Gettign the best price on airfare from the West Coast

[BeccaG]

What are your tips and tricks for getting a great airfare? When do you book (how far out)? Who has the best prices from the west coast? How do you get a good deal for busier times at the World like Christmas or Spring Break? I want to glean from your wisdom folks. Three years ago when I went for my honeymoon we paid $250 a ticket in July, but now I am trying to price out a trip for our extended family for next Christmas and it seems that the cheapest we can get is $350! I would love for some help! Thanks all!

 

[ACDSNY]

I think the trick is to be patient...

I start checking everyday around 4-6 months before our trip and wait for a sale. I check Expedia, Travelocity and the major airlines websites. So far I've been pretty lucky. Our tickets for next week on United were $220 RT.
I get sinus headaches when I fly so I'll only will go on flights with one stop from Sac to Orlando, non-stop are not available. I prefer using Continental through Houston, but we've used Delta and United too.

I normally take week long trips leaving on a Sat morning and returning on a Sat late afternoon or evening.

 

[TroyandDabs]

DH and I fly southwest for most of our flights. They usually price out to be the least expensive. What I have found that has worked out best for this trip we are about to take is that I book each leg (smf to mco / mco to smf) seperately. I watch daily for Ding fares and/or internet specials.

If a better fare (on SW) comes along, I open two internet windows. One ready to book the new rate, and the other ready to cancel the previous. You cancel, then go to the other window and apply the funds from the previously cancelled.

**However, if you previously booked non-refundable fares, SW will hold the money as a credit towards another flight. DH and I travel a lot and know that we'll use the credit for a quick trip somewhere. We are flying for $222.80 rt in just a couple of weeks. Since I booked the flights, I have saved 120.00 (holding as a credit for a future flight).

 

[ACDSNY]

DH and I fly southwest for most of our flights. They usually price out to be the least expensive. What I have found that has worked out best for this trip we are about to take is that I book each leg (smf to mco / mco to smf) seperately. I watch daily for Ding fares and/or internet specials.

I haven't use SW since most of the flights have two stops from SMF to MCO and you can't always tell where the second stop is. What route have you found that works for you?

 

[mom2kandj]

There is another thread from last week with how much people actually paid for different times of the year all along the West Coast.

(I would have posted the link, but I don't have enough posts! I'll bump it instead!)

FWIW, I'll pay $300 pp, but I'd rather wait and try to get it down to $250pp.

HTH!

Rose

 

[BeccaG]

Thanks mom! Anyone know any tricks for getting a decent price around the holidays? Is $350 the average price? Has Southwest offer "dings" for around Christmas in the past?