When is the best time to buy cheap airline tickets?

I take it it's not right now? :shrug:

I want to go away in September. :) Far. Hopefully.

I had one trip in mind and waited while researching. Then the airfare jumped. Eventually I found it lower with an extra connection. But further research revealed some big expenses once I got on the ground.

So Plan B. While researching (and procrastinating because it's a bloody long flight) that airfare edged up a bit. But not quite enough to send me running for Plan C.

I think the rule of thumb is the earlier the better. Or free teleportation. ;)

I read that that you can get a cheaper seat if you buy a ticket a few weeks before you leave?

I was just researching today, and while the trip would have 2 stops there, it's no longer than a 2-3 hour wait at each airport. Cool.

My intended flight on Air Canada was less than 1100, but then suddenly jumped up to 1500.
I can wait for something less than that. Besides, it's not 100 percent I'm going on my trip, just have to save my pennies for the next few months.

are supposed to be better than others for booking the lowest fares. One day a week they supposedly release some fares at cheaper rates. I think Wednesdays?

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/tips/booking/2003-10-23-airline_x.htm

when everybody else is sleeping!! :rofl:

You have to make some sacrifices I guess. Some of the fares may still be available on Thursday though. In part it depends on how popular your destination is too.

I've been watching KAYAK for awhile now for a trip we're making in November. It helps if you have a little bit of a window of a day or two either way for when you can fly. KAYAK will show you most of the major travel sites though. It will open a crap load of browser windows though. So use caution if you have a slow 'puter or net connection.

May have to be a little careful with KAYAK. :)

Turns out one of the cheapest airports within a few hrs is Charlotte. Which is also the city bf's brother lives near. So we'll also save that $10-$15 a day parking fee.

Closest airport is not only about $150 more per....yeah seriously. There's also the parking we won't be paying.

And we'll get to visit family for a day or two. Awesome double-down WINWIN!

:)

Luckier yet that one of the cheaper ones happens to be in a an almost perfect spot.

The rest depends.

Buying cheap airfare is like playing Russian roulette - you could have a $300 fare one week, and a $600 the next for the same flight, same route. It's just a total crap shoot.

A few months, at least. :)

With most airlines, the loads fall right after Labor Day, so they have Cheapies on sale during the time you want to go. Expedia et al are good for finding bargains, but don't forget actual airline websites as well.

If you're close to MSP, then Delta might offer some goodies. They fly everywhere. But now that everyone charges for baggage, (DL, UA AA charge 25.00 per bag, Jet Blue gives you one free) try to pack what you need in a carry on to avoid it. (It's easier than you think: half the stuff you pack for a trip you don't end up needing anyway, and now that most of us have Kindles and IPhones we don't need books or CDs anymore. 'Course if you happen to have Size 10 feet like me, and won't go anywhere without your Nike running shoes, then you're screwed for space!)

And, you ask, how do I know all this? Cuz I work for the airlines in SFO, and although we don't deal with fares much at the ticket counter (and I personally haven't paid full fare for a ticket in years) I keep abreast of the marketing trends. For instance, Alaska Airlines is heavily promoting their new routes to Hawaii, so they have "companion fares" where one person pays the full fare and the other one just pays 50 bucks and the taxes. Also, if you get a VISA card from certain airlines, you can rack up miles and use them towards tickets. I know airfares are pretty outrageous these days, but if you ask around and familiarize yourself with the system, you can find some deals.

Actually there would be a flight out of my city, that would go to Minneapolis and transfer to a Delta. "IF" that turns out to be the most inexpensive flight. I don't want to wait 10 hours between stops. :)

I'd "like" to go to Europe again this fall....

the citi aadvantage visa is a good deal but for flying out of MSP, a former NW hub, i think the best bet is to find an offer for delta sky miles american express where the first year is no annual fee to hold this credit card


hubby just got 50K miles from delta, just from the amex, not from flying...

Those can involve nothing more than $30 per year, but understand you'd be beneath anyone else who has space available privileges

And not all airlines have them

Southwest Airlines website often. They don't show up on travel sites, and occasionally run great specials online.

yes it's too early to shop for air tix for september, unless you're paying in miles rather than cash

You'll probably be late for the buffet though. :P

Whatever is considered off season. For warm, equitorial climates, the major airfare season is in the northern hemispher's winter. We leave the snow and drugery for a weekend on a beach in January, so that costs money. In January, bargains can be had flying to Eastern Europe. In summer, bargains can be had for flying to Equitorial climes...but then, the heat there is frickin' unbearable.

:P

A few years ago, I was about to book a flight, then put it off for a few hours - was at work, suddenly becoming busy. Later in the afternoon, I tried again and the airfare had dropped $300.