When to book airfare?

[disneychrista]

I am heading to Las Vegas in March. I have been tracking flight costs and they are heading down. I think it was originally $225 and is now just under $100. I am tempted to bite the bullet and book my airfare now. As I was watching the prices I originally said if/when it got to under $100 I would go ahead and book.

In the spirit of Las Vegas, do I gamble that the flight will continue to come down or do I fold and book now? When do flights generally stop going down in price and start going up?



Bonus question. This is a budget carrier and I am not paying to book a specific seat, so it will be assigned after I check in. Someone may be coming with me but won't know for a month or so if they can. I am going either way. If they are able to come will they try to get us seats together (if available) or do they just randomly assign available seats without regards to travel party. It is a short flight and it doesn't matter if we sit together or not, I am just curious.

 

[sam_gordon]

I am heading to Las Vegas in March. I have been tracking flight costs and they are heading down. I think it was originally $225 and is now just under $100. I am tempted to bite the bullet and book my airfare now. As I was watching the prices I originally said if/when it got to under $100 I would go ahead and book.

In the spirit of Las Vegas, do I gamble that the flight will continue to come down or do I fold and book now? When do flights generally stop going down in price and start going up?

I give two pieces of advice, pick the one you want to follow...
#1 Book when you're comfortable (doesn't mean happy) with the price. If it's going to bother you if you buy and prices drop, don't look again.
#2 I'll tell you down to the minute when to get the cheapest price. In exchange, you need to give me the winning MegaMillions numbers for the next drawing. Deal?

Flights will start going back up in price as more seats get sold. That could be tomorrow, next week, next month, or the week of the trip. I would be satisfied with <$100, especially if it's RT (you don't say).

Bonus question. This is a budget carrier and I am not paying to book a specific seat, so it will be assigned after I check in. Someone may be coming with me but won't know for a month or so if they can. I am going either way. If they are able to come will they try to get us seats together (if available) or do they just randomly assign available seats without regards to travel party. It is a short flight and it doesn't matter if we sit together or not, I am just curious.

I *HIGHLY* doubt it. I'd say there's a SLIGHT chance if you're both booked on the same reservation. I can't tell if you will book one reservation and they might book later.

Of course, all of this is worth what you've paid for it.

 

[disneychrista]

I give two pieces of advice, pick the one you want to follow...
#1 Book when you're comfortable (doesn't mean happy) with the price. If it's going to bother you if you buy and prices drop, don't look again.
#2 I'll tell you down to the minute when to get the cheapest price. In exchange, you need to give me the winning MegaMillions numbers for the next drawing. Deal?

Flights will start going back up in price as more seats get sold. That could be tomorrow, next week, next month, or the week of the trip. I would be satisfied with <$100, especially if it's RT (you don't say).

I *HIGHLY* doubt it. I'd say there's a SLIGHT chance if you're both booked on the same reservation. I can't tell if you will book one reservation and they might book later.

Of course, all of this is worth what you've paid for it.

If I had the winning lottery numbers I wouldn't be worried about the flight cost. lol I know that no one can say the flight will be the lowest on January 19th at 6:57pm Pacific Time. But I assumed there is some pattern to it. Like they say flights on Tuesdays (or whatever day) are cheaper than on Friday, etc. This is only my second time booking a flight. The last time was 20+ years ago.


I assumed they wouldn't . We won't be on the same reservation. We will each book separately. I am going regardless and don't want to wait for the other person to decide if they can come or not. And like I said it is a short flight and it doesn't matter if we are seated together or not.

 

[sam_gordon]

If I had the winning lottery numbers I wouldn't be worried about the flight cost. lol I know that no one can say the flight will be the lowest on January 19th at 6:57pm Pacific Time. But I assumed there is some pattern to it. Like they say flights on Tuesdays (or whatever day) are cheaper than on Friday, etc. This is only my second time booking a flight. The last time was 20+ years ago.


I assumed they wouldn't . We won't be on the same reservation. We will each book separately. I am going regardless and don't want to wait for the other person to decide if they can come or not. And like I said it is a short flight and it doesn't matter if we are seated together or not.

There is no pattern.

 

[happybaker]

My husband and I have flown on both Spirit and Frontier for short flights. If it's just the two of us, I don't bother paying for seats, but we been seated together each time.

 

[disneychrista]

There is no pattern.

Thank you. That is both good and bad for me. So it is like I am in Las Vegas already. Buying the ticket now and gambling that the cost won't continue to decline.

 

[easyas123]

Sounds like a decent price, if it's in or under your budget book it and move on with things.
Oh, and enjoy your trip!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Under $100 for roundtrip from/to anywhere today sure sounds good to me.

Have you used Google Flights to monitor and track?

https://www.google.com/travel/flights?

 

[Christine]

In my experience, for the places I go, 6-8 weeks out from the departure date seems to be the sweet spot (barring any holidays).

 

[disneychrista]

Under $100 for roundtrip from/to anywhere today sure sounds good to me.

Have you used Google Flights to monitor and track?

https://www.google.com/travel/flights?

Yes. I’ve been getting emails telling no me thge price has gone down or is holding stready just about everyday. I looked T something yesterday a d it looks like there have been flights for under $50/RT.

 

[peacefrogdog]

Under $100 for roundtrip from/to anywhere today sure sounds good to me.

Have you used Google Flights to monitor and track?

https://www.google.com/travel/flights?

I use this, but find that I get sent the alerts of price drops at 2 AM (EST) - by the time I see them in the morning, the supposed price is never available. Is that time of the night/early AM when prices tend to drop ?

 

[HeatherC]

For under $100 I say book now. Even if prices drop a little, that is still a great price nowadays and one which I would be comfortable with.

 

[disneychrista]

I did end up booking for the $88/RT plus $90 baggage fee for my carryon. Still cheaper than the other option, which was $228.

I have gotten alerts since I booked that the price has dropped but when I go in to check it is the same price as what I booked. I am just over 2 weeks out, so I am expecting to start seeing the flights to go up.

 

[China Expat]

I just booked round trip flights today for a September LAX-BOS trip and a December 20 BOS-LAX trip!