Best Time to buy airfare

[batyah]

Is it cheaper to get airfare after Christmas or now for a trip during Presidents week in February, 18th to 25th.

Also, any suggestions on websites for packages if one person in the group is a non-diver.

 

[scubajoe]

Welcome to the board!

Joe

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Welcome to the Board. You ask a question with no real answer. Its like the line at the supermarket. I always choose the one with slowest clerk/customers. It seems like whenever I but my airfare it goes on sale the next week for one-third less than what I paid!

 

[Doc]

You ask a question with no real answer.

There is an answer, but the "little man behind the curtain" isn't telling us!

After living with a lady for 5 years that does this kind of voodoo for a living, I can tell you that I still have no idea how they price out seats and revenue using chicken bones and tea leaves.

Not a clue.

Neither do they.

I think that's why they're all in trouble.

Don't forget the universal surcharge gas tax add on 911 woompa-loompa fee.

If you ask for a Bistro Bag one more time there's a Sky Marshal on board with a double naught rating. So, do you feel lucky?

The best time to buy airfare? Yesterday, or maybe tomorrow, but certainly not today

 

[Rinkopr]

How much are they now? Are you willing to pay more if they were to go up in the comming weeks? Do you like to gamble? How much are you willing to pay? Do you care if you have good seat selection and do you want to sit together? Is this destination one that is busy this time of year? Are you willing to cancel the trip if the prices go up rather than down? Would you be willing to pay more for seats that will not be taken from you in an over sold situation?

Just some of the same questions I ask every time I travel....

 

[devolution365]

I just went through the airfare shuffle myself. I tracked the cost of airfare from Chicago to Miami for over a month before buying. Some said that after the 60th day before your flight the cost goes down (not true). It fluctuates a lot. I found that it dipped a few times on Thursdays -weird. I'm planning on possible picking a few flights a year in advance and tracking the price throughout the year to see if there's any rhyme/reason to the pricing games. Anyway, I tracked the price along with the available seats -because I was buying 7 tickets at once and wanted the group seated near each other I had to buy earlier than I would have if it was just my fiance and I. But, by tracking the prices I knew I got an "average" deal. (Prices fluctuated about $150.) I think the closer to the flight date, the better the price, but you take a gamble on availability -espeically if you're picky about where you're seated or keeping a group together.

Also, use travel sites like Orbitz to find a flight, but book directly with the airline. It usually saves you $10/$20 per ticket.

My 2¢

 

[divetraveler]

-Most major carriers raise their rates on the weekends and then lower them during the week so Wednesday is often the best day to buy.
-Sales usually start about 60-90 days out but you date may not be on sale if it is during peak travel time.
-It may be less expensive to book direct with the carrier as other sites charge a ten dollar fee.
-If all else fails check with a consolidator, several of which can be found on the fodors or frommers websites.
-monitor the fare for about a week and you'll get a feel for the price.
-good luck and happy travels, safe dives.

 

[Rick Inman]

I spent some time online playing with departure/return times, days, length of trip, etc, and finally booked a flight that saved me over $200.00 by departing on Christmas Eve at 5:30am and returning New Years Eve (morning) at 2:15am.

Cheapest flight was found on Expedia.

 

[Lisa0825]

My travel agent told me last time I booked with her that if a price goes down, she can change my reservation and get me the lower price. Not sure if all agents can do that, or if she can it it with all airlines.

 

[ShakaZulu]

Not even sure why we still have travel agents, what are they good for. I'm going to South Africa in January 7, and they quoted me a ticket between $2500 and $4500. Went to cheaptickets.com and got the ticket for $1600.00?