When to book airline tickets

[kirbsam]

I am taking my family and parents to WDW at end of October 2005. There will be six of us in our party. I want to book an airline soon enough to ensure there will be room on the airline, but I want to make sure that I am not going to overpay. If I book tickets, and lower fares come out, am i stuck with the higher fares? If I wait for lower fares, the capacity of the airline may not be able to seat all six of us. Opinions, please.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

This is a problem that most of us face. If you book too early the fares may come down......then again they may go up so you're OK. If they go down most airlines will charge you a fee to change so that will wipe out a lot (if not all) potential savings.
Another problem when booking many months in advance is that airlines are constantly changing their schedules. It happened to us and I have read other posts where their arrival and or departure times have changed. Sometimes the time changes are minor but sometimes they make a big impact. I do believe that if the airline adjusts your flight time they will allow you to change to another flight without the normal charge. This is probably only for a major time change.
Bottom line is.....there is no easy answer. If you do not have too many flight options it may make sense to book early. If you have options it may make more sense to wait.

 

[kirbsam]

Thank you for the quick reply wdwgoofeeee. I was figuring on the same thing, but never having planned a vacation so far in advance, I was not sure. I have a realistic fee in mind and will wait until I see it and book then and not look back.