When to get airline tix?

[Promomx2]

DD is due on Feb 3 and lives about 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh. I'll be flying out of Richmond. The plan is for me to fly up a few days before she delivers (yea, I know-we have now idea). I can get flights on airtran for about $72 but I don't know whether to book something now or just play it by ear. I also have a ds 15 at home so I don't want to go up too early. Guess I'm just starting to freak out cause I am a control freak when it comes to a trip and this trip I have no control. I'm also leaning on waiting to book about 1 week before so I can check the weather. Can I still get a cheap rate that close to the date?

 

[prncess674]

What is the difference in fare between booking now on the expected dates and just booking a 1 day advance fare using today's date? Can you afford the short term booking fare? Are you on an airline that allows free rebookings?

 

[Promomx2]

The cheapest ($72) is airtran and that's a $75 fee to change. But there's about 5 different carriers that I can take. Which ones have no fee to change?