How many months in advance do you - on average - book flights?

[katallo]

With the new system and expiring flight credits we will wait 3-4 months out.

 

[ncc1701]

For us (well, me), we usually book pretty much as soon as we know we are going. This trip is a bounce-back and wasn't planned. So while I'm almost definite we are going at end of October, I won't be confident until May/June, so like 5 months out. I have NEVER waited this long to book airfare and it's making me nervous. I'm worried already high prices are going to skyrocket.

How quick or not so quick do you all book your flights?

We have always been book the flight right after we have booked the hotel (s). This applies to all of our vacations. We do research before to make sure both the flight & hotel prices are in our budget. Maybe we could save money waiting, but those flights might not be the best for our plans. No interest in changing planes unless there is no non-stop option available .

 

[japanese maple]

We have always been book the flight right after we have booked the hotel (s). This applies to all of our vacations. We do research before to make sure both the flight & hotel prices are in our budget. Maybe we could save money waiting, but those flights might not be the best for our plans. No interest in changing planes unless there is no non-stop option available .

Well, we stay in budget too, which is why I'm waiting to book flights this time.

 

[KPeterso]

I buy when I see a price I am happy with and can live with. Sometimes it is several months in advance. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. For my trip last week, I did not book my airfare until 2/5, so barely a month before. I had watched and watched and the airfare never got to where I was happy with the price.

 

[jimmymc]

For something like a holiday weekend or big international vacation, I'll book as soon as possible. Sometimes I end up overpaying, but I'd rather make sure I have the exact flights I want.

For shorter trips or visiting friends and family, usually 2-3 months out. If you're flexible with dates and times, that's usually a good window to book domestic flights.

 

[japanese maple]

I waited as long as I could. I ended up booking today! I figure if we push back and have to get a credit, we will still travel somewhere by 3/19 of next year!

 

[miksicnarf]

I usually book my DVC resort 4-5 months out and I start monitoring airfare at that time. It always fluctuates, and once I get a feel for what’s a good low fare I pull the trigger—that’s usually about 3 months out. It’s still always a roll of the dice, sometimes it does go down further, sometimes it goes up. I like to say it’s like choosing a spouse—pick one and stop looking—but I can’t help continuing to peek a little.

 

[miksicnarf]

I usually book my DVC resort 4-5 months out and I start monitoring airfare at that time. It always fluctuates, and once I get a feel for what’s a good low fare I pull the trigger—that’s usually about 3 months out. It’s still always a roll of the dice, sometimes it does go down further, sometimes it goes up. I like to say it’s like choosing a spouse—pick one and stop looking—but I can’t help continuing to peek a little.

 

[EACarlson]

I start looking as soon as I know I'm going on a trip, and book whenever I find a price I'm willing to pay. I will keep an eye on prices and take advantage of any price drops. I may very well be booking flights today for two separate trips to Orlando, work trip in September and taking my son to Epic Universe at Universal in January.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I always buy opening day. We usually fly with 4-6 people and the only time I've ever seen waiting for better pricing work is if it's just 1-2 people. 4-6 people, the lower fares sell out quickly and then you are stuck with the higher fares, at least on SW.

 

[LadybugsMum]

I start looking once I've booked the final dates for my room. I will buy when I feel comfortable with the price and if I don't like the price at all, then we drive down which we did in Feb when the prices just sucked.

 

[Sabres431]

As teacher who has frequently gone during our spring break (April), I would buy flights 11 months out. As soon as I could. Prices would only go up from there. This year, we are going in August before school starts and I have yet to buy tickets. I'm looking almost daily but they aren't quite at the price I'd like to pay.

Am I a bad person for hoping that all these recent plane issues lower the price of flights?!

We are also going in August. Prices are much higher than I'm comfortable with so I've been waiting it out. Usually have my flights booked by now. I did have a flight booked with JetBlue but they cancelled the early morning flight and made it a late evening flight. They wouldn't let me switch airports so I had to cancel it and start looking again. We may be booking with Breeze this time.

 

[DVC-Don]

Normally a couple of months out. But, if it's a holiday or school vacation time we book as soon as we can.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Our flights for December were released today....we booked today.

 

[disneyseniors]

Most wont unless you buy refundable fares.

Some will give you ecredit that needs to be used within a certain time frame (usually a year from original purchase date I believe).

If you're counting on a refund if prices drop, make sure you know what you're buying before you click "purchase".

I had to cancel a flight with Delta and just got a flight credit to be used when needed. I never saw a deadline to use it. We did use it a few months later with no problems.

 

[sam_gordon]

I had to cancel a flight with Delta and just got a flight credit to be used when needed. I never saw a deadline to use it. We did use it a few months later with no problems.

I just about guarantee the credit had a deadline of one year from original booking.

 

[disneyseniors]

I just about guarantee the credit had a deadline of one year from original booking.

That makes sense, but I guess I didn't notice one.

 

[sam_gordon]

Only a single data point, but...

Trip in the middle of June.
Because of Delta changes, we've moved around a little bit, but...
Booked on 12/29.
Originally paid $350/ticket.
Same flight and cabin class are currently listed for $1,000+

Granted, we're ~10 weeks out, but I'll be watching.

 

[Akck]

We used to book flights just after making our room reservations, 1-2 months. So for an 11 month booking window at 9-10 months out and a 7 month booking window, 6-7 months. However, on our last 2 trips, prices were outrageous and I ended up booking flights around 4 months out. We currently have one trip in December and prices are even more outrageous, so I’ll keep checking over the next few months. Worst case is we cancel the trip.

 

[kylenne]

I typically book asap because I find it very rare for award fares to go down, whether JetBlue or Delta (my usuals). Most often I am on points/miles and during holiday weekend trips especially I find they only go up. Especially over Thanksgiving/Xmas.

I don’t mind canceling and rebooking to pocket a credit on cash bookings though. I travel often enough that I’m never in danger of them expiring. I also have AwardWallet reminding me about any credits/travel bank funds. But most often I am watching Delta for cheap FC upgrades, and sometimes it’s cheaper to just change the ticket to FC rather than buying the seat upgrade. I just did that for my July 4th weekend Island Tower trip.