- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
How far in advance to book a flight
Posted on 1/23/19 at 2:32 pm
Posted on 1/23/19 at 2:32 pm
How far in advance should you book a flight or should you wait until last minute? Also is google flights the best option for booking? Thanks.
5
Posted on 1/23/19 at 3:20 pm to DLP7637
Depends on where. Where are you going?
Posted on 1/23/19 at 4:29 pm to DLP7637
I book when I'm comfortable with a price. I really don't think the sweet spot happens as much now.
Obviously, down times will be cheaper than busy tourist seasons
Obviously, down times will be cheaper than busy tourist seasons
Posted on 1/23/19 at 11:11 pm to CptBengal
Going to Boston. Planning. On 4/23 thru 4/27 or 4/28. Two of us traveling together.
Posted on 1/23/19 at 11:54 pm to DLP7637
quote:
Going to Boston. Planning. On 4/23 thru 4/27 or 4/28. Two of us traveling together.
shite, domestic this close? try the hopper, it usually gives decent results on domestic travel across a range of windows. Also some people believe things are better on Tuesdays for fares....but YMMV
Posted on 1/24/19 at 7:19 am to CptBengal
I usually try 21 days out and on a Tues afternoon/Wed morn.
Some locations may require even a longer period.
Some locations may require even a longer period.
Posted on 1/24/19 at 8:16 am to DLP7637
I love Hopper. It's an app that you can download and it'll give predictive modeling on when to buy a particular trip. Tracks and sends you updates. Fascinating technology.
From a forum on Hopper on "the averages":
The best time to book a flight for the winter is 62 days in advance, according to this data, while spring flights should be booked 90 days in advance, summer 47 days in advance, and fall 69 days in advance.
I also have a subscription to Scott's Cheap Flights. Love that too and have found that paying the $39/year is well worth it to identify good deals.
In terms of booking, I use several sites to either book or go directly to the Airlines after I've done the research.
You can also use great apps like Momondo as well that will analyze trips and direct you to booking sites. Like justfly.com or OneTravel. Both highly rated sites.
Actually, for our last two trips to Europe, we used a site: alphaflightguru.com. You have to talk to one of their agents, but once we outlined our objectives, I swear he was able to find us deals we couldn't after tons of exhaustive research. I don't have anything to do with that site, just letting you know that's been our experience.
From a forum on Hopper on "the averages":
The best time to book a flight for the winter is 62 days in advance, according to this data, while spring flights should be booked 90 days in advance, summer 47 days in advance, and fall 69 days in advance.
I also have a subscription to Scott's Cheap Flights. Love that too and have found that paying the $39/year is well worth it to identify good deals.
In terms of booking, I use several sites to either book or go directly to the Airlines after I've done the research.
You can also use great apps like Momondo as well that will analyze trips and direct you to booking sites. Like justfly.com or OneTravel. Both highly rated sites.
Actually, for our last two trips to Europe, we used a site: alphaflightguru.com. You have to talk to one of their agents, but once we outlined our objectives, I swear he was able to find us deals we couldn't after tons of exhaustive research. I don't have anything to do with that site, just letting you know that's been our experience.
This post was edited on 1/24/19 at 8:56 am
Posted on 1/24/19 at 9:01 am to DLP7637
Never last minute Op, almost never. Prices usually rise sharply back up starting about 3 weeks out.
There’s rarely a reason to buy more than 90 days out unless you find a seasonal deal. I look for 45-90 days being peak purchase time generally. Airlines are generally worried about another season until about 100 days out so most deals are right around 2-3 months prior.
There’s rarely a reason to buy more than 90 days out unless you find a seasonal deal. I look for 45-90 days being peak purchase time generally. Airlines are generally worried about another season until about 100 days out so most deals are right around 2-3 months prior.
Posted on 1/24/19 at 9:47 am to baldona
^ agree. Last minute is always most expensive.
Too early is also expensive.
Set a flight tracker on Google, watch the prices on various airlines. Think about your budget. Buy it & quit looking at prices.
Too early is also expensive.
Set a flight tracker on Google, watch the prices on various airlines. Think about your budget. Buy it & quit looking at prices.
Posted on 1/24/19 at 10:02 am to hungryone
quote:Best advice of the thread.
Buy it & quit looking at prices.
Posted on 1/24/19 at 10:04 am to soccerfüt
quote:
Best advice of the thread.
Oh, we've all been there. I booked three of MSY-LHR tickets a couple years ago that dropped $350 per ticket the SAME AFTERNOON that I booked. That hurt. So I now turn off the flight tracker once I've decided to buy. No need to torture yourself. C'est la vie....airline pricing is very dynamic.
Posted on 1/24/19 at 11:16 am to hungryone
Thanks. Lots of good advice here. Guess I should not worry about saving a few bucks. Already have an Alaska trip booked for June was trying to squeeze in a Boston trip in April and catch a few Red Sox games for as cheap as possible. Have been to Boston quite a few times but usually do a Package deal.
Posted on 1/25/19 at 8:46 am to DLP7637
ASAP. In the unlikely event that prices drop, airlines will refund the difference.
Posted on 1/25/19 at 9:07 am to MLU
quote:
ASAP. In the unlikely event that prices drop, airlines will refund the difference.
Is this true? I don’t think so. Some of them offer additional ‘price drop’ protection now but it’s like $50/ ticket. So your gamble is that the price drops under that.
Posted on 1/25/19 at 9:29 am to soccerfüt
quote:
Buy it & quit looking at prices.
quote:
Best advice of the thread.
Not if it's SWA. If price drops from when you originally booked, you can change flights, re-book the same flight and get $$ or points back, depending what you used to book the original flight, credited back to you to use towards your next flight. I do it all the time. I think you have a year to use them if I remember correctly, could be longer. I've never come close to pushing that though.
This post was edited on 1/25/19 at 9:31 am
Posted on 1/25/19 at 9:38 am to ColoradoAg03
Yes, but SW is the only airline that offers such flexibility. It’s a different animal, and the SW fares won’t even be pulled for comparison on Google Flights. You have to look at those separately.
Re: Hopper, I have not found it useful from MSY. Seems like every route I check, I get the message that not enough data exists for any info. It must work better for larger airports?
Re: Hopper, I have not found it useful from MSY. Seems like every route I check, I get the message that not enough data exists for any info. It must work better for larger airports?
Posted on 1/25/19 at 9:59 am to baldona
quote:When I worked an airline ticket counter it was in the conditions of carriage of every US airline. It was part of the passenger's bill of rights along with being able to cancel a ticket without any fees or penalties within 24 hours of purchase. That was a long time ago, so the rules may have changed a bit. Airlines are always looking at ways to close down potential leaking revenue. They may have given a time period or throw in a fee or offer the difference as a credit now. You just have to check with the specific airline you're booking.
Is this true? I don’t think so. Some of them offer additional ‘price drop’ protection now but it’s like $50/ ticket. So your gamble is that the price drops under that.
Also, sometimes the admin fees are waived if you ask nicely.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News