When to book flight for Dec 2014?

[txsoccermom]

So I book when the dates first open up, or wait and see if I can get a better price? I want the best deal, but don't want buyers' remorse! Looking at Dec 18-24, from Dallas. Would either fly on American or Southwest.

Any insight from those with past experience would be great. TIA!

 

[Jestocost]

So I book when the dates first open up, or wait and see if I can get a better price? I want the best deal, but don't want buyers' remorse! Looking at Dec 18-24, from Dallas. Would either fly on American or Southwest.

Any insight from those with past experience would be great. TIA!

In my experience for those dates the chances of getting major discounts after fares open for booking is limited. You can book on American 330 days in advance of each date (i.e. you can't book the round trip until 330 days before your return date). With SWA it's not so clear cut. If history is any guide SWA will open those dates for booking sometime in the late May/early June timeframe.

If it were me, I would start checking AA prices when they open your dates for booking then hold on until SWA releases their dates and take it from there.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I book if the price is what I am willing to pay.

 

[pigletto]

I booked for Dec 2013 in mid July. I don't think it was just when it opened up but it was shortly after. I did see the prices drop (with Southwest) during sales a few times over the months, but it was never much lower than I paid. I always say when you see what you can live with to grab it and stop looking. Earlier seems to be better, though opening day prices haven't been the best the last little while.

ETA) Our dates were Dec 13th to the 23rd from Buffalo and I think I ended up paying around $1300 for the four of us non stop, return.

 

[dis_guy]

From up here our best choice for flights to MCO is with United. With them (and most legacy carriers these days) the fares will be high when the dates first become available for booking but will drop to regular pricing within a week or ten days. That's when we usually book and in recent years have never seen a lower fare before we fly. After about Dec 20th, you'll pay more just because it's the holiday peak season. Good luck!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I always struggle with airfare and I will tell you my last experience for I just purchased for April 2014. I started trolling airfare for my dates as soon as they were released. I was able to search early because we were able to book WL 11 months out. Airfare was "reasonable" but I thought for sure it would and could only go down. When I started looking, it was in the low to mid $400's. I waited....and waited. Not only did prices go up but times, connections...they all changed too. I usually fly United and wanted a connection via Denver or Phoenix because SFO is a nightmare. Southwest was a lot more reasonable but we would have to fly out of San Jose and stay in hotel prior. Never flew Southwest before and worried about sitting together, especially at connection times. If it was just me and my husband, I'd chance Southwest but not with my daughter. United airfare only continued to climb and what gets me is that they may "drop" airfare for one leg of your trip (ex: going to MCO) but then it almost doubled on return. That was the case even when I was checking very early out. Ended up going with a different airline and paid more but I budgeted for it and at the end of the day, the more direct route, better times and staying out of SFO was worth the extra money. But it would of been nice to find a "bargain." I think finding a bargain is going to be harder and harder. It's been on the news lately about the carriers putting in more seats! Unbelievable, we're packed in like sardines already. Note: we are flying during Easter/Spring Break so take that into consideration. Holiday airfare is always difficult, especially Christmas. Do your research, jump on it when you find a price you're comfortable with.