When to book airline?

[bethbuchall]

Hi, all! I'm pretty new around here, but I'm learning so much from all of the experts!

We don't travel much, and airfare always confuses me. When do you think is the best time to book the airplane for our May 2004 trip. If I look on Expedia now, I can get a flight from Binghamton, NY to MCO for $226/person RT. One thing that worries me is that the first leg is going to be in a small plane (20-40 seats depending on the airline), and I worry that the best fares will sell out quickly. Especially since I need 5 tickets.

Are there best times to book when the fares will be at the lowest? It is a little scary to book this far in advance, because so much can happen between now and May 2004 (loss of job, health changes, etc).

Thanks in advance for any advice that you have!

Beth

 

[therealgoofy]

It's really a crap shoot with booking airlines. I booked mine 4 months in advance for Sept 22 at $225/ticket and just today I saw that a different airline had a special for $150/ticket. That's a big difference, but I was comforted in the fact that I had tickets for the last couple of months. I would have probably been a wreak if I had to sweat it out everday on the internet waiting for the right deal.

tRG

 

[diznee25]

It's really a crap shoot with booking airlines.

Agreed! I've been looking at Expedia for the past 3 months for our flight in December. For the past 3 months, up until last week, the airfare was high. Just checked again today and and the airfare has decreased by $130!! So of course I booked it about 2 hours ago!

Beth,

My advice would be to wait and keep an eye on prices. Check those websites daily. (Expedia, etc.) I just found great airfare 4 months prior to my trip. From what I've experienced, some of the best airfare prices will show 2 to 4 months prior to your trip. You still have some time before next May. Just keep an eye out.

Diznee25

 

[C.Ann]

You might also want to consider driving up to Albany, NY and flying out of there instead.. Southwest runs some FANTASTIC deals every now and then and it would certainly be worth the trip up if it saved you a few hundred bucks!!

As for "when", I don't think I'd worry much about it until January or so..

Good luck! And welcome to the boards!!

 

[hulabird]

I always book my airfare as soon as I find a price that I think I won't get again...last year I booked from chicago for me and DH for $264.00 rt complete, when I saw that I figured I wouldn't get much lower, so I grabbed it. I usually check SW and also use Orbitz to check everything...but I usually book from the airline site and not orbitz or expedia because the actual airline site is always cheaper.

 

[Canadian Kelly]

I think 3-4 months is a safe bet also. I booked 4 months ago for the end of August and have not found a cheaper flight. The prices have actually went up! I booked for $230 from Syracuse with taxes and fees. Check with www.orlando.com, they work with 'travel.now' and they had the best rates for me. The flight is with United. I do have to connect in Washington but that's ok with us.