When to buy airline tix for June/July 2022

[Goldelpack]

The following applies: Departing from NY(LGA) on June 27 - prefer earliest non stop. Returning on July 7th (from MCO)- prefer latest nonstop. Prefer Delta (saving up DeltaMiles) That's a 7:10am departure and 10am arrival... Leaving would be 6:59pm since that is the latest flight.
Will upgrade to at least "comfort" from cabin. Currently RT is showing at $588 for this. According to googleflights it's "high" - but that may be my choices of time and upgrade - how do I know if this may potentially change up or down? I'm looking for tips on how to know when to buy - I see all sorts of advice online but not sure how accurate it is. I would prefer not to pay MORE and have an idea if it could be less!

 

[sam_gordon]

The following applies: Departing from NY(LGA) on June 27 - prefer earliest non stop. Returning on July 7th (from MCO)- prefer latest nonstop. Prefer Delta (saving up DeltaMiles) That's a 7:10am departure and 10am arrival... Leaving would be 6:59pm since that is the latest flight.
Will upgrade to at least "comfort" from cabin. Currently RT is showing at $588 for this. According to googleflights it's "high" - but that may be my choices of time and upgrade - how do I know if this may potentially change up or down? I'm looking for tips on how to know when to buy - I see all sorts of advice online but not sure how accurate it is. I would prefer not to pay MORE and have an idea if it could be less!

1. It may potentially go down.
2. It may potentially go up.
3. ANY advice you get here (or anywhere online) you should know is based on that poster's experience. Where they flew from, where they flew to, when their departing flight was, and when their returning flight was.

My standard answer to this question is "I'll tell you EXACTLY when to book, down to the second. There's only one condition... you have to give me the next set of WINNING Powerball numbers. Deal?"

I'm hoping you've been stalking airfare. We are planning a trip to Florida in July for a cruise. I've been stalking airfare since it came out. That told me what the price range is for MY particular conditions. Here's the chart from Google Flights:


Unfortunately, I did not bite on the $275. I really wish I did. I did bite at the $292 (the second time). I was hoping they'd drop to $250 (which is why I didn't get the $275). But, I *THINK* costs will continue to rise as we get out of covid and people make plans for travel.

No one can tell you what the prices will do. You need to book at a price that's comfortable to you. You might be able to save money by changing airport or accepting a connecting flight. If it's going to bother you to find out prices dropped after you book, there's a way to solve that... once you book, don't look again. What you don't know, can't hurt you.

Also, no matter what flight you book, the further out from the departure date you are, the more likely that Delta will make a schedule change. That can work for you. If they change the departure or arrival time by an hour(?) or more, you can change to any flight that day originating and arriving at the same airports at no charge. You'll want to call Delta for that.

 

[sam_gordon]

More info... doing a quick search on Google flights,
June 27
11:25A-2:03P
LGA - MCO
Non Stop
DL 1592

July 7
7:59P-10:40P
MCO-LGA
Non Stop
DL 1660

$316 Main Cabin
$481 Comfort+

IMO, while Comfort+ is nice, to save $165/ticket, it's not worth it to me for <3 hours of flight time.

 

[Lewisc]

Statistics suggest booking 30-60 days prior to departure typically produces the lowest fares. BUT you're looking to book a specific airline, exact date and really an exact flight.

I'd book sooner rather then later, unless you're more flexible

 

[_19disnA]

People ask this type of question all the time and there is really no reliable way to answer it. Which cities are involved, what airlines services those cities and your personal preferences matter (i.e. prefer non-stop, specific time of day, seating). When a given flight sells out the lowest priced seats, the fare jumps to the next higher category. There may/may not ever be a 'sale' offered for that particular flight, there is no way to know that ahead of time.

 

[Goldelpack]

Thank you all. Great points. I know I can potentially save lots by changing my desired parameters - but with all things being equal I just wondered if there was a method to the madness of deals. The next 4 flights I already have booked are all 1st class - and that is solely based on my desire to not be surrounded by 2 people (and I don't remove my N95 mask aboard the plane) - when I booked them I selected Comfort and later upgraded - for these last 2 flights I could go back to regular but my last 2 flights were comfort and I decided it was worth it because my body ached way less in those seats.
Since it is months away, I'll just keep on tracking the price and if it does go up I can revert to booking a normal seat. Again, thanks!

 

[spiders]

I think fares are only going to go up for the summer. People are traveling and international is beginning to show signs of life.

I booked for June in December. I used miles to go to Bozeman. 52k for first class. It is now 90k for the same flights.

I just got back from Phoenix. A330-300 both ways — that’s a 300 seat widebody. Both flights were completely full.

Buy when you feel comfortable. I will also say that on Delta, you can modify your flights and select the exact same flights if the price goes down and you’ll get a credit. Actually, the last time I did it, I flat out got a refund. However, I know you said you’re going to book Comfort+ so if you do that make, make sure you book Comfort+ initially and not a post-purchase upgrade because I don’t think you’ll get that back.

 

[Goldelpack]

snip
Buy when you feel comfortable. I will also say that on Delta, you can modify your flights and select the exact same flights if the price goes down and you’ll get a credit. Actually, the last time I did it, I flat out got a refund. However, I know you said you’re going to book Comfort+ so if you do that make, make sure you book Comfort+ initially and not a post-purchase upgrade because I don’t think you’ll get that back.

Very good points. ok. seems bottom line is to buy when able and dates, etc are known because fares are variable and no way to know how they'll swing.
thank you all!

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Based on your flights and current loads, I'd be shocked if they didn't go down in price. If it was me I'd set up Google flight price alerts for each one way as well as round trip. I book all my trips as one ways. If one leg goes down I book it. Then wait for the other.

This far out, if I was the OP, I would wait.

 

[MillauFr]

Buy now. The price will only go up.

 

[gparr]

I booked my first July trip last month - Jet Blue down from RIC and Southwest back - Jet Blue was $142 and SW was $81.

Just booked my second July trip with Jet Blue - $298 R/T. I was good with that.

 

[Goldelpack]

When I first selected my dates/preferences it was $588 r/t - a few days ago I booked it. Today it's coming up as $576 which isn't really enough for me to change it just yet. My questions however were answered extremely well...
................. there's basically no way to know if flights will go up, down, change, etc.. so book when comfortable!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There's no way to answer that. I buy tickets as soon as I get a price I can live with.

 

[VandVsmama]

Buy now.

 

[Goldelpack]

Fun update: The price I initially saw held for at least a week.. I purchased it at $588. Yesterday (wed 2/24) it dropped to $576 and I figured I'd keep watching. Today it's $614 . Lesson I learned is to buy as soon as the price seems okay.

 

[lynnfitz]

I'm checking for July now as well, running about $500 per person, ouch!!

 

[nana1765]

I’m booking for 10 ppl phl to mco.. 7/23-7/30. Just looking now, I’ve been holding off because I’ve experienced schedule changes in the past, trying not to have to deal with that with 10 ppl. I’d prefer Delta, but AA is the only nonstop from Philly to mco. I’ve also read Tuesday is the best time to book as the prices could be lower. ( not sure why)

 

[sam_gordon]

I’m booking for 10 ppl phl to mco.. 7/23-7/30. Just looking now, I’ve been holding off because I’ve experienced schedule changes in the past, trying not to have to deal with that with 10 ppl. I’d prefer Delta, but AA is the only nonstop from Philly to mco. I’ve also read Tuesday is the best time to book as the prices could be lower. ( not sure why)

If you get everyone on the same ticket, you shouldn't have to worry about schedule changes (at least as far as separating your party).

I REALLY REALLY think prices will continue to rise. Covid seems to be going into the Endemic stage and people are going to want to travel. Gas prices are going up (yes, airlines have contracts, but that won't stop them from raising prices to hedge against the higher prices they'll eventually pay). I'm not saying "book now" if you have summer plans, but I'd be ready to pull the trigger. Check airfare every day, if not multiple times a day.

 

[nana1765]

Thank you!!

 

[Goldelpack]

The following applies: Departing from NY(LGA) on June 27 - prefer earliest non stop. Returning on July 7th (from MCO)- prefer latest nonstop. Prefer Delta (saving up DeltaMiles) That's a 7:10am departure and 10am arrival... Leaving would be 6:59pm since that is the latest flight.
Will upgrade to at least "comfort" from cabin. Currently RT is showing at $588 for this. According to googleflights it's "high" - but that may be my choices of time and upgrade - how do I know if this may potentially change up or down? I'm looking for tips on how to know when to buy - I see all sorts of advice online but not sure how accurate it is. I would prefer not to pay MORE and have an idea if it could be less!

Just to add.. I ended up booking at the $588 price point (again, this is a comfort plus so main cabin is approx. $200 less) Not long after I booked, the price went down by a small amount - maybe $25 - and then rose and has remained at $644 round trip up to today. ($449 - Main cabin) With current events being unpredictable, it's probably not very likely prices would drop. I also realized I have 4 other flights that I never bothered to review after purchase.. must do!