LAX-FCO Easter week '08-Buy now or wait?
 

I'm trying to decide if I should buy now or wait.

I've been watching prices since my dates became available and in the last 2 months, the flight I want has gone up almost $200.
I'm specifically interested in an AA flight because it offers the perfect flight times for me.

I think it's a tough call-it's "Holy Week" in Rome, and therefore likely to be busy, but the current price ($1149 r/t) seems high for March.

There are cheaper flights available, but none that really meet my specs (too many stops, bad transfer airports (LHR!), etc.).

So, are prices likely to go down, or is this "reasonable" given increases in taxes/fees/fuel costs of late?

Anyone have any insight or advice?

Thanks!

Are you flying AA from Lax to Ord to Fco? Also look at Delta from Lax to either ATL,CVG or JFK then nonstop to FCO? Or how about Continental from LAX to EWR to FCO? There are alot of combinations that can have you going nonstop from the US instead of changing overseas and wasting more time than necessary.

Hi-

Thanks for the reply. Yes, the flight is LAX-ORD-FCO. I like it because it leaves early in the AM and the return is a "reasonable" 11AM.

I've never really cared for Delta or Continental, but I checked their websites.

The Delta flights are all more expensive, most have layovers over 6 hours, codeshare with Alitalia, or worse yet, all three!

On Continental fares start at $1348 (inc tax).

So, hedge my bets and wait, or buy now?

Sounds like you're pretty set on AA. If so, I'd be tempted to purchase now although I totally agree it's a tough call. Who knows this far out! I would also tend to agree that tix to FCO during Holy Week are less likely to go down. The only other comment - between now and Mar '08, be prepared for airlines to make schedule changes. Those great times on AA may, or may not, be there next spring. If you're not set on AA, I'd be tempted to wait.

Kristina - another thought. Have you checked other carriers such as LH? We took them 2 years ago to FCO with a change in FRA over and MUC back. Very easy and we had no complaints about service, food etc on LH.

DFR-
Yes, I've looked at LH as well as United since they tend to codeshare on that flight. As of right now, on UA it's about the same price as the AA flight with similar times. The LH flights direct to Frankfurt or Munich leave in the afternoon however. But with UA on the way over we leave in the early AM and go through ORD.

All things equal, I have no idea which is better.
I lean toward AA since most of my miles are there, but since I'm planning on redeeming ALL of my miles with them next summer, that doesn't seem to matter much.

You make an interesting point about schedule changes, one I had not considered. Just one more thing to worry about.

BTW, my AA flight (well, one of my configurations anyway) dropped $40 yesterday. Not enough to make me jump in and buy however..

I've found another option; I can book LAX-FCO on UA and the retrun on Swiss via orbitz or cheaptickets for $999. The departure times are similar to the AA flight.

I'm wondering if the UA/Swiss combo might be a better option than AA. Both UA and Swiss have seat-back video and the AA flights listed do not. That's certainly a plus. Other than that, what else to compare? To save $300 (per couple) it might be worth it to go the cheaper route.

Kristina - $300 would definitely be tempting and seat-back videos are certainly a plus. The only other comparison point I'd make is that most people (including me) think that in general service on foreign carriers is better than US carriers - though I haven't been on the "new" Swiss so I'll leave that to someone with personal experience.

If FF miles and elite status don't matter to you, I'll fly the cheaper option. Not enough a different either way to justify $150 or $300 more on the other.