How far in advance do you buy airline tickets?

[musicmom3]

Luckily I didn't buy airline tickets for our July trip, since it just because an August trip! But it brings the question to mind--is it usually less expensive to buy tickets way in advance or to wait in hopes that the price will go down. When should I book for August? Thanks!

 

[higgyCU]

I try to set a price limit. The two main variables being where you live and what time of year you are traveling. Before September 11th I tried to pay no more than $150 from the Washington DC area. This year I up the limit to under $200. I was able to get tickets for $173 for our fast approaching trip. I purchased them back in September. I recommend going to Expedia and registering. You can setup a price watch for tickets and they'll email you when the tickets drop by a certain amount. I use it as a guide to help me figure out when the airlines are having sales. Hope this helps.

 

[Aisling]

In the 4 summers we have been going to Orlando (this will be our 5th), I have never bought airline tickets more than 4 months in advance. Too many things can happen, like another Fairytale Package might come out and then we'll want to extend our stay, but can't unless we pay a fee to change the airline tickets. Things like that.

Also, as far as prices go, I have never paid over $200 for tix from NYC to MCO. In fact, last year, the prices were consistently around $200 for the 4th of July week, but I held out, because I knew they price would come down. And it sure did. I paid $175 for myself, and my 2 sons, and $155 for DH who joined us a day later. We got prime seats in row 2 on Song, and we were very happy.

I watch the fares daily just to see what's going on, and I always check to see how booked the seats are. Around March, I'll be watching for the web specials, which sometimes only last for a few hours, and keep my fingers crossed for a repeat of last year. I am so confident it will continue to be the same way as it's been!

 

[musicmom3]

I had a similar experience with dropping fares last summer. I had booked a long time out on AA at Kennedy (NY) for $241, and then, closer to my July vacation, all the Orlando flights were pushed to LaGuardia, where AA was happy to transfer our flight. Instead, I asked AA for a refund of the tickets and rebooked through Travelocity for $139 per ticket (also on AA), a major savings on four tickets.

That's a good point about not being able to predict special offers like the FT package, too. Easy to change hotel dates, expensive to change with planes.

Can I ask how you can check to see how booked the seats are? I have a "fare watcher" set up on Travelocity, but I don't think I can monitor booked-uppedness there. Thanks!

 

[cyndibelle]

we bought ours about 4 months out got them for 154 bucks a person through delta..woo hoooooo....

 

[schumacher]

I think it also depends on how flexible you are willing to be. I booked for our December trip back in June. I got a great rate, $630 for the four of us. At the time, I was able to be very choosy on departure times etc.. Just last month I checked on the same flights. Price per person had jumped to close to $500 per traveller and times were very limited, in other words you could leave in mid-afternoon instead of early morning etc.. I think it depends on when you want to get to the world and if you are willing to leave at off hours.

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[dzneelvr]

I always have our tickets by January for the June/July trip. This year, the earlier we book the better chance I have of getting the $79 tickets the airline is offering. We pretty much stay with the same dates each summer, due to kids sports events, so it's a matter of having them in hand and then working on the resort ressies.
I'm not one who has time to shop around for the best price forever. I get a bit anxious until I have the flights confirmed.

We're getting pumped

 

[debden]

Definitly wait and see if prices go down after the New Year.August of 2004 is waaaaaay in the future.Give it some time and keep checking airline websites. We got our tickets this past August for our December trip and now they are double that price!!! Whew...it pays to be patient.

 

[musicmom3]

Thanks for all the feedback! It really helps! I am definitely going to watch the sites for price movement.

 

[BrerMama]

I think it also depends where you're flying from... we're using our local airport which is fairly small -- mostly shuttles for Delta, AA and Air Tran. Air Tran had the best prices ($97 each way which is very cheap considering we paid over $300 round trip 4 years ago). About a week after we made our package reservations, the air fare for our preferred departing flight jumped $30/ticket. I assume they have a limited number of inexpensive tickets and that when they are gone, the price goes up to the next tier. We went ahead and decided to fly out a day earlier so we could get the original price. 2 days after I bought the tickets, the price for our return flight also went up $30/ticket. My dh kept saying I was buying the air tickets too early and that we should just wait. By purchasing the tickets when I did, we saved $300 over purchasing them in February (when he wanted to do it) and that's if the price doesn't go up any more. So watch the prices, but don't let them slip through your hands.

 

[Aisling]

Can I ask how you can check to see how booked the seats are?

When you book on Delta (and Song), there is an option to click on to check seat availability. It shows you the layout of the plane and you see the seats which are empty and those which are reserved.

I haven't done this with other airlines, but I know it's possible because I've read on these boards about people doing it.

Maybe someone will tell us how to check seat availability on airlines other than Delta and Song!

 

[sarahsmom73]

I bought ours for our April 2004 trip in June 2003.. I got a great price of $216. The same flight is almost $400. now!

 

[rsschneck]

I just purchased our August 2004 tickets last week. We fly into Tampa instead of Orlando. We have done this before and the drive doesn't bother us at all! From Oregon to Tampa round trip $228 including all taxes. This was for the best flight times, favorite airlines and 767 planes. Everything was just what I wanted and I had $75 vouchers to use, so the price I paid was $153.00. The best thing is if the price drops I will ask for new vouchers for the difference.

We are DVC owners and can reserve our room months in advance. I also have patients to schedule, so I always book at least a half a year in advance.

I regret not buying tickets for our March 2004 trip because I am still waiting for cheaper tickets and so far NOTHING! I am at the 4 month mark so I am hoping prices drop soon!

I feel great that the summer tickets are out of my hair!

So, I say if you see a good deal and you like the itinerary GO FOR IT!

 

[travellady]

One option to consider is purchasing your tickets at a price that's acceptable to you so you know you can get the flights/times you want. Many airlines will give you a credit for the difference in what you paid and what the current rate is if the fare goes down.

This just happened to me - bought tickets via Alaska Arilines in September for an April trip - paid 371.00 for 3 tickets and 396.00 for 2. I check the rates several times a week and found this fare decreased to 274.00 for all tickets about 2 weeks ago. Called Alaska and they issued a credit for all 5 tickets - over 500.00 total. We are now applying the credit to a planned Phoenix trip in Feb. We had planned to go to Phoenix anyway, knew if a credit from Alaska came along we would apply it to this trip. The reason I booked the Alaska flight is it's the only airline that flies non-stop between Seattle and Orlando and these tickets are the first to go as the time gets closer. And they issue credits as Ive described.