OT: Question for airline special experts

[Saffire]

Just found out we'll be heading to Phoenix for a few days in November. Probably looking to go the week before/after Thanksgiving.

It will be myself and two kids. Right now I'm seeing $970 for the three of us on most flights. I'm probably most interested in SW or United as that's where I have miles accumulating.

My question is if I should get these now or if anyone knows if SW or United will typically lower rates for this time in the next few months.

TIA.

 

[Tara]

Just found out we'll be heading to Phoenix for a few days in November. Probably looking to go the week before/after Thanksgiving.

It will be myself and two kids. Right now I'm seeing $970 for the three of us on most flights. I'm probably most interested in SW or United as that's where I have miles accumulating.

My question is if I should get these now or if anyone knows if SW or United will typically lower rates for this time in the next few months.

TIA.

From what city are you flying? And what days are you looking at? Even if you are traveling before or after Thanksgiving, if your trip begins or ends too close to Thanksgiving, that can affect your fare. IME, Southwest prices drop a bit about 8-9 weeks prior to a flight, but you can't guarantee that. With Southwest, at least you can get credits for use on other flights within a year of your purchase date.

Bing has a fare forecasting feature that works for some cities and will tell you if flight prices are likely to go up or down. Here's info about how it works. I don't think it includes SW.
http://www.bing.com/travel/about/ourTechnology.do

If I were in your shoes, I probably would wait a couple of weeks, but that's it, and even that is risky.

 

[Saffire]

From what city are you flying? And what days are you looking at?

Flying from Chicago. Either airport.
our dates are pretty flexible as well.