? for Sheryl or Beverly

[Roxie A]

I've watched the fares from CLT to MIA or FLL (on USAir) for months now and they always are the same but I noticed today that the rates had gone up $10. That doesn't concern me much but the flights Im buying are for around Christmas. Do you think they will change and should I purchase them now? I have thought about using Priceline but don't think it's the best idea for this particular trip. Any help is appreciated.

 

[TravelSheryl]

I think it depends on the days of the week you are travelling. Those are very popular cruise destinations at that time of the year. If your return is on a Sunday or a Monday, it's unlikely the fares will be any lower than they are now. I know Sundays and Mondays are popular days to return from cruises, but I'm not sure about Saturdays.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

fares up to the 15th of dec will be coming out sometime around sep. fares after the 15th of dec will come later in the fall. the closer it is to christmas the closer to nov the fares will come out. and then flights for after the 15th of dec also book 340 days out. this starts the xmas tvl season. I would avoid priceline because you have no control over the time you will get. unless you get an extra day on either end. you can buy now and then when the price goes down get the refund voucher. typically the lowest fare days are tues/wed/thurs in either direction. mon/fri are high days due to business travel and the weekends are high for the weekenders.

 

[travelcoupons]

If you are booking around Christmas, I'd use the following as a guideline. Christmas falls in midweek this year, so days which are normally not as busy (WED), will be this year as DEC 26, the day after Christmas falls on a WED. Weekend fares around Christmas are always normally high and flights fill up earlier for weekend flights during the holidays.

The following days (around the holidays) you should purchase early as they will be heavy travel days, (thus higher fares the closer you get):

Dec. 21, 22,23,26,28,29,30



Lower fares should be available later for:

Dec. 24,25,27