When to book airfare?

[Dug720]

I think it depends on the ages of the children if you can use family boarding. It they aren't very young, I don't know that they would allow it.

Also, I have heard of situations where because of the sheer number of families eligible they did not have it (or they radically dropped the eligible age ceiling) because it would have been 2/3 to 3/4 of the plane if done as usual. Pretty sure my last time ever letting them fool me into thinking they're good that happened. (I am a solo adult, so no, that was not the factor.)

 

[YawningDodo]

Honestly, even though I know you can theoretically get a lower price if you wait, I always book my flights as soon as I know when and where I'm going. For me, knowing that it's taken care of and being able to put the real amount in my budget rather than a guesstimate is worth the risk of having paid more than I would if I waited until closer to the trip.

 

[Girl of the South]

I agree saving seats for "late birds" should not be done. MAYBE a middle seat but only in emergencies!

The age for the family boarding is a child under 6. Always bugged me that the childs family extended to 5 older siblings, parents, two sets of grandparents and the crazy auntie.

GOOD POINT about using points! (DISNEY DREAM 2B!) Makes it SO much more flexible than the cash that has an expiration date.

 

[darnheather]

Good points all thank you. So when I checked yesterday the 75% of the flights were "sold out" at the lowest category on Delta. Today none of them are. Looks like I'll be play the Hopper game at least until the Southwest fairs come out. All of the flight times are bad because nothing seems to get us home before midnight.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Also, I have heard of situations where because of the sheer number of families eligible they did not have it (or they radically dropped the eligible age ceiling) because it would have been 2/3 to 3/4 of the plane if done as usual. Pretty sure my last time ever letting them fool me into thinking they're good that happened. (I am a solo adult, so no, that was not the factor.)

Chicago to Orlando is mostly families and we’ve never had an issue. The age on SW is 6,but when we asked they told us to do family boarding when DS was 8.