Wallace_and_Gromit

I usually buy my airline tickets only a few months in advance. I do this because I find the prices and schedules are usually better at that time.

I am planning a Atlanta to Vancouver vacation Aug 20-Sept 3. Just for some ideas of what prices might be like, I started looking at airfare ...

I found a price of $422 on United that matches my preferred schedule fairly well. Should I go ahead and grab it, or is it way too soon? (I suspect it is) - I am not so worried that I will find it cheaper (that is an awesome price!) but the posted schedule might change. Would it change drastically?

I need some advice.

rkkwan

$422 is a reasonable price for such a ticket. But you're right that schedule is likely to be changed between now and then. Usually not drastically, but you don't know.

I would probably wait. $422 is a fair price, but it's not very good. No reason to book this early.

Flyboy

Your potential savings are not going to be huge by waiting and future airfares are difficult to predict. Some things to consider are that Vancouver picks up quite of tourism on its own behalf and it also as a significant cruise ship port. You're talking about high summer season. Certainly if you see those fares dip below $400, I wouldn't wait to see it go for much less. I wouldn't fault you for picking it up right now, if you're getting the schedule that you want on your preferred carrier. I just don't see you kicking yourself too hard on this one at that price.

Wallace_and_Gromit

Flyboy,

I'm not quite sure you understood what I was saying ...

As I stated in my o.p. - it is NOT the price so much that I am worried about. I really do not see how it can be much cheaper (unless I travel in the middle of the night or some other inconvenient times)

I was worried about the schedule changing. It has happened quite a few times to me in the past (and that was on domestic flights- and with tickets purchased only a few months in advance!)

I was wondering if someone had an experience where they bought this far in advance and the schedule stayed pretty much the same.

I mean, I would certainly be kicking myself if I went ahead and got the tickets now and then the schedule changed drastically!

rkkwan

If the schedule change drastically, you can always request a full refund. Of course, who knows what the prices are then for flights then? It can be higher, can be lower...

rkkwan

BTW, UA1127 has long been ORD-YVR around 10am in the morning. Probably won't change.

UA1119 around 3:30p and UA1141 around 8pm also hasn't changed for at least half a year.

Seems like this is a stable route.

ATL-ORD has frequent service, so while the flight numbers may change often, there will always be flights that let you connect to the YVR.

So, they'll get you there reasonably close to the current schedule. Unless your time is very rigid and can't tolerate an hour or so either way of schedule variance.

Flyboy

I agree with rkkwan. I've puchased tickets as much as 10 months out and not had problems with schedule changes. A variance of more than two hours will put you in a refundable situation so don't sweat it. Absent some kind cataclysm, they're not going to have problems selling that route at that time of year. If you like it, lock in.

wally34949

You can always fly to Seattle, and take the bus or train for $26 to Vancouver each way.