When to book airfare?

[englishteacha]

We would like to fly with Allegiant Air from Portsmouth, NH, this coming June. However, they don't have any fares posted for June yet. I called and the rep. I talked to didn't have any idea when they'd post fares. We'd prefer to fly with them because it's non-stop and there's free parking at the airport. Generally speaking, they're cheaper than the other airlines. All the flights out of Portland, ME, have at least one stop, and we'd have to pay to park or find a ride.

So, how much longer should I wait for Allegiant to post their fares? Jetblue has rates from Portland for $99 each way and I don't know how long that rate will last. We haven't flown often enough to know the patterns of fares. Would Jetblue's price go down? Will it go up? Should we try Priceline for something even cheaper? Boston and Manchester, NH, are quite a drive for us, so we're trying to avoid them if we can.

Please advise! Thanks!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

We would like to fly with Allegiant Air from Portsmouth, NH, this coming June. However, they don't have any fares posted for June yet. I called and the rep. I talked to didn't have any idea when they'd post fares. We'd prefer to fly with them because it's non-stop and there's free parking at the airport. Generally speaking, they're cheaper than the other airlines. All the flights out of Portland, ME, have at least one stop, and we'd have to pay to park or find a ride.

So, how much longer should I wait for Allegiant to post their fares? Jetblue has rates from Portland for $99 each way and I don't know how long that rate will last. We haven't flown often enough to know the patterns of fares. Would Jetblue's price go down? Will it go up? Should we try Priceline for something even cheaper? Boston and Manchester, NH, are quite a drive for us, so we're trying to avoid them if we can.

Please advise! Thanks!

My family and I just book our flights on Feb 10th for our trip May 12-19. We were in the same situation as you. We were waiting to book with Southwest and they never changed their dates either and when they finally did, it ended up being more expensive than Orbitz or Expedia with another airline. We ended up getting ours for $142 per person, round trip, one direct flight and one connect through ATL and good times as well. I hope this helps, sometimes its worth it to wait, in our case, it was good we booked with another airline.

 

[momof296&02]

We would like to fly with Allegiant Air from Portsmouth, NH, this coming June. However, they don't have any fares posted for June yet. I called and the rep. I talked to didn't have any idea when they'd post fares. We'd prefer to fly with them because it's non-stop and there's free parking at the airport. Generally speaking, they're cheaper than the other airlines. All the flights out of Portland, ME, have at least one stop, and we'd have to pay to park or find a ride.

So, how much longer should I wait for Allegiant to post their fares? Jetblue has rates from Portland for $99 each way and I don't know how long that rate will last. We haven't flown often enough to know the patterns of fares. Would Jetblue's price go down? Will it go up? Should we try Priceline for something even cheaper? Boston and Manchester, NH, are quite a drive for us, so we're trying to avoid them if we can.

Please advise! Thanks!

I think $99 is a great rate. We live in NY & we pay $77-99 each way non-stop on Jet Blue. If you book w/ them & the fare goes down call them & they will give you a credit that is good for 1 year. The credit is transferable

 

[Disneyolic]

I had been waiting for airfares to come down also - I mean hoping - for our vacation in June. What I kept seeing was increases in price. So, I looked into booking two separate one-way flights on different airlines. I had found a price from USAir out of Syracuse, NY, to Orlando for $89+ but we had to fly in late Friday night. After much researching here on the DISboards I went ahead last night and booked that flight, along with a JetBlue flight on our return home. Well, this morning, out of habit I rechecked all flights again and found that same USAir flight had gone up to $134+. WOW. I couldn't believe it. That's $45 savings per person (and we are a family of 5). I realize that this fare could go back down, but I sit reassured now that our flights are taken care of.

So, my advice is, if you feel comfortable with an airfare, grab it.

 

[tchrrx]

The cheapest I can find from OKC on May 28 is $321! I hate to spend $1000 for the 3 of us to fly, but I'm afraid to wait any longer b/c prices seem to be increasing.

 

[Jeanne B]

I just wanted to make another suggestion which would allow you to fly JB out of Logan. C&J Trailways has a bus terminal in Portsmouth, free parking, r/t tickets are $38pp and kids ride free. We normally fly SW out of MHT but I discovered C&J a couple of years ago and it makes flying out of Logan a lot easier.

I must say though, for Portland the $99 JetBlue rate is very good (although I'm assuming that's not non-stop, probably with a layover in NY?).

 

[englishteacha]

There are no direct flights from Portland. This morning, Delta and US Airways are also having $99 each way, according to Travelocity, Expedia, and Cheap Tickets (gotta love a snow day--I get to plan all day!). There's some decent flight times flying out Delta and home on US Airways. I've never booked a flight on my own before...should I use a travel site or should I book separate tickets with each airline, if I decide to fly out of Portland?

I'd forgotten about C&J! I used to live in Southern Maine and everyone used C&J to get to Logan, Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check some airfares at Logan, now, too! Edited: Boston is the same price as flying out of Portland. I'll keep checking, though.

 

[Jeanne B]

I always book direct with the airline.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

There are no direct flights from Portland. This morning, Delta and US Airways are also having $99 each way, according to Travelocity, Expedia, and Cheap Tickets (gotta love a snow day--I get to plan all day!). There's some decent flight times flying out Delta and home on US Airways. I've never booked a flight on my own before...should I use a travel site or should I book separate tickets with each airline, if I decide to fly out of Portland?

I'd forgotten about C&J! I used to live in Southern Maine and everyone used C&J to get to Logan, Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check some airfares at Logan, now, too! Edited: Boston is the same price as flying out of Portland. I'll keep checking, though.

My family used to deal with the airlines directly until the internet started to be come more secure and used so we usually use Orbitz or Expedia. We have used both and they have worked out great. Orbitz will even call your cell phone to remind you of your flight that day and if there are any delays. Most of the time you can pick your seat assignments when you book online, other times you have to wait until check-in but at least you are confirmed on the flight. We have also flown with different airlines at the same time. For our trip in May we are flying into MCO from Pittsburgh on Delta but it's a USAir plane and on the way back we are flying with United. Sometimes flying on differnt airlines like that saves you money, it saved us money in the long run. I hope this helps, good luck!