Should I buy airfare now?

[McFlea]

Hi All, I am planning a trip for my family of 5 for April 2015. We are going during our school break, so I'm not too flexible on dates. Flying from Boston, I found good rates on Delta and JetBlue (using points and cash) for Tues-Tues, 4/21-28. My question is, is 9 months too soon to book? I'm sure I won't get better rates ($1000-$1200 total round trip, non-stop), but what are the chances of flights being cancelled/changed? If I have tickets, they have to honor them in some way, right - so what is the downside of booking this early?
Or should I wait until July 30 and book room/package first and then plane tickets? Or wait even longer until potential deals are offered (I got a free dining PIN twice for this year and couldn't use either! Ugh!) and then book the airfare?
If only all my problems could be like this

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The chance of your flight being cancelled is minimal, unless there's a weather or mechanical problem. The chances of your flight time changing a bit is possible, especially for flights booked so far out. If the flight time changes significantly, you can ask to be rebooked on a different flight without additional cost.

$1000-$1200 plus FF miles for 5 RT tickets BOS-MCO is a great price. If you have a set vacation time, you should book it. It's not likely to cost you less in a few months.

 

[Suvadoo]

I found great Delta fares for April 2015 and I jumped on them. I think air fare is the most variable expense when I plan a WDW trip, so when I can save $ 400 I jump on it.

 

[Missyrose]

Hi All, I am planning a trip for my family of 5 for April 2015. We are going during our school break, so I'm not too flexible on dates. Flying from Boston, I found good rates on Delta and JetBlue (using points and cash) for Tues-Tues, 4/21-28. My question is, is 9 months too soon to book? I'm sure I won't get better rates ($1000-$1200 total round trip, non-stop), but what are the chances of flights being cancelled/changed? If I have tickets, they have to honor them in some way, right - so what is the downside of booking this early?
Or should I wait until July 30 and book room/package first and then plane tickets? Or wait even longer until potential deals are offered (I got a free dining PIN twice for this year and couldn't use either! Ugh!) and then book the airfare?
If only all my problems could be like this

Not too soon at all. We got $100 fares to go down to Florida when JetBlue extended its schedule through April, so we jumped on them for April 21.

 

[Collette]

I don't think it's too soon. I have always booked my Delta flights early. If Delta made any changes, they were usually doable for me. A couple of times it made my connecting flights way too tight and at that time they were able to book me on a more workable flight. I hope they continue to do that. I think they will if they can and something is available.

Sometimes when I book early, I have seen the prices go down. But then who knows if I would have been watching flights those days to get that price.

My general rule for myself is: If early on I find a flight at the times I want to fly for a price I'm willing to pay, I book it.

My other reason for booking early is that I then know for sure that I am going to get to go!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

If you book with Jet Blue and the price drops you can get a credit that is good for 1 year from the day credit was issued to use toward purchase of another flight.

I waited too late to book my Aug trip and we are paying $287 one way to fly home. I've been tracking since I booked and it's been up as high as $392 but hasn't drop below $287. My flights to MCO have dropped so I've got credits. Now I need to book another trip.

 

[TJA]

I book them early if I can get a credit if/when the price goes down. I booked for our April 2015 on JetBlue right when the fares were released. Only for the way down, though. The flight home is way too early in the morning, so I'm going to have to book SW when those fares are released.

So if I can get credit for fare decreases, I book early. Also, I try to book flights where luggage flies free.

 

[McFlea]

Thank you all for your replies. I decided to go for it, and booked Delta, $1024 total round trip for the 5 of us. I'm happy with the price, I've just never booked airfare first! I'll keep my fingers crossed for an offer during our stay - 4/21-28/2015

 

[Mynamewastaken]

Wish I could go on April break but Dh is working that week so we are stuck for Feb week. I booked right away and I am glad I did. I paid 1,800 RT for 4 .The price was 769.00 pp but I had companion tix for the kids at 140.00 each. Now the price has jumped to 996.00 pp glad I didn't wait!!!