How far in advance should you make Airline reservations?

[Mickeycrazy]

I know people say to watch for deals, but how far in advance is safe to make flight ressies? I'm one of those people who like to have things done and handled as soon as possible, however, will it cost me lots more money by doing so?

 

[DebbieB]

I'd be careful about booking too far out on a bankrupt airline (Delta, Northwest, United) or a small airline (Independence, Transmeridian just went out of business with little notice). If Southwest is at your airport, I'd wait until their fares come out.

 

[KimRaye]

I'd be careful about booking too far out on a bankrupt airline (Delta, Northwest, United) or a small airline (Independence, Transmeridian just went out of business with little notice). If Southwest is at your airport, I'd wait until their fares come out.

Good thread, good answer, but we're going early June, should I book now, despite the high prices? TIA! P.S. Southwest is not a choice for us.

 

[Mickeycrazy]

Good thread, good answer, but we're going early June, should I book now, despite the high prices? TIA! P.S. Southwest is not a choice for us.

I have Contential and Air Tran to choose from (depending on which Airport to use), so I should be okay in that regards. I just wonder since everyone says oil prices are set to rise dramatically if things don't settle down in Iran, that perhaps booking early is the better answer.

 

[Kimmielee]

I booked my April air in October after watching NorthWest file for BK and thinking Spirit (my only other non-stop choice from Detroit) would book up during Easter week too quickly... so I spent $750 on two tickets that I can now get for $525.....

I wish I had waited, but the stress was killing me!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'd be careful about booking too far out on a bankrupt airline (Delta, Northwest, United)

United Airlines is no longer in bankruptcy, as of 1 Feb 2006.

 

[Kimmielee]

I know people say to watch for deals, but how far in advance is safe to make flight ressies? I'm one of those people who like to have things done and handled as soon as possible, however, will it cost me lots more money by doing so?

May I ask... have you gone before so you have an idea of what's "reasonable" and what is "outrageous"? I truly did panic and spent $350 more than I had spent before but I thought it was due to traveling around Easter (which I hadn't done before). If I had waited, it would have only been $125 more than before.

Which airport? Do you have direct flights available or are you ok with layovers? All those are questions you have to ask yourself.

For instance, I don't want to do a layover with a 6 year old... so direct non-stop flights are my preference. Also, I feel that if I'm paying for a day's worth of "fun" I want to get there as early as possible. The earlier flights are more expensive than later ones, sometimes.

Just keep an eye out, know what you are looking for and book it when you are COMFORTABLE with the price. The stress of trying to get the best price is gone and if you are smart enough to NOT revisit and reprice... you won't have the regrets either!

 

[maine_jennifer]

Just keep an eye out, know what you are looking for and book it when you are COMFORTABLE with the price.

I HIGHLY agree. When you find a price you're comfortable with - book it! I have flights for June. However, I need to get flights for August & October. In January, I took a long weekend at WDW. When I booked my airfare for that trip, it was $227 PWM to MCO - same price for August & October. That is a great fare in my opinion as I can fly from my home airport. Anyway... I left for FL on Saturday. When I got home on Tuesday, the price had increased to $337. That definitely isn't worth it! So, long story short - when you find a good price - book it. It may go down, but it may also go up!

Cheers!

 

[erikthewise]

I know people say to watch for deals, but how far in advance is safe to make flight ressies? I'm one of those people who like to have things done and handled as soon as possible, however, will it cost me lots more money by doing so?

Very likely it will. Many airlines are only too happy to make money off passengers that want the security of reserving their flights early, and set their prices accordingly.

When it comes to "deals", nothing substitutes for experience with a particular carrier out of a particular airport. The more "price-watching" you do, the better idea you'll have of what is a good rate and what isn't. And don't be afraid to price dates other than yours to find out how their pricing schemes work. If you see sale prices for dates sooner than your own, they may eventually become available for your dates as well.

But yes, if you see a price you are comfortable with -- book it!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I justed booked our airfare chicago to mco, because I had been watching prices & filling of planes. We really want to leave at a certain time and day, so there where only a few options. But our plane leaving was really filling up and only 3 rows of seats remained with 3 seats togther. With taking my nephew this year it is important to all seat togther, and the price was about the usual so I had to book it. If your in the same situation watch the prices and you can pull up the seating in the planes lets you know how booked they are and what the seating will be like, before you book.

Happy hunting, mky

 

[Nik's Mom]

I book when I think it can't possibly get any lower. And guess what...the price always drops even lower. Seriously, just keep watching the fares. If you notice the flight starting to fill, you may want to book to avoid getting locked out of the flight.

 

[DarthGoofy]

As others have said, when you find a comfortable price for you, book it. We try and set a price range of what we are willing to pay. When we find the times we want with that price, we book it.

Prices change like crazy. I was looking two days ago and the price changed between screens as I was shopping.