Purchasing tickets - How far in advance
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Purchasing tickets - How far in advance
I have two trips planned this summer - one to Paris and one to Indianapolis (both from Washington DC).
I am a person to likes to plan early and resolve uncertainty as soon as possible. I am seeing decent prices for both flights right now. I am tempted to buy.
BUT... both potential purchases involve an airline that is not in good shape (Paris -> Delta and Indy -> Northwest).
Is it prudent to wait until the travel dates get closer. How far out do most of you purchase?
I am a person to likes to plan early and resolve uncertainty as soon as possible. I am seeing decent prices for both flights right now. I am tempted to buy.
BUT... both potential purchases involve an airline that is not in good shape (Paris -> Delta and Indy -> Northwest).
Is it prudent to wait until the travel dates get closer. How far out do most of you purchase?
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I visited Continental's web site today and noticed that they have posted that they will honor tickets (subject to certain fees) issued by Independence Air, which has just folded. I know of no relationship between Continental and Independence Air, so I attribute this to the tradition in the industry of surviving airlines honoring, to some degree, tickets sold by airlines that have folded. So I think the difficulties of Delta and NW are not something that should concern us greatly.
As to when to buy, for international flights, I never buy after two months before the trip date, because my experience is that prices start going up then (although I have seen a few go down), and I don't want to risk not being able to get a ticket. I also rarely buy prior to four months prior to the trip date, because me experience is that normally prices go down a bit at that point. However, I monitor the prices from the time I start planning the trip, and I have a figure in mind of what is a really good deal, and if that figure shows up (as, for instance, on a sale), I go ahead and buy.
For domestic flights, I generally use the same rules, although I will sometimes defer buying until as late as a month before the flight date.
My "rules" are based on trying to buy the least expensive tourist fares. I know some of the deepest discounted tickets have conditions attached, such as they must be bought at least 30 days before the flight, and a Saturday night stayover is required, but those conditions are not well publicized, so it is a lot of work finding them, and probably not worth it to save $10 on a ticket.
If you want to resolve uncertainty, and are comfortable with the prices you have found, who is to say you shouldn't buy now? The only disadvantage I see is that the airlines are constantly altering their schedules, so if you buy now, there is some chance that they will change a flight or two, and you may arrive a little later, or earlier.
As to when to buy, for international flights, I never buy after two months before the trip date, because my experience is that prices start going up then (although I have seen a few go down), and I don't want to risk not being able to get a ticket. I also rarely buy prior to four months prior to the trip date, because me experience is that normally prices go down a bit at that point. However, I monitor the prices from the time I start planning the trip, and I have a figure in mind of what is a really good deal, and if that figure shows up (as, for instance, on a sale), I go ahead and buy.
For domestic flights, I generally use the same rules, although I will sometimes defer buying until as late as a month before the flight date.
My "rules" are based on trying to buy the least expensive tourist fares. I know some of the deepest discounted tickets have conditions attached, such as they must be bought at least 30 days before the flight, and a Saturday night stayover is required, but those conditions are not well publicized, so it is a lot of work finding them, and probably not worth it to save $10 on a ticket.
If you want to resolve uncertainty, and are comfortable with the prices you have found, who is to say you shouldn't buy now? The only disadvantage I see is that the airlines are constantly altering their schedules, so if you buy now, there is some chance that they will change a flight or two, and you may arrive a little later, or earlier.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the thoughtful reply.
But there is one factor in my mental calculations that you don't discuss.
Airlines that liquidate after I purchase the tickets. While unlikely - it isn't impossible when you are talking about Northwest or Delta.
Or - am I exagerating the possiblity of this happeneing?
But there is one factor in my mental calculations that you don't discuss.
Airlines that liquidate after I purchase the tickets. While unlikely - it isn't impossible when you are talking about Northwest or Delta.
Or - am I exagerating the possiblity of this happeneing?
#4
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, you are exaggerating. Only possibility is pilot or FA union starting a strike. DL's pilots have been threatening for months, but agree to concessions, at least for now. They know if they strike, that means the end of the airline - and therefore their job.
NW's mechanics had been striking for months, and what happened? These people have no jobs and the airline's operating normally.
NW's mechanics had been striking for months, and what happened? These people have no jobs and the airline's operating normally.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with the above with one exception. Going south of the equator during the Christmas - New Year holiday. Better to buy this ticket 11 months (+) or wait to the very last minute.
Unless you are trying to book a special seat on a plane, three months before the flight is usually the right time.
Unless you are trying to book a special seat on a plane, three months before the flight is usually the right time.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rholt
Europe
13
Jun 9th, 2008 05:49 AM
julies
Europe
9
Jun 1st, 2004 06:20 PM