How early is too early to book a flight in advance?

[Brynne]

I was checking flights and found a rate I thought was great.
However, we aren't going until November.

Is it a huge risk to book a flight this early?
It's with United.

I'm just not sure whether to book a flight now or to wait a while. The last time we booked a flight for Dec, we didn't book until July.

Any advice?

 

[OKW Lover]

We usually book about 2 months out. But, if we see what we know is a really good price then we go ahead and book.

 

[zulaya]

I know what a good price is, in general, from my airport to MCO. I start watching flights as soon as I have confirmed my dates. If I see a flight time and price I can live with, I buy it.

I know for where I am, the non-stop schedule has been very consistent for years. If it changes, I'll deal with it. But I'm not worried about it.

 

[Microcell]

Just as soon as Southwest opens up the dates!

We did it about 4 months out and it has been the cheapest fare we have seen so far. If it is a great deal or something you can live with, I would do it sooner rather than later.

I only use Southwest so I have the luxury of changing for credits though.

 

[perkinsrose]

If you are financially secure and have the money set aside for the trip, I'd grab a good deal on flights.

I've purchased flights 8 months ahead of time.
This year I got a really good deal. $600 for a family of 4 on Northwest from Detroit great flight times/direct flight.

The only year it messed me up was one year they offered buy 4 get 3 free and we had planned on 5 nights. Change fees on the flight would have been $400 so we could only take advantage of getting 1 night free on the deal.

This year I gambled on Disney offering 4get3 again and bought airtickets accordingly. It worked out.

 

[n2mm]

I hate booking too early, but when you get a price that can't be beat, sometimes you have to go ahead and book it. I just booked 2 trips for the fall for Sept/Oct and for a flight for a cruise on Oct. 31 (just one way as the calendar hasn't openned past Oct. 31). Jetblue was offering non-stop flights for $59 for good timeframes, and since I fly JB alot, I know that that fare will not be lower (OK, $54 is the lowest I've ever seen them offer). So I was OK with booking them now. I haven't even booked my return home flight for May 7th yet. JB rarely changes their times and when they have, they have been extremely accommodating and helpful. However, I would never book that far out on Airtran as they have a terrible record of changing times and cancelling flights (esp. w/o telling me), though their reps were very nice about offering me a refund.

 

[Brynne]

Thanks for the replies.

I should have mentioned that I live 6 hours from a major airport, so I have to take a small commuter plane to a major airport. US Air and United are my only choices.

It would be great to have Southwest and other airlines to choose from.

The rate I found roundtrip for 3 is $700 including all fees except baggage, which I thought was really good considering I'm taking a commuter plane first. Even 2 years ago when I priced airfare, it was about $300 pp rt out of our little airport.

I think I'm going to take the chance and book it. The price is the same today as it was yesterday when I first checked. Our airport sends commuters out every day pretty much on schedule, so hopefully it will work out.

 

[perkinsrose]

Thanks for the replies.

I should have mentioned that I live 6 hours from a major airport, so I have to take a small commuter plane to a major airport. US Air and United are my only choices.

It would be great to have Southwest and other airlines to choose from.

The rate I found roundtrip for 3 is $700 including all fees except baggage, which I thought was really good considering I'm taking a commuter plane first. Even 2 years ago when I priced airfare, it was about $300 pp rt out of our little airport.

I think I'm going to take the chance and book it. The price is the same today as it was yesterday when I first checked. Our airport sends commuters out every day pretty much on schedule, so hopefully it will work out.

I heard once from a travel guru that Wednesdays are the cheapest days for prices on airline tickets. I have checked and found it to be often true. It may be worth checking yourself? I found Saturdays most expensive.

If you have a Discover card and sign up (for this special Cashback bonus program deal) on their website through your account, they are offering 5% cashback bonus on airline tickets and hotel now and for next couple months.

 

[huskies90]

I have a general question. I usually book air as late as possible because so many things always come up with my family. I have canceled more trips than I can count but I always just book the refundable stuff early and the air when we are positive we are going. Right now there is a great fare on AirTran $150 round trip non stop from White Plains for August which as it looks right now, may be the only time we can go for the next few years due to other activities during the summers and school vacations over the next couple of years.

So, I am thinking of booking the air and my question is about the cancelation fee which is $75. If I book and cancel, is the fee the whole RT ticket or each leg of the ticket? And if you cancel when do you pay the $75? Immediately or when you re-book (if you re-book)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you buy a RT ticket, the cancellation fee covers both legs. So it would be $75 total for each RT ticket.

You pay the fee at the time of cancellation.