When to Buy Airline Tickets

[Hockeyfan17]

Hi there. I have a question for those that have flown out of the US (Buffalo) or those who have a good general knowledge of Airline ticket prices. I am going in August, and for my dates, Southwest Airlines is releasing their next block of dates for flights on January 22nd. Looking at the prices listed, I am guessing that they will be about $139 one way (they seem to be this price for most days leading up to the August 10 final date they have for sale now). I have also been tracking Jet Blue's prices, and for my date, a one way ticket is priced at $279. Should I buy my flights right away at $139, or wait in the hopes that they will go (maybe $99?). Could it be that my date is very popular and that I will be paying a high cost, or are Jet Blue's prices just high because Southwest has not put their seats on sale yet? Any help is appreciated. Cheers.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Hi Hockeyfan17. We are staying at POR from the 21-28 too. I have my flights already. I booked Jetblue out of Buffalo back in early december cause I was pondering the same questions about waiting for southwest or not. I decided I couldn't take the wait and I bought.

My flights on Jetblue have increased in price from what I paid. I know I got one way for $129 and the other way for $139. I can't remember which was what price. I'm happy with the times and the flights are direct so I gambled and booked it. Jetblue still has some flights for $129 but they aren't direct at that price.

The things I like about jetblue are the individual TV's that make my flight much more enjoyable since the kids are happy. They have a first bag free policy plus you actually have assigned seats on jetblue. My kids even though they are older now are not crazy about southwest's loading procedures. I suspect they are holding onto old memories when we were seperated once. Long story. I won't bore you with it here.

I'll be watching southwest when they open up too. I suspect the deals we have seen in the past for flights under $99 will be rare. My educated guess is that they will start at $129. But they won't stay there for long. When southwest first opens up you might see the other airlines dip back down to compete but again that won't be for long so you have to act fast.

I don't think that you've picked a really popular date. Tuesdays are usually the cheapest to travel on because no one really wants to go that day. My advice would be that since you're so close to the opening date to wait it out until southwest opens but head on over to the transportation board to find out if anyone knows what time they open up. You'll need to be prepared to book immediatly. Don't wait until even a few hours or the price will go up. If you get anything under $150 each way then it's not really a deal but if it's direct and a good time then maybe it's not so hard to swallow. Anything under $130 then it's a deal and anything under $109 is an amazing deal.

Have you checked out any other airlines like united, or even flying from the niagara airport? If you're not familiar with it check out kayak.com to compare the airlines. Just remember to add the baggage fee when you're comparing prices. United and Continental and American charge for the first bag while jetblue and southwest don't.

I wish you good luck. Let me know how it turns out. Feel free to PM if you have any other questions.

Diamond