When to book flights?

[JCinMN]

For March spring break in Minnesota, I've found the best prices about 8 months in advance and we usually book in July, but I monitor the prices from a year out and book when they start inching up. Supply and demand for the high season has proven that the cost will not go down for us if we wait. Good luck!

 

[Castillo Mom]

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!

I agree, we usually get the best deal for direct flights out of LAX by booking at about 330 days out. I hate playing airfare Russian Roulette which we did once and ended up having to fly out of SNA on a connecting flight.

 

[twopeasonepod]

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.

Good point! SW doesn't fly here so I have absolutely no experience with them. Wish I did, though -- everyone loves them! I should've qualified that we fly United exclusively.

 

[Bree]

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

Yes, I have! I'm in the Facebook group too

 

[NurseDave]

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.

Oooh, I didn't know they didn't release until 6 months out. I went to buy our tickets for next year a month ago and thought Virgin must have stopped their nonstop from SFO to MCO.

 

[luv2sleep]

Oooh, I didn't know they didn't release until 6 months out. I went to buy our tickets for next year a month ago and thought Virgin must have stopped their nonstop from SFO to MCO.

Yes. I called them and that's what they told me.

 

[Dave2425]

We booked our tickets yesterday on Southwest for a Feb 27th flight back to MSP. The fares for that day were released 2-3 days ago and the Wanna Get Away fares for all flights are already sold out.

 

[AquaDame]

We got our flights for MLK weekend (both one ways mind you) just last week and got a screaming deal. Probably won't be looking for our October flights until spring.