When to book flights?

[chloe77]

How far in advance do most people book flights? My cruise for April 2014 is booked, my room at the Hyatt Orlando Airport the night before is booked, and I'm not sure whether to make flight reservations now or if it's not a good idea to book this early. Thoughts?

 

[dahuffy]

I'm the type of person that doesn't like to wait until the last minute to do anything. I like to have my flights booked at least 6 months ahead.

 

[gr8estg8r]

When possible always book southwest. I booked a week ago and the price came down and then rebooked today at the lower cost and got.an instant refund with no additional charges. Good luck.I am cruising in December.

 

[Cruisefan2]

Around the 6th month range is usually when we book our flights as well. Still far enough out to get good deals but close enough to see all of your available options.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I don't know what airline you're planning to use but Southwest is accepting reservations through March so you'd need to wait awhile with them.

 

[Luv2Diz]

I try to book ours 3-6 months in advance. I've read that 6 weeks prior is a good time to buy as prices "can" be lower at this point. That's cutting it too close for me, though!

 

[jjje]

I've also heard that six weeks out from a flight is the best time to buy tickets. I can't ever wait that long though. It makes me too nervous!

 

[Cruisefan2]

Also many travel websites offer insight on the price trends. Thus letting you know if you should wait for prices to drop on your flight or book before they rise. I know kayak, google and bing offer that for sure.

 

[SigalTchelet]

When possible always book southwest. I booked a week ago and the price came down and then rebooked today at the lower cost and got.an instant refund with no additional charges. Good luck.I am cruising in December.

I completely agree. I got awesome deals on SW! Every Tuesday they have sales. You just have to wait until the schedule is released for the dates you want.

 

[luv2sleep]

How far in advance do most people book flights? My cruise for April 2014 is booked, my room at the Hyatt Orlando Airport the night before is booked, and I'm not sure whether to make flight reservations now or if it's not a good idea to book this early. Thoughts?

I like to fly Virgin America RT direct from LAX. Those flights are lowest when they are released 6 months out so I book then.

 

[Dug720]

When possible always book southwest. I booked a week ago and the price came down and then rebooked today at the lower cost and got.an instant refund with no additional charges. Good luck.I am cruising in December.

If JetBlue is an option for you, they do the same thing. AND you can pick your own seat ahead of time. And yes, your first bag flies free as well.

eta: The difference in cost goes into a "travel bank" for you for the future. I've had as much as $95 combined in credit!

 

[twopeasonepod]

The best prices are usually when the fares are released -- 330 days out. After that, it's all a game. You should check and recheck flights often. Tuesdays are when the discounts come out. The six week mark is definitely a time when prices drop, but you have to be able to play the game and not stress out about not having a flight until then. And it still probably won't be as cheap as the 330 day price.

Can you tell I fly a lot? haha

 

[luv2sleep]

The best prices are usually when the fares are released -- 330 days out. After that, it's all a game. You should check and recheck flights often. Tuesdays are when the discounts come out. The six week mark is definitely a time when prices drop, but you have to be able to play the game and not stress out about not having a flight until then. And it still probably won't be as cheap as the 330 day price.

Can you tell I fly a lot? haha

Depends on the airline. Southwest and Virgin don't release until 6 mos out. I agree though about purchasing the earlier the better. Always cheaper at first release.

 

[Cruisefan2]

Some Arline's typically the discount airlines don't release their dates far out (ex. Southwest 6 months). However other carriers like delta or united usually release around the 10-11 month mark. The prices will tend to be higher then because there is less completion and low cost carriers like southwest are not competing with cheaper fares.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

When possible always book southwest. I booked a week ago and the price came down and then rebooked today at the lower cost and got.an instant refund with no additional charges. Good luck.I am cruising in December.

SW doesn't give refunds, you get credit to use within a year of booking the original flight.

 

[Bree]

When in April is your cruise? We are on the 04/19/2014 (Easter) Fantasy cruise. JetBlue released their dates to book up until 04/30/2014 on July 14th. Within 3 days all the best flight times for the three closest airports to me were sold out or doubled in price!

 

[chloe77]

When in April is your cruise? We are on the 04/19/2014 (Easter) Fantasy cruise. JetBlue released their dates to book up until 04/30/2014 on July 14th. Within 3 days all the best flight times for the three closest airports to me were sold out or doubled in price!

April 26th Western Fantasy. Looks like we will miss you by a week!

 

[DeniseMarie526]

When in April is your cruise? We are on the 04/19/2014 (Easter) Fantasy cruise. JetBlue released their dates to book up until 04/30/2014 on July 14th. Within 3 days all the best flight times for the three closest airports to me were sold out or doubled in price!

Hey Bree! Have you joined the Easter 2014 cruise thread yet?

 

[dllocals]

We start looking at prices ASAP. We track prices for destinations as they come available, around 330 days before. You may get a deal if you play the waiting game, you may not. We are flying non stop out of LA on December 26th, about $350 per person round trip. We booked each way separately right at 330 days. Today, 5 months before, the same flight it over $1000 per person. If you find a reasonable fare, grab it!

 

[luv2sleep]

We start looking at prices ASAP. We track prices for destinations as they come available, around 330 days before. You may get a deal if you play the waiting game, you may not. We are flying non stop out of LA on December 26th, about $350 per person round trip. We booked each way separately right at 330 days. Today, 5 months before, the same flight it over $1000 per person. If you find a reasonable fare, grab it!

What airline?

I always wait for Virgin America for their service and in flight entertainment. It's also RT nonstop and we got RT flights for two from LAX to MCO for $675 when they came out. Super cheap!