How far out to book airline tickets?

[ashrenee]

I was wondering how far in advance to book airline tickets. We are flying in July, but I would really like to get our tickets soon. How far out did everyone get their tickets??

Thanks!

 

[mittelst]

I would get them now! Major airlines release their fares 330 days in advance. The discount airlines (Airtran, Southwest, JetBlue) release fares 7-8 months out. You may see some posts where folks have had good luck with last minute (DING!) fares from Southwest, but since this is your honeymoon, I wouldn't risk it. I just booked my flight for a December trip ($88+tax round trip) from Rochester NY to Orlando. Since Rochester is not a "major" airport, we rarely get the really cheap fares.

 

[Snow Shoe]

As soon as we decide what dates we're going, usually 11-10 months from our last trip, I'll start looking and buy. So far in the many years we've gone, 12+, only one time did the price of the tickets go below what I paid. That time, I called the airline and go vouchers for the difference in cost. I'm a firm believer of buying our tickets early.

 

[nin8jc]

Depends how popular a time of year you go. We're going spring break/Easter so as soon as we booked my eyes were glued to the screen checking rates every day, it payed off, one day back in August they were $299rt the next $74rt

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Just one caution: if you purchase your tickets very early, you might have equipment or schedule changes before your flight. Airlines regularly tinker with schedules and equipment, which can result in reservation changes and/or seat assignment changes. It's the price you pay for snagging a good fare.

 

[seashoreCM]

Except for popular dates it is again better to wait for a fare war instead of buying early at their everyday low price.

Many airlines no longer give out vouchers for the full difference if fares are lowered.

And for the popular dates, the sooner you (can) book the better.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[nin8jc]

Just one caution: if you purchase your tickets very early, you might have equipment or schedule changes before your flight. Airlines regularly tinker with schedules and equipment, which can result in reservation changes and/or seat assignment changes. It's the price you pay for snagging a good fare.

Right you are. That's why you have to keep checking and make sure they don't sit your DD4 all by her lonesome, but like I said it could also work in your favor. We were originally scheduled to come home on 4/29 and suddenly needed to come back on 4/28. The fares were outrageous. So when they made the schedule change, it worked for me. Changed our flights free of charge.

 

[dischick4778]

We usually book earlier rather than later. For instance, we are going in August and booked our tickets last week. Jetblue was around $185 round trip per person and the next day it was $255. Wound up going with Delta for $175 even though we like Jetblue better.