When is the best time to book flights

[Daniel&family]

We will be travelling to Florida in late April 2005 and I was wondering how early you normally book flights to obtain the best price.
The scheduled Airlines have not got prices yet, but I can book Fly-Drive.

For 6 of us (2 adults,2 teens & 2 children) Virgin are £2,250 when I ignore the insurances for car hire - it works out £150 cheaper to book a hire car with yescars including all insurances than to pay Virgins insurance.

This doesn't seem a bad deal to me, but do you think I will be better to wait untill the schedule airlines prices become available.

Thanks

 

[wayneg]

Not sure about prices from London airports, but from Manchester we only have Virgin Direct scheduled flights all other airlines have connections or are charter flights. From Manchester I would be tempted at that price. Do a check on Expedia for flights in March to compare they are usually simillar price (unless it is Easter weeks yo are going).
I agree with you on Car hire they are expensive. We use Airnet.co.uk who use Dollar, very competative and never had problem.
Wayne

 

[UKDEB]

£2.250 seems reasonable. It may be possible to get a good deal by waiting until the prices for scheduled flights are available - we often seem to get lucky by phoning around as soon as possible at the 333 day window. It's a long time since I've had to consider child prices, but unless there are deep discounts for children, I think you would struggle to beat those prices. (I'm assuming that, living in Essex, you'll want to fly from Gatwick.) Having said that, you haven't got long to wait to test the water. Who has quoted you the fly-drive prices? Are they likely to be the same if you wait a month or so?

 

[allie5]

Ive just priced up a fly drive for November 04 and for 3 adults and 2 kids Virgin quoted me £2154 for the all in flydrive (with Frequent Virgin discount). Via Expedia, this came down to £1732 (but the flights are not allowed to be changed ) and fully inclusive full size car.

Virgin flight only came out at £249 +tax for the adults and £149 + tax for the kids. The only way I have beaten those flight prices is when Virgin do a "Kids fly free" offer...but that doesnt come around that often!

The price you quoted sounds pretty good though....can you reserve them, subject to change (in case any more deals come up??).

Allie

 

[kazzie]

If those dates cover easter next year,then it would be a good idea to book the flydrive now.Many people pre-register with a deposit to book the easter dates even before they get released the the public.

If they aren't easter dates you might be able to wait for 11 months before your travel dates when the flight is released for booking flight only

 

[Daniel&family]

Thanks for the replies.

Since it's not Easter (Easter is end of March next year, so it will be about 2 weeks after), I think we will leave it untill the scheduled airlines can offer prices.

I presume all airlines use the 11 months/333days before offerering prices and that I would have to wait untill 11months before our return fights to obtain round trip prices.

I obtained the Virgin quote on-line with Virgin Holidays.

Tompson' 1st edition price is £2,964 (do prices normally increase in later editions?).

Finally what is Virgin' frequent flyer discount and what are the qualifications to obtain it?

Thanks again

 

[allie5]

Frequent Virgin discount applies if you are booking your THIRD Virgin holiday. You are able to obtain 10% off the total price of your holiday (flights, car and accomodation, but not insurance). You have to apply to become a member, and you get a card, leather luggage tags, a magazine and other bits. You get a free upgrade on your rental car and a superior room at the hotel if one is available. There are now different levels of membership if you have booked tons of Virgin hols.

Frequent Virgin discount is only available off of Virgin HOLIDAYS, not Virgin Atlantic flights. They do have a "Air miles" style flying club too, which I expect someone will be along to explain shortly!!

Allie

 

[Daniel&family]

Thanks Allie

Since we have only had one previous holiday with Virgin We'll have to forget about it for our next trip, but bear it in mind in the future.