Question when buying tickets Airline tickets in advance....

[DOREEN1779]

I haven't flown that much, so I am a bit confused about something. I thought if you purchase tickets through the airline you wait and watch until the price is at an acceptable level and you buy it and that's it. I read a couple comments about calling back the airline and the airline taking $$$ off the tickets to match current pricing. How does this work? Is there a time frame? Can you only do it once? How do you do this?
Doreen

 

[Scrappygrrl]

Most airlines will charge a $150/per ticket change fee to adjust the price. So in order for it to save you money, the fare will have to have gone down by more than $150.
HOWEVER, Southwest airlines will allow you to reprice your itinerary if the fare drops, but it comes back to you in the form of a credit that must be used within a year of the initial ticket purchase, and for taht ticketed passenger only.

I am not sure of other airlines do this - perhaps JetBlue??

 

[tjmw2727]

Depends on the airline and the fare you purchase.

With a "non refundable fare" most airlines charge a fee to make any kind of change ranging from $75 to $150 per ticket. The exception is Southwest and you won't get a refund but a credit toward future flight, the credit is only good for the person on the ticket and must be used in a year.

Of course most airlines also offer fully refundable fares but they are significantly more expensive than typical internet fares.

Bottom line, IMHO since you haven't flown in a while. Read all the information and all the fare rules before booking! Most arilines are now charging for items that used to be "bundled" into the fare. Watch for bag fees, seat fees and even carry on bag fees when booking to calculate the true cost of the flight.

 

[bumbershoot]

Alaska Air is also one that will not charge the change fee. Airtran, too, by many reports.

 

[kaytieeldr]

JetBlue and, I think, Air Tran, will also credit any price drop to your account with them on your specific flights if you call and ask.

And of course, if you purchase a refundable fare, you can always call and rebook at the lower rate - and get the difference really refunded.

 

[mygyky]

JetBlue does this. You can call them and they will provide a credit for that amount into a travel bank for you to use in one (1) year. You can do it as many times as the fare drops and you notice it. They do not limit. They include one checked bag and do not charge a fee for seat selection. (They do charge for their "More Room" seats, but you don't need to select those and for in-flight movies, but snacks and tv are free) If you cancel and rebook a different flight they will charge you a change fee plus difference in fare as all the other airlines. As mentioned check all the rules for each airline and choose the best one for you at your local airport.

 

[AllanJ]

Buying airplane tickets "early" is not in itself a good strategy for a low fare, although that allows a better choice of flight times and seat selections. If possible at least wait for a specific fare sale.

Ten years ago, many more airlines would price-match a lower fare you called attentiion to and would apply that to a ticket you already bought. But they too gave the fare reduction in the form of a voucher or gift certificate that expired in about a year.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Buying airplane tickets "early" is not in itself a good strategy for a low fare, although that allows a better choice of flight times and seat selections. If possible at least wait for a specific fare sale.

I don't agree with this. I fly a lot, and many times there is never a fare sale for the routes I want. It's better to research flight prices, wait until you find a price you can live with, and buy the ticket. Buying tickets early is often the best strategy for getting the cheapest ticket. No one knows how ticket prices will fluctuate; that's why no one can tell you exactly when you should buy a ticket.

 

[floridascgirl]

What do experienced travelers consider to be "early"? I have heard that most airlines change their flight schedules multiple times leading up to the travel date, and I am one who will be booking my flight to fit a set itinerary. A major change in flight times could really mess us up. How far out is "too early" to book do you think?

 

[mygyky]

What do experienced travelers consider to be "early"? I have heard that most airlines change their flight schedules multiple times leading up to the travel date, and I am one who will be booking my flight to fit a set itinerary. A major change in flight times could really mess us up. How far out is "too early" to book do you think?

I have bought tickets several months in advance, usually when the fares are released. JetBlue and SW increase fares as seats get bought up. I have only had schedules change by minutes if ever at all. I have not yet lost a flight or had it switched from a non-stop to a layover somewhere. For JB when first released will usually result in best pricing.

 

[Jestocost]

What do experienced travelers consider to be "early"? I have heard that most airlines change their flight schedules multiple times leading up to the travel date, and I am one who will be booking my flight to fit a set itinerary. A major change in flight times could really mess us up. How far out is "too early" to book do you think?

As a PP noted, SWA almost never changes their schedule once it is released. So what you book is what you get. Not sure about JetBlue as they don't fly out of STL.

However, most of the legacy carriers (American, Delta, US Airways, United, etc.) make changes to their schedules on basically a quarterly basis and regularly add, remove and alter flights after passengers have booked. As a result, if you book the full 330 days in advance (which is generally when those carriers allow it on a rolling basis), there will be at least three (maybe even four) schedule changes that could result in your flight vanishing or changing. I have more flights stay the same than change, but it does happen and the more change windows you hit the greater the chance.

 

[floridascgirl]

As a PP noted, SWA almost never changes their schedule once it is released. So what you book is what you get. Not sure about JetBlue as they don't fly out of STL.

However, most of the legacy carriers (American, Delta, US Airways, United, etc.) make changes to their schedules on basically a quarterly basis and regularly add, remove and alter flights after passengers have booked. As a result, if you book the full 330 days in advance (which is generally when those carriers allow it on a rolling basis), there will be at least three (maybe even four) schedule changes that could result in your flight vanishing or changing. I have more flights stay the same than change, but it does happen and the more change windows you hit the greater the chance.

Oh my goodness...what do you do if your flight "vanishes"?

 

[Jestocost]

Oh my goodness...what do you do if your flight "vanishes"?

The airline should rebook you on another flight. Unfortunately, that almost always means a time change and sometimes means a change from a non-stop flight to one with a connection. If the flights they have rebooked you on aren't ideal they should rebook you on flights more to your liking (assuming any are availble) or refund your money without charging a change fee.

 

[Nancy F]

I just got a $666.00 credit from Airtran for my April trip. I'm hoping to be able to use it before they change over to South West. As I won't fly South West I may wind up losing most of it. I'm going to use some of it for upgrading to business and for the extra bag I bring back. And I book as soon as they post the flights. I'd rather pay more than not get the flight I want.
Nancy.

 

[seashoreCM]

Oh my goodness...what do you do if your flight "vanishes"?

Hand pick alternate flights from their schedule that you would like, then call in to ask for those flights, expecting that the request will be granted at no extra charge if the flight is not sold out.

If there is nothing you would like better or if it is sold out, then ask for a refund if another airline has something you would like better.