When to buy?

[Mom B]

I suppose this has been asked over and over but I couldn't find anything on it...if we're traveling from minneapolis mn to orlando, january 7 - 17, 2010, what's the best time to buy airfare? Of course I've been watching it go up and down for a couple of months now, but how do you know when to take the plunge? Any tips out there? TIA!

 

[VAN]

Ooo - that's a hard one. Sometimes discounts are announced for that time period later in the fall, but not always.

I jumped on a fare for September several months ago, and then the price went down ... could have saved $75 on the two tickets. Well, it's a crap shoot, isn't it.

Take a look at what the fares are now and if you see something out there that is close to the lower fares, jump on it. Once you do buy, however, they will be adjusting the flights so what you originally purchased may change. Just keep checking your itinerary every month so you can call and get things adjusted.

 

[taliategan]

Leaving Orlando on a Sunday (1/17) will probably be a tough date to get a good fare since there is usually a higher demand for flights out of Orlando on that day. If you see a fare that seems goods for that date you may want to buy that now. You may have a better chance of getting a better fare for your 1/7 flight date if you wait.

 

[Missytara]

It is a crap shoot, like anything else. You just have to take the plunge.

It is kinda like locking in on a rate for a mortgage, if you have ever done that. You just wait and wait, thinking that you are going to get a better rate, and greed gets the better of ya! Suddenly it goes up a half point, and you know what happens then. Your mortgage payment is out of reach.

I got my airfare for Nov.28th through Dec. 5th about two months ago. It went down to $172.00 roundtrip, non-stop both ways and I didn't think it could go any lower, so I jumped on it. I told my dad the next day, and he asked me if I was sure I wasn't sitting on the wing - LOL.

My two friends got on the next day and it went up to $202.00. Still good.

We are almost 16 weeks out, and today, the plane is almost completely full and it is up to $350.00 round trip. I am glad I did it when I did!

 

[uva185]

I wouldn't buy a ticket any earlier than mid October. I bet you could still get a good price if you purchased in December. That is a slow travel period, kids are back in school, and many families are cutting back after splurging on Christmas. There will be low fares released.

 

[debbiedana]

I agree with uva!!!

The best way to know if you are getting a good deal is to constantly check airfares on that route. That way you'll know what's good, what's bad, and what's going on.

I generally find the best airfares 6-8 weeks before I depart.

 

[lionmouse]

We too fly from MSP to MCO- twice a year usually- have never gone in January, but my rule of thumb is start checking many months out and see what is out there- I know what I think is a reasonable price and when I see it, I buy- have already booked for April of 2010- I may miss a few price cuts, but the non stop flights and times of day are pretty important

Good Luck!