Is it wise to lock in airfare (6 months out) now rather than later?

[DIS_MIKE]

Currently trying to schedule something for the Fall and airfare is already quite high into MCO. I figure with the rising fuel prices + the likely travel demand boom as more vacationers get their vaccination, etc. that it will drive prices even more. People have been reporting in that DCL section that cruises for '22 are selling out already and prices have jumped a few thousand.

I generally don't book airfare this far out, but I think at this time it's necessary. Just curious what others have done or are thinking of doing when it comes to flying.

 

[sam_gordon]

Currently trying to schedule something for the Fall and airfare is already quite high into MCO. I figure with the rising fuel prices + the likely travel demand boom as more vacationers get their vaccination, etc. that it will drive prices even more. People have been reporting in that DCL section that cruises for '22 are selling out already and prices have jumped a few thousand.

I generally don't book airfare this far out, but I think at this time it's necessary. Just curious what others have done or are thinking of doing when it comes to flying.

There will be people who already have their airfare booked.
There will be people who will wait to get their airfare hoping it will go down.

No one knows what fares will do, ESPECIALLY now. It's a gamble no matter what you do.

Of course, if the airline lets you rebook if the price drops, that's a benefit, but know what the limitations are (probably just credit, not a true refund, and find out when the credit needs to be used by).

 

[Tattylou]

I always book ASAP for my airfare bc we have to fly school vacation weeks and it never gets cheaper - it just goes up and up.

 

[jkelly86]

Just FYI Southwest will be releasing dates through November 6th on April 1st. If the price drops after booking, you can use the credit to rebook a flight within one year of booking:
"On April 1, 2021 we will open our schedule for sale through November 6, 2021"

 

[larrickswife]

Currently trying to schedule something for the Fall and airfare is already quite high into MCO. I figure with the rising fuel prices + the likely travel demand boom as more vacationers get their vaccination, etc. that it will drive prices even more. People have been reporting in that DCL section that cruises for '22 are selling out already and prices have jumped a few thousand.

I generally don't book airfare this far out, but I think at this time it's necessary. Just curious what others have done or are thinking of doing when it comes to flying.

We bought tickets last July 2020 and we able to get 3 first class round trip tickets from SEA to MCO for 1823. It can vary so just keep looking but the further out I think the lesser price.

 

[StageTek]

I start checking the day my flight dates are released. I check every other Wednesday and keep track.

It's crazy how much the rates fluctuate. They'll drop and I wait > they rise and I panic (did I miss out?) > they drop again.

I've been doing this for several years and have come to the conclusion that if the rates drop twice I book.

 

[J'aime Paris]

Currently trying to schedule something for the Fall and airfare is already quite high into MCO. I figure with the rising fuel prices + the likely travel demand boom as more vacationers get their vaccination, etc. that it will drive prices even more. People have been reporting in that DCL section that cruises for '22 are selling out already and prices have jumped a few thousand.

I generally don't book airfare this far out, but I think at this time it's necessary. Just curious what others have done or are thinking of doing when it comes to flying.

If you are comfortable with the prices, book!
Your reasoning is sound. You will be kicking yourself if the prices rise.

 

[R&RsMom]

Our trip is in October, and we booked our flights this week. We had a credit from last October’s cancelled trip, and found flights at the same very good price, so we booked. Normally, we would have waited till summer to book. However, since our airline has no change fees, if the rate goes down, we’ll rebook. There are 7 of us, so jumping on a good fare was important.

 

[_19disnA]

No one knows what fares will do, ESPECIALLY now. It's a gamble no matter what you do.

I agree and no one yet knows how the whole covid situation will play out in the coming months. Orlando is a popular travel destination, so there will likely be continuing travel demand. People out of work or whose business closed due to covid probably won't be going on vacation anytime soon, so I don't necessarily see large increases in travel. Just because some didn't go on vacation last year due to covid, doesn't automatically mean TWO vacations this year............etc. so some of what I see people speculating about probably won't happen. Airlines will also likely add back more flights as demand picks up, but none of use know exactly over what period of time that will take place.

Booking airline tickets further out for popular destinations is generally a good idea. Non-stop flights and the most desirable travel times typically sell out first. Airline fares are setup such that as lower price tickets sell out, the fare jumps to the next higher category. Some airlines may offer sales, but sometimes only to certain destinations or less popular travel times. If they can fill aircraft to popular destination at regular price, there is less incentive to offer sales.

 

[2minny]

Right, no one really knows, but we booked our May trip ages ago. My SIL waited and just booked a week ago, he got a MUCH better price than we got, as in $99 flight lol. So, if you're comfortable just wait and keep checking. But my husband doesn't like the risk, so he is willing to pay a bit more to get it done and know we are set! There are supposedly certain days the airlines do the flight price drop, if you can google that info!

 

[sam_gordon]

Right, no one really knows, but we booked our May trip ages ago. My SIL waited and just booked a week ago, he got a MUCH better price than we got, as in $99 flight lol. So, if you're comfortable just wait and keep checking. But my husband doesn't like the risk, so he is willing to pay a bit more to get it done and know we are set! There are supposedly certain days the airlines do the flight price drop, if you can google that info!

It's SUPPOSEDLY Tuesday if I remember correctly. But that's not a guarantee. Again, it's a gamble.

I would suggest checking your airline and seeing if you can at least get a credit for the difference in price. It may be too late though.

 

[Cheburashka]

Currently trying to schedule something for the Fall and airfare is already quite high into MCO. I figure with the rising fuel prices + the likely travel demand boom as more vacationers get their vaccination, etc. that it will drive prices even more. People have been reporting in that DCL section that cruises for '22 are selling out already and prices have jumped a few thousand.

I generally don't book airfare this far out, but I think at this time it's necessary. Just curious what others have done or are thinking of doing when it comes to flying.

If your plans are firmly set, I recommend booking now.

 

[Tattylou]

I just bought airfare for the first leg of my flight for next February because it is school vacation week. I know the school vacation prices just go up and up and up. I’ve been down this road. If I see a good price, I grab it. I’ve never regretted buying this early for school vacation or holiday weeks.

 

[JenBush]

I usually have a goal price in mind for my flight and if I see that price(or lower) I’ll book it no matter how far in advanced it is.

 

[Dis703]

I normally book much closer to my trip, but I think it largely depends on who you are flying with. From past experience watching flight prices some airlines seem to only go up once prices are released and may have occasional short term deals but never seem to go lower than what they were on the day they were released. Others fluctuate a lot and drop significantly closer to the dates.

I only fly Frontier anymore and they are one with frequent sales and prices usually start to drop only after it's within 3 months of the travel date. But it can literally be $175 one day and $50 the next so you have to watch and book once it gets to a price you are comfortable with. Works best if you have a little flexibility with the exact day and time of day you are flying too. The flight I'm taking in a little over a week was booked about 6 weeks out and we booked at $30 a person.

 

[kitkat4622]

we are not going until November and I booked my flight about a month ago I was okay with the price and with too many variables I booked it

 

[DIS_MIKE]

we are not going until November and I booked my flight about a month ago I was okay with the price and with too many variables I booked it

That's just it...way too many variables these days.

 

[gharter]

I think it depends on where you fly out of.
We fly out of a small airport with limited times and limited seating. We have to book early to guarantee a seat.
If i were flying out of a large airport with multiple flights/airlines per day, I think you can wait for a sale.