Heads up - book good airfare when you find it!!

[Nik's Mom]

Bicker,
My flights are totally open, only a couple of seats taken, and the fares keep going up, up, up. There must be a method to that madness. I'm holding out for a price less than what they are offering, but they have the exact times that I want to fly, darn them!

 

[DisMN]

Airfare isn't really as erratic as it seems sometimes: Typically, airlines have set inventories for individual discount fare classes (B, C, G, H, K, L, M, N, Q, S, V, W for American Airlines, for example). The low low fare you see may only be for a couple of slots on the flight. After those fares are purchased, the next-lowest fare typically is what you'll see presented.

I still don't get it. Why one hour can the flights be 350$, the next hour they drop them down to 150$ and 10 hours later they're back up to over 300$?? Will they wait a few more weeks and let out a few more low price seats then jack 'em back up again?

Seems quite erratic to me!

 

[bicker]

That's an unusual circumstance, Nik's Mom. Some of the smaller airlines, perhaps, don't have their act together yet.

 

[Nik's Mom]

That's an unusual circumstance, Nik's Mom. Some of the smaller airlines, perhaps, don't have their act together yet.

It's actually American Airlines. Their rates are about $45-50 higher than Delta and United for the same destination and date. Who knows what's going on. I really hate to fly Delt because they change their schedules, but I refuse to pay what American is asking.

Maybe once the smaller airlines come out with their rates, American will drop their price.

 

[bicker]

Yeah, on most of AA's flights, the fares are pretty stable. Which airport are you flying from?

I wouldn't avoid Delta because of schedule changes: UA and AA are just as likely to mess you up now that the reincorporation of Song has been completed.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hi Bicker.
I'm flying out of LAX. Delta fares are $407 right now, but the flight to Florida is late (10am). I was hoping for something like an 8am flight, but beggers can't be choosers.

 

[bicker]

Interesting. AA should be very competitive with Delta out of LAX. Actually, I'm finding UA to be the lowest, right now, at $341 (for my dates -- I don't know yours). American is $366 and Delta is $351, so they're all in the same ballpark.

Wait, you said the minor airlines fares aren't out yet, so you've got to be talking about next Spring... lemme check that....

Yeah, now we're getting into Spring Break time, maybe... Fares are definitely higher. AA is running $411, UA is $497, but DL is still $351. Maybe the issue is that Delta is trying to win back passengers, after jerking us all around so much last year?

 

[Nik's Mom]

My dates are Memorial weekend through the first week in June. Delta and United are at $407 rt, and American is at $463. So should I go with Delta or United. Flight times are both the same. I'm not sure who has the better record for being on time. Thanks for all of the great tips, Bicker.

 

[pppiglet]

Nik'smom....try doing one way on Delta and American. I got American cheaper that way. I got a 1:11pm flight back that was the time we wanted and cheaper.

 

[lisaanddenny]

i booked in july for 177pp roundtrip from pittsburgh, airfare now is 53pp each way. last year we flew for 146pp roundtrip from pittsburgh.

 

[lisaanddenny]

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[Nik's Mom]

Nik'smom....try doing one way on Delta and American. I got American cheaper that way. I got a 1:11pm flight back that was the time we wanted and cheaper.

You have the flight I want. I'll have to try that and see if it comes out better. Thanks!

 

[leagilly]

I have to agree, buy as soon as you see a rate you can be happy with. I thought of waiting for Jet Blue for spring break (really love those TV'S).
In talking with the family, we decided to bring our own movies and entertainment and book with Delta for $257.00 round trip per person.
We are so glad we did, as the price with great times and non stop has not dropped in price.

That happened to us as well. I booked well in advance and got 177 pp, nonstop with delta and now the same flight is flying at $569pp, nonstop. The only thing thats stinky is that the flight times have changed a few times.

 

[bicker]

I'm finding American at $411 for that time period (and United at $371, and Delta STILL at $351). Maybe it's just a matter of which website you check. I use kayak.com. I find that they tend to be able to lead me to lower fares on the airline's own website than I can find on there myself.

 

[mygyky]

I'm in NH too and looking to possibly fly SWA out of MHT in Feb/Mar. How did you know when SWA released the next batch of dates? I know I will have to be on the computer that day with credit card in hand and ready to buy but not sure what the quickest way to come by that info is. I have read the boards here with the historical dates when SWA opened the schedule for Feb and I am assuming mid-September but I'm thinking I may hear about it an hour or two after the fact and the good fares will be gone. I am thinking I will have to keep checking every hour or so every day but hoping there was a better way. Thanks!

I got a DING from Southwest that the new schedule had been released. I was also watching the boards and knew it would be coming soon. I went right away and found the fares and schedule I wanted. I had checked prior to this and knew what flights I wanted, times, dates, etc. So I was ready. As soon as they were released I went and bought for the 3 of us. No sooner had I pressed purchase and gone back, my return flights were "unavailable" for the internet fare. I was excited. Since then the trip down has also become "unavailable". Prices are up over $300 for the same flights. Good luck. Keep checking and sign up for DING.

I think you would like Southwest out of Manchester. They have some direct nonstop flights and the prices are usually really good. I don't think any other carrier will take you direct from MHT to MCO. I would wait it out and as soon as they are released jump on them. Plus the airport is so much better to get in and out and around than Logan. Worth it to us.

 

[HolliePoppins]

JESW,
You definitely timed it right! Jet Blue had a 3 day sale this week and you booked your tickets during the sale. Excellent timing & have a great trip!

Yes but the jetblue sale was only for travel through november so I would say it was the day change. I was on the sale site several times a day so I know it was only till november. We got a credit of $420 for our sept flight Another trip somewhere.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We just discovered that we had enough frequent flyer miles for 2 rt tickets on United. Not exactly our ideal time to fly, but we'll deal with it. I just had to pay for 2 tickets out of pocket, but that was $814.22. Much better than the nearly $1900 we would have paid on American with our perfect flight times. I'm just glad we reserved. Now I can stop obsessing over flight prices.