What would you do - Airfare?

[ZehnJahren]

I just booked an impromptu trip for 11/12 through 11/16. I wanted to grab free dining just in case I decided I wanted to go. I can cancel through 9/27 with no penalty.

I then looked at airfare. This morning, I could get a roundtrip ticket on American Airlines for $285. I came back early from lunch to book it, and now it's up to $308. I looked on Bing, and it says not to buy yet as "there is an 80% chance that prices will drop by $50". It does not say when prices will drop.

I want an early flight out and a late flight home to maximize my time. I had the perfect flight this morning (leaves at 7 a.m. ish, comes home Saturday at 7 p.m.ish) but now that is the flight that went up by $20+ (in the matter of hours). If I wait, I might not get the flight I want and have to take a later flight. If I wait, I might have to take a cab to the airport since everyone who could give me a ride will be at work. But I also might save a good amount over where I am now, and I might get an even better deal and not have to pack 5 days worth of clothes into a carry on to save the $25 fee each way. Also, I could have booked the $285 flight this morning and for $68 more gotten 1 carry on and NO change fee in case I needed to cancel - now, that option is $400!

The trip is not yet in stone; I could cancel anytime. I have the money (this won't go on a credit card) and bountiful PTO (as well as already being approved for these days off). What would you do? Book or wait? And why?

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I would wait on the airfare. As airlines are constantly having sales and the prices seem to fluctuate on a daily basis.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I would wait on the airfare. As airlines are constantly having sales and the prices seem to fluctuate on a daily basis.

This. I often wonder if the very fact that I personally searched for flights at that time/date make the price go up for the flight.