When to book a flight

[s u]

I am a little confused as to when to book a flight from Toronto to Orlando.

I read here that the sooner the better. As soon as the flights come out, book it.
However, when I research online, all the advise states 2 to 3 months prior to departure.

I have booked three flights to Florida in the past using the 2-3 month advice and it has worked well, with flights being in price range. One of those flights was for a March break and the other two were summer flights.

I am currently looking for March of 2015 and the prices seem outrageous ($1000 + from Toronto and $600+ from Buffalo).

Since I haven't booked a substantial amount of flights to Florida, did I just get lucky all these times?

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I would say that there is no "one" answer for this. If you are dealing with flying out of Buffalo, then with carriers like JetBlue, I would advise booking when they first come out. With Canadian Carriers and departures from Canadian airports I have experienced both (a) early pricing advantages and (b) unexplained price drops. There appears to be little rhyme or reason to this ... with some dates simply over subscribed and therefore with no potential for a discount (thus explained).

So I've adopted a price point strategy, where I lean towards carriers that I prefer. So in my case, United flights from Halifax under $410 return .... when I see this for my dates (or near my dates cause I will adjust my plans), I pull the trigger.

Ted

 

[vacation_junkie]

I am a little confused as to when to book a flight from Toronto to Orlando.

I read here that the sooner the better. As soon as the flights come out, book it.
However, when I research online, all the advise states 2 to 3 months prior to departure.

I have booked three flights to Florida in the past using the 2-3 month advice and it has worked well, with flights being in price range. One of those flights was for a March break and the other two were summer flights.

I am currently looking for March of 2015 and the prices seem outrageous ($1000 + from Toronto and $600+ from Buffalo).

Since I haven't booked a substantial amount of flights to Florida, did I just get lucky all these times?

That is normal.. flights seem to be up about $200 this year over last year! Normally we pay $600-$700 for the 3 of us. When we booked this time it was $970!! We've never seen it so high!

 

[Dislaroger]

That is normal.. flights seem to be up about $200 this year over last year! Normally we pay $600-$700 for the 3 of us. When we booked this time it was $970!! We've never seen it so high!

Flights for 4 are running more expensive for us as well!

 

[darwinsrule]

If you are looking for March Break then the time to book was when the flights first go on sale. The demand is such that prices only go up. And up quickly. We booked JB th day it wasrelased for $1400 for 4 of us. 2 weeks later it was up to $2100. Pearson (WJ) was $1100 per person a couple of weeks ago when my FIL was looking at it trying to decide if he was joining us.

 

[stefanospops]

For Jetblue or Southwest (discount carriers) I always book when flight first come out. I then keep track of the flights to see if prices drop. If they do both carriers will give you a credit for the drop in price to be used on a future flight. Since we fly at least twice a year to the US we can use the credits easily.

 

[roberthodgson]

Prices are higher in March and fuel price speculation is also adding to the projected costs for the airline, why not add a few days and drive down thats what we are doing in december. i75 is a great route and if you have multiple drivers you could drive non stop or break it up to 2 days.

It will work our cheaper and you have the benefit of having your own car when at Disney, parkings free if staying at a Disney resort.

We expect Round $400 to $450 for fuel round trip from Toronto, add a couple of nights in a hotel and food you are still under the cost for one adults flight cost.

We have used the Disney transportation in the past and its a Great service but can be slow at times and if its raining its no fun waiting for the bus.

 

[alc571]

We start looking about 6 months out. We aim for less than $400pp from Toronto. We are flying Air Canada in Nov and booked in early July when they had a seat sale on. The price is the same now, but went higher for Jul/Aug. Air Transat and Sunwing are good cheap airlines, and do very cheap last minute flights - you just have to put up with their infrequent travel days and times.

 

[webworm]

I am a little confused as to when to book a flight from Toronto to Orlando.

I read here that the sooner the better. As soon as the flights come out, book it.
However, when I research online, all the advise states 2 to 3 months prior to departure.

I have booked three flights to Florida in the past using the 2-3 month advice and it has worked well, with flights being in price range. One of those flights was for a March break and the other two were summer flights.

I am currently looking for March of 2015 and the prices seem outrageous ($1000 + from Toronto and $600+ from Buffalo).

Since I haven't booked a substantial amount of flights to Florida, did I just get lucky all these times?

We live in Oakville and will to drive a little to save $$$ with family of 5 especially during peak travel times like March break. Buffalo is not like it used to be since airport traffic is now 50% Canadians. We have flown out of Rochester, Buffalo, Detroit, Niagara Falls, Youngstown, Flint and Pittsburgh.

 

[darwinsrule]

We live in Oakville and will to drive a little to save $$$ with family of 5 especially during peak travel times like March break. Buffalo is not like it used to be since airport traffic is now 50% Canadians.

Lot has changed. First time we flew out of Buffalo was March 2002. Booked fares right after 9/11 on Southwest for $49 each way to Vegas. Pre-kids so there were a lot of cheap trips to Vegas in those years. Then there were kids and Vegas became Disney. Did a couple of flights from Pearson when the girls were younger, but since 2011 we have made he drive and have litterally saved thousands of dollars. It is the difference between one trip and two trips a year.