Our FIRST time to WDW! Question about airfares.

[Disneyluv111]

We as a family are excited to be going to WDW!
I went to Alaska Airlines and saw that the cost of the tickets aren't too bad! What do you think about buying airfares 7 month early? If I buy early, I get the best deal? Or should I buy closer to the time we plan on leaving?

ETA: We will be going in February, is it a rainy season?

 

[disneypolybride2008]

Feb. is not a rainy season so that is a plus. If the price is right for you then buy it. I personally watch the rates once i have booked my trip. The rates will fluctuate a lot. On say, Fridays they are much higher than mid-week on a website like Orbitz. When they are at a low point then i buy it. One thing i noticed is Orbitz is now having refundable online bookings! Not all flights are, but some are and you are not paying extra for it. That is a good plus. Make sure to get your seats booked asap, but for flights that say airline will assign seats at check-in you will want to get to the check-in asap way ahead of everyone else to guarantee that you get a seat on the plane. With 7 seats you will not want to get there late and hear that they overbooked and only have 4/7 or whatever left and then have to hope someone will give up their seat for your family. I personally saw that scenario and it made some unhappy families!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Predicting when to buy airfare is like predicting the weather. There is no right answer. That said, here is how I do it:

If we are traveling a holiday week (like we are this year) I buy them as soon as the flights are released. Holiday airfare never gets cheaper.

If I have flexible dates, I try to fly mid-week.

I have flown enough to be familiar with what's good vs. not good for the destinations I travel to. Once the airfare gets to a price I am happy with, I buy. I bought this airfare 6 months out, I have bought up to a year out before. We fly southwest, so I know that if something better comes along, I can change to that fare and get a credit for the difference.

 

[SweetieinVT]

I just booked our airfare for April this week. It was the best I've seen in years for our route and I knew it wasn't going to get better. I checked the trend on the Kayak trend tool and it supported the price would go up soon. So I don't think you're crazy for booking now if you have done your research and know you are getting a good deal.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If the price is good and your days are firm, why wait?

 

[beffiegirl]

I heard the cheapest days to book airfare is at 52 days out. I waited this time for the 52 days out and I swear the airfare dropped 30 bucks! But I also think if your going during President holiday book early. Also I usually book South West, but got good deal on United this time.

 

[Disneyluv111]

I heard the cheapest days to book airfare is at 52 days out. I waited this time for the 52 days out and I swear the airfare dropped 30 bucks! But I also think if your going during President holiday book early. Also I usually book South West, but got good deal on United this time.

Sounds risky to save 30.00. Our dates are set, so I just went ahead and booked it because no matter what I'm sure the price will go up or drop. I just wanted to get it out of the way!

 

[sbarisch]

I go ahead and book the flights as soon as I know our dates. Then I use a site (and app) called Yapta, where I can put on my flights and what I paid. It alerts you when the fare drops - I then get credit from the airline when I call to book the lower fare.

 

[Disneyluv111]

I go ahead and book the flights as soon as I know our dates. Then I use a site (and app) called Yapta, where I can put on my flights and what I paid. It alerts you when the fare drops - I then get credit from the airline when I call to book the lower fare.

I've just booked with Expedia and they only allow 24 hours best price guarantee. Bummer!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I've just booked with Expedia and they only allow 24 hours best price guarantee. Bummer!

For future reference, it's (almost) always best to book your airfare directly through the airline's website. Use Expedia, etc. to search multiple airlines at once but then go to their actual site. You may actually save a little (some 3rd party sites charge a booking fee)