For holiday travel, how far in advance should I book Air??

[louise1928]

We are traveling to Orlando in December (around the 28th), should I book now, or wait a few months. Folks at Fodors.com suggested that we wait a few months, but I am nervous about seats selling out. Please advise..............

PS I do remember when we travel to Orlando in 2001, we purchased our tickets in May of that year, and got a good deal, but I am not sure if we should wait.....



Thanks

 

[nuthut]

If you find a good price, I would buy now. The prices go up as the planes fill up. You can always get a credit if the price drops. I have already purchased my 13 tickets for the non stop NWA Dec. 26, 2004-Jan 2, 2005 (GRR-MCO) at $269.

 

[louise1928]

So far I have a courtesy hold on a flight with Delta, for $227.00 roundtrip, connecting flights both ways... I wanted nonstop, but so far no luck...... (phila-orlando)

 

[poohbear2]

I would as soon as you can. For Easter time last year, I booked almost a year in advance per advice from my friend who was a travel agent. Sure enough, prices went up quickly and stayed up. I was thinking of going for Christmas vacation last year and had watched the airfares/seats. They were sold out pretty quickly for the two weeks surrounding Christmas and New Years

 

[jjskribs]

We are leaving from Boston on Dec. 27 and returning on Jan. 1. I booked my flight almost as soon as the dates opened. I am paying $244.00 for non stop flights on Song. The price has now risen to $324.00 for the same flights and the seats are beginning to fill up. I didn't really have any flexibility with my dates so I was afraid to wait. I hate the airfare "game" so when I found a price that I thought was reasonable I booked it. I always fly during school vacations so I am used to paying higher fares. I think $227.00 soounds like a good fare.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

I booked our Dec 24-Jan 2 flights at the 330 day mark with US AIR. We got non-stop, with good times, for Pittsburgh to West Palm Beach for $237 for the 3 of us.

 

[CarolA]

So far I have a courtesy hold on a flight with Delta, for $227.00 roundtrip

Just a warning... in most cases a courtesy hold only holds the SEAT not the airfare. If the lower price airfares sell out while you are holding you will get bumped up to the next lowest fare.

 

[louise1928]

Thanks everyone for your replies

I booked the Air with Expedia yesterday. After scouting the different websites, including the airlines, I settled on Expedia price of $210.00pp (including tax and fees)....I got a nonstop flight with United from Philly and a connecting flight on the return with Delta.

I thought that was pretty good considering the time frame (Dec 28th - Jan 1st), and with the times I chose, it will allow for us to spend a decent amount of time at the Parks, as we plan to spend a day at Epcot. (11am outbound and 7pm return)...

Has anyone else here booked with Expedia??? This was my first time using them for airline tickets, I have used them for hotels with no problems.


Thanks again

Now I am excited

 

[shelly3girls]

We booked through Expedia once for airline tickets and will never do it again. We booked UA and needed to change our flights by a day. If I had booked through UA I would have been charged a fee and the difference in cost of the flight (which was actually nothing). Through Expedia I could only change my flight if I upgraded to the next level of service which would have cost us an additional $1000! We were stuck with our origianal times. It wasn't worth saving the little we did. Although it does look like you saved a lot through Expedia given the holiday time so it is probably worth it if you are set on travel time.
We booked USAir non-stop for 1/1 - 1/10 for $175/person. We booked the day the return flight was available. I cannot imagine the fares going any lower. I believe that the best deals out of Phily are when the rates are first released. This may change with Southwest starting in May!

 

[disneyfreak2127]

I booked mid-January for Thanksgiving 2004. Travel dates are November 20-26. Booked on ATA website for $222.00/person. Total of 6 people flying. Non-stop flights from Indianapolis with the exact flight times to maximize the vacation.

I decided that I couldn't stand the waiting game and just went ahead and booked. I imagine that there could be a chance of a cheaper airfare come up, but maybe not at the appropriate dates or times.

It's always a guessing game, isn't it?

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

If prices drop, some airlines will reticket your itinerary at the lower rate, and charge a minimal fee ($25 on Northwest, I believe), but if the price drops by more than $25, then it's worth it.

You do have to tell them that you already have a reservation, and that the price is lower, make sure they know you're not trying to change your existing reservation. (change fees are a bit higher, usually around $100, but the re-ticketing should happen at the lower price)