poss

I started wondering abt this many months ago. Was urged to keep waiting (trip wants to be in June) Instead of fares going down, they've just been going up and up. We need a particular flight-- the non-stop mid-day from Phila. (Elderly person for whom any travel is quite difficult.)
I guess I better just put out the near $600 now?? Wow!

dfr4848

No, I don't think they're going down between now and June. Where did you get the $600 fare? I'm finding the 2 pm non-stop on US and return non-stop (both mid-week) at $455.

poss

Thanks so much for quick reply-- yes, that's the flight we'd like. Which dates did you find those fares for, please? We do have some flexibility on dates, though not on which flight. Thanks!

rkkwan

You're running out of time. Buy your tickets now, before they become $1,000+. Back in November, I already said that you might as well buy the tickets then because you have to take that non-stop.

Best fare I can find is $613 including tax now. So, you gambled a little, and lost a little. No big deal. But the stakes are higher now. This is a route with no competition, and if you need to buy a flight for the next few days, it's $1,723 for full-fare.

dfr4848

To SFO on 6/11 and return on 6/25. Used Kayak.com. Disclosure - didn't go through the process enough to know if this included all taxes, but think it did.

dfr4848

poss - supposedly that fare does include all taxes and fees.

rkkwan

That fare seems bookable, and the return is the red-eye. Day flight on the return are about $520.

MrNuke

If you recall Rkkwan Poss was looking for two specific flights.

BeachBoi

Maybe Mr K was working on his latest novel, "Return of the Red Eye"....little confusion, ya know....

MrNuke

I remember the last thread and have been checking prices every once and a while on it. At about 4-5 weeks out from departure the price drops significantly. A May 31 to June 7 trip (same spacing) is $303. Now I don't think the June 20-28 dates in question will drop that low, but I do think it will come down a bit from where it is at. That being said I would strongly consider booking it now to be done with it.

poss

I do appreciate the continued comment. On those particular flights (any 8-9 day period from about June 16 on through end of June), I can't find anything less than the low $600's. (I'm not computer savvy, would feel uncomfortable booking in any way other than with airline.) I suppose I'll wait a week or two and see what happens; maybe just forgo the trip altogether (dh wouldn't mind at all).
I wonder what is likely to happen if United and U.S. A merge. E.g. I have enough mileage on United for a ticket, but when I asked if there was space on their partner for me to use miles, they of course said no.

rkkwan

A potential UA/US merger has nothing to do with your trip. First, you're talking about months in the future. Second, chances are US is not releasing FF awards on that particular flights even for their own members.

rkkwan

Many times, I've told myself I should never never comment on threads about "when to buy ticket", "is this a good fare", etc... But somehow I keep going back to replying.

One day, one day I will really stop doing it.

rizzo0904

No, they won't go down. Fuel prices are rising. And depending on what happens with the FAA reautorization bill that's being debated by the senate now, the prices will get even higher. There is controversial language to make the airlines fully fund their pension plans. If it passes, prices will get jacked up to cover the costs.

wally34949

Have you checked OAK?

poss

No non-stops.

FainaAgain

End of June is a very busy time in San Francisco. A huge parade, people come in from all over. And fly home.

Poss, as Wally said, check also OAK airport in addition to SFO.

Southwest airlines are not included in Kayak's search, they fly to both airports. There are no non-stops from Phila, but you don't have to change planes flying SouthWest, just stay in your seat and continue on.

mrwunrfl

At this point the price is likely to go up. Not because of fuel prices or Congress but because the tickets at the lowest fare have sold out. Maybe they will have a sale but I wouldn't count on it.

karens

<<A potential UA/US merger has nothing to do with your trip. First, you're talking about months in the future. Second, chances are US is not releasing FF awards on that particular flights even for their own members.

I agree. USAir seems to, since the merger, not open up seats on direct, convenient (time-wise) flights.

After calling repeatedly, I never found USAir seats on any flights to London last year. This year I tried to Costa Rica and the only flight open with seats was one outbound flight at 6:45am. The agent told me there were 9 seats available - on the other, more reasonable departures (for me!) there were no seats available. And none on the return flight, either.

I think you are calling too late to hope for FF seats on a direct flight.

I also don't think prices will go down.