when to book flights?

[stal]

Hi, when do you recommend booking flights to Orlando for next October. I know that they arn't on sale yet, but should i get them ASAP or wait a while.
This year we booked flights for October in July.

Also, does anyone know of any websites that allow you to book multi stop flights?

thanks alot.

 

[steve_rob]

As you're not flying during school holidays (although there is a half-term week in October come to think of it) I don't think you need rush to book as they won't sell out any time soon.

I've found from previous trips that prices on the internet tend to start to fall about 6 months before your departure date, so if you can wait, hold off until then. Although get yourself a price quote now so you can see whether they have come down or not (a mistake I made once - forgot the original price!)

As for multi-stop holidays, the big 3 websites in my opinion (Expedia, Opodo and E-bookers) all will do them, but E-bookers will only accept them via e-mail and then mail you back with a price. With Opodo it is all done on-line, but you have to choose what flights you want BEFORE it will give you a price. Expedia is the easiest as it will give you quotes on various airlines for the closest matches to your schedule FIRST and then give you the chance to edit your flight times to see if you can come up with something better.

 

[Hilary]

I think the big question here is when in October do you plan to travel?

If your trip is for October half term, and you can't be flexible about the dates, you should book a.s.a.p in my opinion.

If, on the other hand, you're planning to avoid half term and can be flexible about airlines, routes, etc. then you should be able to afford to wait quite a while.

 

[stal]

we will be going at half term.... i think that is about the 23rd - 30th ish?

we flew this half term for about £500 each not direct when we booked in july, and we want to get much cheaper fares!

 

[steve_rob]

I'm surprised at the price being that high. Okay, so I didn't go half-term week, but this October I got £350 each as the best price for non-direct flights (about £450 was the highest) and direct flights came in at around £500-550. We booked middle of April through Expedia if that helps any.

 

[edie w]

If you want half term week, book as early as possible. A couple of years ago we left it til the March before the October and there was nothing but charters to Sanford or indirect flights available, and none on the days we wanted.

You can book charters now, by the way, but have to wait til 11 months before to book schedules.

£500 sounds a bit pricey unless you're flying Virgin, but not way over the top.

 

[Hilary]

Originally posted by steve_rob
I'm surprised at the price being that high. Okay, so I didn't go half-term week........

Unfortunately for anyone who has to travel around the school holiday dates, this can make a huge difference to the prices.

Next Easter we have saved over £300 each for our fly-drive tickets by being able to travel three days before the price hike for the school holiday dates. That much difference for a couple of days is great if you can take advantage of it, but pretty grim if you're not able to be flexible because of school committments.

 

[Sallieanne]

I rang BA today to book our flights for the last 2 weeks in Oct 2004 (as shareholders we enjoy a 10% discount off published fares) To my dismay there are only 30 seats left on a flight that was only released TODAY - the guy I spoke to said they must have "block booked" by travel agents etc!! Consequently the cheapest seats left are £622+ each!!!! (BA release cheapest seats first then they get dearer as seats are fewer)
I am gutted!! Rang Virgin who don't release their scheduled flights for another few weeks, but their flydrive prices were also £600+ plus £500+ for the car!!
What is going on?????? I could fly to Oz and back for the same money!!!
Now my dilemma is: do I pay thru' the nose or wait & chance it. I only want DIRECT flights as there are 7 of us & 9hrs is long enough! Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[Enright78]

To be honest if you want school hol times then I think you are stuck with costly flights if you want direct. we got AA via New York for half term this year and they cost about £440 each, I think I got a bargain!!

You could try the consolidators who advertise in the back of Sunday travel supplements.
We have used Travelbag, Trailfinders and ebookers and been pleased with each.