How soon do you book airline tickets??

[beebumble]

Would you be so kind as to let me know how soon before a trip you purchase your airline tickets?
Can you go to the terminal and purchase tickets months in advance?
Or is it all online if you are planning it yourself?
Thanks and have a DIsney Nite

 

[HenDuck]

We normally start looking 12 months in advance and then book as soon as we find a fare we can live with. If we are using frequent flier miles, we start as soon as the airlines will let us, usually a little less than a year out.

Good luck!

 

[ceecee]

I learned that lesson....always call early if you want to use frequent flyer miles! (at least with USAir).

 

[ChisJo]

I usually start looking the second that I know that I want to go. I started looking for my upcoming trip (in August) around February. The cost of tickets were outrageous, so I was hoping that with time the cost would go down. then the cost went up, and I was upset at myself for not buying them, but 8 weeks before my departure, I found tickets for a better price than I was actually hoping for.
So, like was posted previously, I buy when I think the price is reasonable enough for me to buy.
Jo

 

[fam4jc]

CeeCee - yep, with usair you have to call far out. We also learned this the hard way with our trip to Las Vegas. I wanted to share with you what the customer servcie lady told me when I had to call and cancel the trip (had to pay $150 to get my points back!). Anyway I complained about not getting the dates or non stops we had wanted and she said that they usually release more frequent flyer seats CLOSER to the flight date (two weeks out)! news to me. I just thought those of you who use usair might like to know that.

 

[232271]

we already bought our airfaire for March, 7 months out.
have been watching since it was available (date-wise)
and this was the cheapest we had found it.

 

[stauncie]

we are traveling in December, and the prices right now (ATA) is about $100.00 more than the current flight prices. I generally find pretty good prices about 8-12 weeks before the flight date.

 

[tidoublegger]

We booked Jet Blue from Boston to Orlando on June 28th 2004 for travel in March of 2005. I am glad we booked when we did because we paid a total of $768 for 4 R/T tix and just 1 week later it would have cost us $228 more! That's the cost of a park hopper! I had been watching Song one year out, but hadn't found a good price.

I say just keep watching on a pretty regular basis and when you find a fare that is good, grab it!! Good luck!

 

[lkohawaii]

don't we all wish we had a crystal ball when it comes to buying airfare? People have posted to do fare watch at travelocity. I think that's what it's called ...if it's not I'm sure someone will correct me.

 

[David0454]

just book tickets for dec.4 2004 bos to mco on jetblue 118.00 rt plus tax 270 for 2 tickets

 

[pfc123]

I've already started peeking ahead for a June 2005 trip. Of course none are available but i've watched the flexible date tickets jump on a daily basis (pittsburgh to orlando) 109, 123, 183, 203. They'll go up and down. I called United when i saw the 109 to see if i could land that for our trip and they said they only book 330 days in advance.

 

[momshark]

330 days out is what I heard is the earliest time you can book. I don't know if this is true for all the airlines, maybe just a general time. My friend has been booking her own trips for 20 years suggested that as soon as I find a rate I can live with for the days and times I want to book it. For instance, I just booked with United for April 2005 at $349 each. I could have gotten them for $297ish but would have had to leave WDW at 6a.m. on my last day. It was worth it to us to be able to leave that night instead. This is a rate that we can live with. I understand that this was not the cheapest (even high), and I could spend many hours searching on later days, but it is what makes me happy.
The key is what YOU are willing to pay for the days and times YOU want.

 

[stauncie]

Just booked our flight on ATA Dec. 4 - 15 IND to MCO $140.00/RT for late morning flights.

 

[strasfamily]

You can sign up with Fare Watcher at www.travelocity.com

When the price goes up or down, they will send you an e-mail. Its a good way to watch the prices.

 

[Strings]

We have enough miles for 1 free ticket, so I'll book at 330 days out. BUT, I'll keep a look out for cheaper fares on the flight. I'll then get vouchers if the price drops. It is much easier to get DH to go on another trip with APs and airline vouchers in my hand.