How early to book flights?

[jecarter]

How early to you all book your flights? I have looked around and found some pretty reasonable flights for December, but I am worried that there will be better deals out there between now and December. What would you do?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I booked an April flight and a June flight in February. Recently Spirit Airlines had a sale and I was able to rework the reservations (no change in eithr itinerary or seats) and saved $80.01. I have received a voucher from Spirit which I can apply to any ticket I buy from them up to one year from the date I made the reservation.

Most airlines work the same way. As long as you get a credit that can only be used with them there is no penalty. However, if you ask for the difference to actually be refunded you will be hit with change fees.

 

[Annette_VA]

It's a tough call. You want to book ASAP, but are afraid to book in case something cheaper comes along.

We're going in Jan and I booked our flights as soon as they were available (330 days out). Since I booked, every time I've checked the prices, they've been higher than what I booked at. Now, of course, they may go down between now & Jan, and if they do, I'll just call the airline & see if I can get a credit.

 

[DBC]

It depends on when you are going and how good the deal is now.

Last year we bought almost a year in advance and found out that tickets went down a little bit a couple months later (from $129 to $89 I think) and we were stuck.

We booked this morning for flying the week of Feb 26, 2006 because the flights were $68 plus tax out of Logan. I can wait a long time and they probably won't get any cheaper for that week. The chances are good that I'd end up spending more. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Bugsmom73]

We are going in Jan of 2006, but until we are certain we are going, I am holding off, also. I saw flights as low as 125pp last year for our time frame.

 

[Julia M]

How early to you all book your flights? I have looked around and found some pretty reasonable flights for December, but I am worried that there will be better deals out there between now and December. What would you do?

You have to have an idea of what the "normal" prices for flights are, and what is a "good" price.

Then, keep in mind when you are traveling (high season, slower season) Are your dates firm? Can you change a day or two in either direction to get a lower fare? Do you have specific times you want to fly?

For me, I booked for our December trip in early Feb. We are flying over Xmas, and I wanted an airline with assigned seats (lets out SWA). Because of the time change, I wanted to fly at certain times. I wanted to fly on SAturday (frequently popular) When I found a flight within those parameters, I booked.

With gas prices going the way they are, I'm not convinced we'll see really cheap airfare, especially where I travel from (CA). I paid $1139 for 5 tickets from SFO to MCO. I'm pleased. Apparently, our flight out of MCO on the 17th is totally booked (Orlando to Atlanta, a hub for Delta)

Julia

 

[Savin4Disney]

I booked in Feb. for our upcoming Nov. trip. I have not seen them cheaper for when we are going anywhere. But I am also going Thanksgiving week. So I knew I needed to grab what I was willing to pay when it came up and I had the money.

I said I would pay $250 each for us. I paid $217.40 for us. I saw them a week cheaper at $212.40 but did not have the money.

So I guess you have to set a price you are willing to pay and grab it when you see it.

 

[Taja]

Depends on your needs and your airline's policy.

I fly Southwest (not wonderful for a five-hour flight, but it's transportation!) and I usually have very specific travel dates. So I usually book my flights as soon as they release the schedule, then check back for lower rates. At this time, they do not charge for changing your flights and will credit you for the unused fare. Most of the promotional fares are non refundable, and the credit must be used within 1 year from the date booked (not the flight dates), but I fly Southwest regularly, so that's rarely a problem.

Read the airline's policy carefully--some charge $50 or more per person to change your flight--sometimes one way!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Depending on what you are looking for, I think it might be a bit early to book for December if price is one of your main concerns. We went in early December last year and I got a great airfare in mid-August, but no kidding, I was on-line twice a day, every day checking rates, the very second I saw a good price I was happy with I booked it. The very next morning it went up $75 and the next day it was $109 more! Since I'm always hunting down airfare for someone, I've noticed that it SEEMS like once Southwest announces a sale for the dates you are looking for, the other airlines offer sales or lower prices too. Currently Southwest's sale prices are going on for travel through September 15th.

The best thing to do is to set a "goal price" you will be happy with and as soon as you see that price or something close to it, grab it!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

If I can get airfare for less than $200, I book it. I start looking as soon as I can. If the prices go down, I get vouchers, but that rarely happens.