Time to beat a dead horse.....

[kristenrice]

...I know this had been asked ad nauseum, but when is the best time to buy airfare?

I have been watching NWA out of GRR since they opened up for our travel dates (Jan 2008) and the prices are all over the place! I check daily to try and see if there is maybe a particular day of the week when prices are raised (no pattern yet) and the cost has varied by as much as $400 for our family. The prices now seem to be steadily increasing, but I don't want to tie myself into a non-refundable fare this far in advance. I am thinking that July or August would be the time to get the best fares (and still have some flight choices) for an end of January trip. Anybody have suggestions? I'm all ears...or eyes, as the case may be

 

[bavaria]

you have a LOT of time to book - I think that the best option is to find the 'right' price by using www.travelocity.com and www.farecompare.com. Sign up for the fare watch service on Travelocity and when you see an acceptable fare at a decent time, buy it.

 

[salmoneous]

Simple - the best time to buy airfare is when prices are as cheap as they are going to be. Problem is, nobody knows when that will be. There is just no pattern or logic to airline pricing these days.

 

[dzneelvr]

sometimes I think all the choices we have now is more confusing I purchase our tix about 6 months in advance because our carrier offers a few seats at really discounted rates when the dates first open up. I'm literally checking their website daily for about a month. We fly a small regional carrier in/out of Sanford and I got them for $168 roundtrip in Dec. for June dates. I guess you can shop until the 23rd hour, but at some point you need to make a decision If you can save $400, that sounds like a sweet deal. Then stop checking and let it go.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

When I am traveling around a major holiday I buy my tickets as soon as the dates open. I've never seen prices go down for a holiday.

 

[Yzerbear19]

We bought our tickets for Jan. 2007 in November and got a great deal on them. I had watched the price of them for probably 8-10 months.

 

[CarolMN]

Unless you are flying during the holidays or a school break period, I'd wait. January just doesn't seem to be a busy time for air travel.

We fly out of MSP and I am waiting for a good sale for the end of October to very early November. No holidays, no school breaks so I think I shold be able to do better than what is currently showing. That said, it is hard to be patient, LOL.

Good luck to you.