holiday airfare (vacation, airlines, senior, ideas)

[katenik]

i usually avoid air travel during the peak christmas season, but i would like to do so this year. is it better to book now even though the fare to my destination is still much higher than i would like, or should i wait another week and see if i can get a better deal? i would hate to end up paying more because i'm trying to plan ahead.

any ideas/advice is much appreciated.

[katie45]

Originally Posted by katenik

i usually avoid air travel during the peak christmas season, but i would like to do so this year. is it better to book now even though the fare to my destination is still much higher than i would like, or should i wait another week and see if i can get a better deal? i would hate to end up paying more because i'm trying to plan ahead.

any ideas/advice is much appreciated.

Our travel agents at work have advised that flights are filling up quickly, but that also depends on your destination as well. Airlnes will many times increase airfares when flights are almost full (don't ask me why). So one just never knows.

I would suggest you check out availability and go from there.

Enjoy your vacation!

[jessiegirl_98]

My friends swear by this site to answer your question
Farecast | Airfare Predictions, Find Cheap Flights, Airline Tickets
It is kinda like the stock market and tells you whether you should buy your flight now or wait....

[Tarastomsgirl]

i just bought a ticket today from this site, from south florida to NH for $160 for Dec 5-11th. Not exactly holiday travel but close. Try there, and try and fly in the middle of the week if necessary

[njkate]

Travel between Christmas & New Years as well as the Thanksgiving week Weds through Sun is historically the most expensive time for airfare
The old supply & demand

Just heard on the news yesterday it's going to be a bumpy ride...long waits and flights are booked so if you miss your flight or get bumped cause you were late chances of getting you on another flight is slim to none

[bigdummy]

Book now, it ain't gonna get any better.

I travel around the holidays every year, and know from experience that the longer you wait, the higher fares will go. From what I've heard on the news, this is especially true this year, with so many people wanting to fly, and gas prices going through the roof.

At other times of year, fares seem to go up and down randomly, but during mid November through early January, they are only going to go in one direction...up!

[njkate]

Yes, he is correct...I can usually fly from Newark NJ to Myrtle Beach SC for about $198 RT
this is what i would pay for 12/26-12/31 and why we are driving:

Clear | Show AllAirlines
Continental only
Continental $419
Delta only
Delta $386
Northwest only
Northwest $1465
US Airways only
US Airways $397
United only
United $320
Multiple Airlines only
Multiple Airlines $390
Compare Airlines

[katenik]

sincere thanks to all who replied.

a friend recommended priceline's "name your own fare" feature. she swears by it; i'm skeptical. i don't want to get stuck with a ticket on Air BFE Express just because it's cheap. if you've had experience with priceline, please share.

thanks again.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by katenik

sincere thanks to all who replied.

a friend recommended priceline's "name your own fare" feature. she swears by it; i'm skeptical. i don't want to get stuck with a ticket on Air BFE Express just because it's cheap. if you've had experience with priceline, please share.

thanks again.

I've used priceline for times when I didn't care when exactly I flew out (as in, whether it was 6am or 11pm on a certain day). Sometimes, they kept rejecting my price until it was to the point that I could just go and buy on a regular website and choose my times, etc. Othertimes, I've gotten pretty good deals. I've always ended up on major airlines.

[violet70]

I used to use priceline before I had kids and needed to know my schedule ahead of time. I had great success with it... and always on major airlines.