Secret to booking the best airfare rates????

[BC]

I know I have heard or read that there are better times and days to book airfare, but I can't find it. Does anyone have any good info on the best kept secrets for finding good airfares? This particular trip is for the Florida Keys and we would prefer to fly right into Key West, but may have to drive for Miami or Ft Lauderdale. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[BC]

surely some of you know, cause you all know about everything!!

 

[Lewisc]

Key West has short runways. Smaller planes. Not a lot of flights. Luggage limits enforced. Delta for example limits you to one checked bag. You don't have the option of paying extra. During summer months flights will sell out.

You picked the wrong destination to look for bargain flights.

Try BING. They have an option to predict airfare. It will suggest if the fare is more likely to go up or down.

 

[dacky041208]

I know I have heard or read that there are better times and days to book airfare, but I can't find it. Does anyone have any good info on the best kept secrets for finding good airfares? This particular trip is for the Florida Keys and we would prefer to fly right into Key West, but may have to drive for Miami or Ft Lauderdale. Thanks in advance for your help.

I don't think it's a secret, but I think the best thing to do is travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday. That has saved us some serious money over the last few years. As far as good times to book the flight, I think the best thing to do is just watch. Prices can change constantly.

 

[twinsplusone]

I just read an article in May's Woman's Day and they advised booking on Tues at 3pm. Tues, Wed and Sat are the best days to fly. Good luck finding a great rate. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[Lewisc]

Flights to Orlando are an exception. There is a lot of competition. Ultra low cost carriers like Spirit. Discounted fares are still available.

Key West is also an exception, the exact opposite. The OP will probably either pay $$$ or drive from FLL/MIA.

 

[BC]

Yeah, it looks like we will be flying into MIA or FLL and then driving 3 hrs to the Keys. I can get info about MIA or FLL, but I keep trying to put in my info on US Air's website (only 2 airlines fly out of Wilm, NC to MIA), but get error messages telling me to check the route maps. I called and they said they do indeed fly into Key West, so I don't know why I can't check it.

 

[Lewisc]

Yeah, it looks like we will be flying into MIA or FLL and then driving 3 hrs to the Keys. I can get info about MIA or FLL, but I keep trying to put in my info on US Air's website (only 2 airlines fly out of Wilm, NC to MIA), but get error messages telling me to check the route maps. I called and they said they do indeed fly into Key West, so I don't know why I can't check it.

Check Kayak.

You can fly Delta with a connection in Atlanta.

You can fly US Air, You have a layover in CLT then connect with a Continental flight in FLL.

I wouldn't expect to see great fares.

Check Delta's site.

 

[Missytara]

I found I book my airfare very early in the morning on a Tuesday through Thursday.

My theory is that people sit at their desk at lunchtime and book flights and they go up during that time period.

It also seems that airfares go up on Fridays through Mondays. My theory is that families are home for the weekend and start to make travel plans. Some book over the weekend, others might wait till they get to work on Monday morning.

I watched my airfare go from $112.00 to $152.00 last weekend; then it dropped to $104.00 Monday afternoon.

On Tuesday morning, it dropped to $99.00 and I booked it.

Now it has shot back up to $112.00 to $132.00 as of this morning.

Get on around 6:00 am on a Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday and you will have good luck!

 

[Lewisc]

Airlines have a limited number seats available in each "fare bucket". The bucket sells out and the lowest available fare will be from a higher "fare bucket".

Airline revenue managers will sometimes release more seats into the lower fare buckets. The "rumor" is they don't do that over the weekend.

You have to do your homework. You need to know what's a high fare, good fare and great fare.

The OP doesn't even know what airlines service his route. He has to do some homework. Key West may be one of the (few) destinations that can sell most of their seats at higher fares.

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

I use Farecompare.com

Try bing as well they have a Fare predictor which is based on historical data.