How soon to buy airline tickets?

[bornwiththeears]

Hope this is the right forum for this question. We have booked a Thanksgiving trip this year. For the last 17 trips we have driven, but this year we plan to fly. Since we are not frequent flyers could someone give me some insight as to how much in advance we should purchase tickets?

 

[sahbushka]

For thanksgiving it is usually best to purchase well in advance. I would probably check prices now and keep an eye on them for a few weeks to see what they do (go up or down). Also, most special airline prices have blackout dates around then, so if you see a decent price, go ahead and get it. Then it is done with and you don't have to worry about it. Good luck.

P.S. I like www.sarahmay.globaltravel.com for my airline tickets. They are usually a couple bucks cheaper than other online places.

 

[JenniferW]

Tday is one of the busiest times to travel so I'd book far ahead and try to be flexible. Sometimes you get get a better deal by leaving a bit early or coming back late.

Jenn

 

[bornwiththeears]

Thanks to both of you for the input. I have been watching the prices so I better get busy.

 

[pamjb]

I am not sure how far it is from Biloxi to Jackson, but you may want to check Southwest. Although it is too early for them to have released the flights for November (so far they are reserving to June 9), you may want to download Ding! from the Southwest website. The great thing about Southwest is, if you purchase your tickets, and a better fare comes out, they do give you credit AND they don't charge you for changing your ticket. Depending on what type of fare you first purchased, you will either get a refund or a credit to use on a future flight. I purchased tickets in October for our March trip at $166 round trip. A Ding! airfare came out in January for $88 round trip. I now have enough credit for our cruise in August.