Tips for saving $$$ buying Delta Flights???

[Mad4Dizne]

Our travel dates are not up yet. I did notice though, when I put in dates, quite often a Wednesday to Wednesday flight was 100's of dollars less than say a Friday to Friday--will this hold true closer to my flight??? Any Delta experts out there have any tips to getting the best rate and when to book??? Greatly appreciate any tips (I hope we can get somehwere near the $176pp we paid in 06....)
TIA!!
Flo

 

[sixcats]

I seem to get the best Delta rates by booking as soon as rates are released.

 

[CarolA]

Generally DL does not give the cheapest fares for Friday, Sunday and Monday flights. No gurantees however.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Generally you can find the best fares flying mid-week, not Fri-Mon.

 

[bicker]

Also, I tend to get less expensive flights flying to Orlando in the evening, rather than the morning.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

I seem to get the best Delta rates by booking as soon as rates are released.

I second this quote above. 330 days for me. I have been flying Delta quite a lot in the past 4 years, & personally I couldn't be more happy with there service.

Yes, they change there seats, (but so does every other carrier I have booked) My job is to call & check every few weeks. If there is a change, I call, I am nice & most times, they give me what I want. If they don't, I hang up & try again. My only complaint, is everytime I call, I seem to get an international agent, & it is hard to communicate.

Hope this helps

Patricia

 

[CarolA]

My experience has not been that 330 days is the best airfare. I just got a fare of $69 to MCO on a late release. A lot depends on your airport. IF there is no real competetion then you may find 330 days is your best bet. If there is competetion and espeically if you have someone like SW at the airport WAIT LOL! DL does not match SW fares until SW does a fare release.

 

[clkelley]

Also, I tend to get less expensive flights flying to Orlando in the evening, rather than the morning.

We find the opposite. The morning direct flight to/from MCO seems to be cheaper for us and the SkySavers seem to be more available for the morning flights.

However, I've about given up on Delta direct from home. We like to go quick weekends in addition to our annual week-long trip. The flight times have moved to the middle of the day and there never seems to be any discounts.

We have become SW converts out of Nashville. I can leave work on Friday evening and still make the last Nashville flight to MCO, and they have an 8pm flight on Sunday evening. I can most always get a Ding! to get that flight at around $120 RT or less.

With Delta out of our hometown I have to leave work at noon on Friday and get on ME on Sunday at noon and the flight rarely drops below $200. (Getting there a couple hours earlier on Friday really doesn't make up for the lost time on Sunday)

 

[Mad4Dizne]

I think we will do the midweek departure and I'll try booking at the 330 days out.

Thanks again!
Flo

 

[Mad4Dizne]

If say the rates do go down on the flights prior to our departure, am I able to get a credit??

 

[bicker]

Most airlines will provide you a credit-on-account (must be used within a year) if fares go down, but your fare rules will still apply, so you may have to pay a change fee to get the lower fare (and often that would cost more than just sticking with your higher fare).

 

[seashoreCM]

Wait for a fare war (Delta's T class) as opposed to book at their everyday low price (Delta's U class).

The book-at-IPO only applies for really popular dates such as Sunday PM after Thanksgiving, which dates fare wars are not likely to include any seats on. Delta occasionally allows bookings the afternoon of the 332'nd day out.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm