How far in advance do you buy plane tix

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » June 23, 2008 7:52 am

I'm going to fla at the end of August and the Dominican Republic in Feb. I"m pricing tix and wondering whether I should grab them now before the price climbs any more or if I should wait because it will drop?

sunseeker · Post by **sunseeker** » June 23, 2008 8:05 am

My thoughts?

We here on the east coast can always get cheap flights to florida. Especially in August...those prices probably won't change much either way.

However, with the DR in Feb, buy it now if its cheap. Those are only bound to go up as people try to escape the cold in Feb

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » June 23, 2008 8:10 am

As soon as I decide I am traveling I buy. Of course it depends on the airline you choose. Airline prices and "hidden fees" will continue to increase. Perhaps if you purchase now you could at least avoid new fees that get added later. The airlines are losing money now. They need higher prices to stop the bleeding (or considerably lower fuel costs). With everyone cutting services and flights. I think at this point best is to purchase early.

blackjack · Post by **blackjack** » June 23, 2008 9:05 am

OCGirl,

Watch www.spiritair.com for their "sales" out of Atlantic City. If you haven't already, aign up for the e-mail alerts.

We've gotten sopme good deals from them.

alaura1974 · Post by **alaura1974** » June 23, 2008 10:33 am

OceanCityGirl wrote:I'm going to fla at the end of August and the Dominican Republic in Feb. I"m pricing tix and wondering whether I should grab them now before the price climbs any more or if I should wait because it will drop?

buy both now........ especially if you are looking at the week of the 14th of Feb for the Dominican....... HUGE vacation week that week.

And Fl, I would buy now also before more fuel surcharges are implemented.

I have been a travel agent for 8 years now....... so from past experience those prices are only going to go up, not down!

Brown Eyed Girl · Post by **Brown Eyed Girl** » June 23, 2008 10:38 am

I agree, buy now. With the state of the airlines I just don't see prices dropping but I sure do see them increasing. Fares went up another 80 bucks last week alone. Plus if they add surcharges after you buy your ticket (like baggage fees etc) you're protected from that fee increase on many airlines. Of course that could change in a heartbeat, but for now that's how it stands. Airline travel will soon be like the old days...only the very wealthy or business people will be able to fly.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » June 23, 2008 10:44 am

prices will only continue to rise, buy now

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » June 23, 2008 10:45 am

Also, use a credit card and purchase the tickets from a carrier you think will still be flying when you want to travel. Rumor has it that some of the discount carriers are in trouble...Some of the legacy carriers are also in trouble.

STL PARROTHEAD · Post by **STL PARROTHEAD** » June 23, 2008 10:54 am

Skibo wrote:Also, use a credit card and purchase the tickets from a carrier you think will still be flying when you want to travel. Rumor has it that some of the discount carriers are in trouble...Some of the legacy carriers are also in trouble.

THAT'S what I seem to worry about these days.......

I usually buy when I decide to travel. I'm afraid the price will go up too much if I wait.

Although, first time ever this happend to me..... I slacked booking our Vegas trip, and when I finally did, I hit a $90 sale!!

now, that was cool!

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » June 23, 2008 11:05 am

I was reading an article the other day, and they said that the best time price-wise to buy tickets was 2-8 weeks before flying.

Any earlier and prices tended to be higher.

Of course, with the oil issue, who knows.

You can use www.farecast.com to get an idea.

CrznDnUS1 · Post by **CrznDnUS1** » June 23, 2008 11:08 am

We usually buy as early as possible since the farthest out gives you the best prices. Although I always wanted to buy last minute to see if there are cuts, but never tried that yet. Also Spirit Air is great for going to FL since the airport is so small and you can park almost in front of the terminal. Also security is very fast at AC.

BottleofRum · Post by **BottleofRum** » June 23, 2008 11:53 am

Some say Wednesday from midnight to 1a.m. in the time zone of the airline's headquarters. This is when the systems of most airlines get rid of the reserved but unbooked lower fare reservations.

Others say it is a myth...

aeroparrot · Post by **aeroparrot** » June 23, 2008 12:39 pm

If you know you're going to be there in August, and you find a cheap airline price for the time you're going, I would reserve it right away.

The Lost Manatee · Post by **The Lost Manatee** » June 23, 2008 12:40 pm

Be very wary of buying tickets on Spirit as they seem to be having trouble. They announced earlier this month, that they are likely to lay off as many as 60% of their flight crews and reduce service to many destinations.

As a rule of thumb, 6 months is a nice advance purchase for airline tickets. This year is likely to prove to be the exception given that everyone is projecting that the price of fuel will continue to rise and that will force airfares to go up significantly. I read that two weeks ago the cost of fuel between LAX and New York City was $299.00 per passenger and that last week it was $350.00. If that sort of increase continues, you can count on airfare going through the roof.

As has been pointed it out elsewhere in this thread, pay with a credit card, buy now to avoid additional fuel surcharges and lastly, most of the legacy carriers offer a refund if the fare goes down a significant amount after you purchase the ticket and you have to bring it to their attention. They generally charge a service fee to do the exchange.

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » June 23, 2008 12:48 pm

will the credit card protect me if the airline goes under? That would be the reason I"m avoiding an early purchase right now.

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » June 23, 2008 1:16 pm

OceanCityGirl wrote:will the credit card protect me if the airline goes under? That would be the reason I"m avoiding an early purchase right now.

Check with your credit card company, or even look into if trip insurance would cover you in a situation like that.

Most credit card companies give a limited amount of time to dispute charges, so you might not have recourse unless you are within that window, or your card offers additional protection.

Joetown Parrothead · Post by **Joetown Parrothead** » June 23, 2008 1:17 pm

I always buy as soon as I can, we fly Southwest 10 or more times a year and if the rate goes down cheaper, then we paid we call and we always get credit from them. They don't fly overseas yet! We use Froniter for our Mexico trips and we use to use ATA for our HAwaii trips....

BottleofRum · Post by **BottleofRum** » June 23, 2008 1:19 pm

Joetown Parrothead wrote:I always buy as soon as I can, we fly Southwest 10 or more times a year and if the rate goes down cheaper, then we paid we call and we always get credit from them. They don't fly overseas yet! We use Froniter for our Mexico trips and we use to use ATA for our HAwaii trips....

Better get a new Carrier for Hawaii, ATA went belly up a few months ago.

Joetown Parrothead · Post by **Joetown Parrothead** » June 23, 2008 1:24 pm

BottleofRum wrote:
Joetown Parrothead wrote:I always buy as soon as I can, we fly Southwest 10 or more times a year and if the rate goes down cheaper, then we paid we call and we always get credit from them. They don't fly overseas yet! We use Froniter for our Mexico trips and we use to use ATA for our HAwaii trips....
Better get a new Carrier for Hawaii, ATA went belly up a few months ago.

I know, that is why it said we use to use! Thanks.

bocanuts · Post by **bocanuts** » June 23, 2008 2:59 pm

Buy now, don't wait. prices will do nothing but go up. I bought tixs to Gainseville, FL two weeks ago for $278 a pop, up to $550 now.

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How far in advance do you buy plane tix

How far in advance do you buy plane tix

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