Need help! Should I wait to book arfare?

[princessh]

Yesterday our airfare for our return flight from MCO -BWI was $112 a person a lot higher than the $69 pp we paid last year, but I know prices have been going up. My in laws are flying with us and wrote me a check to cover their airfare so I could purchase all 6 of the tickets we needed together.The bank said the funds would be available today. I went on this morning to purchase the tickets are they are now $145 a person! The flights on the way down are $98 pp so I am going to book those. Any thoughts on if I should wait hoping the price drops again for the return flight? We are traveling in Sept, so we have plenty of time! This is really killing our budget!!!

 

[n2mm]

You didn't say when the trip is? Next month? or 6 months from now. That makes a hugh difference. Also, today is Friday, I never buy airfare on the weekend as it's always higher. The prices tend to be lower Tuesday/Wednesday. With the price of oil changing daily, no one really knows how this will all play out. But for sure, the prices last year most likely won't be repeated. I just bought my airfare for May out of Dulles and paid $88 each way. Last year I paid $69 each way. Good luck, we are doing the waiting for our August airfare right now.

 

[princessh]

As per the end of my post we are traveling in September

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

As per the end of my post we are traveling in September

It's a long month..... so you did not say when you are traveling

And if it's Labor Day weekend that makes a big difference.

 

[n2mm]

As per the end of my post we are traveling in September

OK, that helps. sorry I missed it. Personally I've always found September to have some of the cheapest rates out of BWI. I'm waiting for my August airfare out of Dulles, but that's totally up to you. If it was me, I would be holding off. But at least with SW you can get a credit, but that only helps if you plan to use the credit. Keeping in mind that if you buy now, your credit will expire March 2012.

 

[Cee]

I'm having the same dilemma. Flights through Hotwire are $161/pp which is cheaper out of DCA than I've found in a long time. But I don't know whether to jump on it now or wait. A few in my party are still uncertain if they're going. Should I say "the heck with it" and just get mine? I'm leaning that way. Last year at the same time(early Nov.) we paid $243.

 

[capecoddisneyfamily]

you have plenty of time, I would guess they will drop. The rule is best savings is 3-5 months (buy on a tuesday), but with the gas prices going up that could be a factor. good luck

 

[Nadjalu]

For what it is worth I found that airfare was up anywhere between 30-50% than last year.
This would make sense as the many news reports over the last month have indicated we would see a marked increase in airfare now.

Personally I wouldn't wait. With gas the way it is going sooner or later the airlines will say they have to increase prices to cover the gas again.

It happened a few years ago when gas went over $4 a gallon, I am sure they'll do it again as we approach that price.

 

[Tony NY]

For what it is worth I found that airfare was up anywhere between 30-50% than last year.
This would make sense as the many news reports over the last month have indicated we would see a marked increase in airfare now.

Personally I wouldn't wait. With gas the way it is going sooner or later the airlines will say they have to increase prices to cover the gas again.

It happened a few years ago when gas went over $4 a gallon, I am sure they'll do it again as we approach that price.

yep you hit the nail on the head in what was $275 last year is now $420 in some markets I would alwasy book my trip 6 months in adavance but look at the cost of fule I dont know any more other to say if you find a fare that in your confront zone and if affordable at than book it .. if the fare drops you can alwsy ask for a credit in the diffrence in price ...