dlpiano

My husband and I are flying to Italy with another couple for the holidays. When we first started researching flights in August/September of this year they were around $850 round trip. Now they are around $1,200 round trip. I have heard if flights are not booking up by a certain amount of time before date of departure, prices begin to drop. Does anyone know what this window of time is? I would hate to miss out on a flight for waiting too long but when looking at available seats there is still plenty of room!
Dates of flights Dec 20 - Jan 1
round trip JFK to Rome
Alitalia non-stop flights through Delta
Any input is welcome!

Gardyloo

<i>I have heard if flights are not booking up by a certain amount of time before date of departure, prices begin to drop.</i>

On the contrary, as the flight date approaches prices tend to increase. Last-minute travelers tend to be less price-sensitive than those who can book advance-purchase fares earlier.

qwovadis

farecompare.com great tips on this

Tues after 3PM said to be the best DAY

But u do not have much time aa.com good deals for me

on this route lately even free with FF CC miles into Milan

for my wife and myself not too long ago...

cheapoair.com fly into Milan then cheap train down

or Even have done London then ryanair.com down to Rome CIA

very cheaply in the past...

But GL is correct time is awasting book something soon.

airtransaat.ca if you can go up there good deals into Rome

at times also... Alitalia bad prices old planes bankrupt

Always do better elsewhere and I go a lot usually 2X per year

Happy Hunting!

RoamsAround

No one can accurately predict when or if fares will drop - it's anyone's guess. The best thing to do is monitor fares and when you see what looks like a good price don't hesitate - book the ticket - the fare may not be their tomorrow.

Also, you can sign up for "fare alerts" on your airline of choice's website or on sites like kayak - they will send you notices where there is a fare sale to your destination.

That's all well and good but if you are planning to fly this December you don't have much "wiggle room" so I wouldn't wait too long to book your flight - you may have already seen the "low fares" come and go.

dlpiano

Grazie!

fmpden

Personally I think you should have bought the 850 tickets. I doubt if you will see anything close to that. While the winter months are considered the slow season for Europe the two weeks around Christmas and New Years is a near peak season. I don't think you are going to seeing any type of fire sale. Recent articles suggests that airline are still reducing capacity and making every effort to hold fares at a higher level. The disadvantage is poor connects and poor seat selection. When you look at seat selection, it does always means that those seats are for sale. There could be some block sales are not reflected until those seats are added later.

You are rolling the dice.

dlpiano

Thanks fmpden on seat info. We were not definite on this trip when we saw the $850 in Aug/Sep since our daughter is getting married Dec 19th! We had to get finances in order. Unfortunately now that our trip is definite prices have soared!
We are going anyways!

rkkwan

Book right now. Chances of prices dropping between now and travel date is tiny, while prices rising is much higher.

dlpiano

today--booking TUESDAY
thanks

mrwunrfl

After you buy tickets, check the fare again tonight or tomorrow morning, but within 24 hours of your purchase. If the airline allows refunds and there is any dip in the price then you might take advantage. Not likely, but worth a quick fare query.

dlpiano

PURCHASED!
Thank you for all the incredible advice!
qwovadis your advice was right on the money (so to speak
I found our tickets around 3pm on Tuesday through cheapoair.com saving $1000 per couple compared to Delta/Alitalia and saving $200 from todays price at cheapoair.com
Final cost $951 with tax and the flight there is direct into Milan!
Yippee!