when to buy airline tickets

[phillmolly]

HELP!!! We are going to WDW in September, (we got free dining, saved almost $1200!! yeah!!) and I don't know when to buy my plane tickets. I have read so much that I am confused. Do I buy now, or do I wait untill last minute for the best price. We really want non-stop because we will be travling with an infant. We are flying out of Detroit Metro and we have to go Saturday to Saturday. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, Thank you!!

 

[Jestocost]

I would suggest a quick check of a site like Expedia or Travelocity that will show you fares on several different airlines. Whatever you do, don't buy from them. They charge a fee over and above what the airline charges on their site, but this will give you a starting point to evaluate prices as they come up.

The less flexibility you have in terms of dates, times, non-stops, etc. the earlier you should CONSIDER booking. However, fare sales and lower prices don't typically start to come out until about five months out. It's always a balancing act (aka a crap shoot) to get the flights you want/need at the best rate.

I think AirTran has some $118 round trip fares from DTW to MCO in September (no seat assignments until 24 hours in advance, however. That seems to be a good rate (the best thing I have for October from STL is $300+). Non-stops are 8:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. going and 10:00 a.m. or 6:15 p.m. returning.

 

[bavaria]

when to buy airline tickets?

when the price is acceptable to you