I'm heading to Europe in July of 2002.<BR>I was wondering, when is a good time to buy airline tickets at a good deal? I am not interested in buying 'last minute'by the way. So, if I'm looking to book somewhat in advance, when do the prices come down a tad?<BR>Thanks kindly in advance for any advice.

I was just about to post the same exact question, actually.

First, it's important to understand that you are booking into the most expensive season of the year for tickets to Europe. You can begin looking by programming a fare watcher on Travelocity, which will keep you advised of changes in price. If it was me (and based on where I am flying from in the midwest), I would consider anything approaching $900 to be very much worth looking at for July to Europe on my preferred carrier. You can do much better from major international hubs, however. The thing to do is to keep checking VERY regularly because the cheapest seats sell out VERY quickly. If you have no loyalty to a particular carrier, you will have more to work with and I would consider anything approaching the high-$600 to very low $700 range to be something that you should jump on as soon as you see it from a major hub. (In my own case, I would be giving up more than 20,000 FF miles and any implications it might have on status for the following year to go with a carrier other than my usual; no small thing to consider). It is highly likely that there will simply be less flights (seats) to work with in 2002 unless things change. I'm guessing your best deal will probably show up sometime in April, but it is impossible to predict and you should be looking beforehand. Happy Contrails!

Stef,<BR><BR>You do not indicate the dates that you want to travel. You need to stay within the Mid-week days as Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays can run higher. And you do not indicate which city you are considereing flying into.

I know that I am flying high-season. I do not have alternatives to travelling at this time, so I am expecting to pay higher prices. I'm travelling mid July and returning mid august. I'm flying into Dublin. I was just wondering WHEN it is a good time to seriously book a flight to Europe at a half decent price. (yes I know that I'm not travelling at cheap time)

Step,<BR><BR>I would monitor the fares and if you see it go on sale, buy it then. Travel agents have access to consolidators that can be a tremendous saving sometimes to certain markets. I would not discount them (travel agents) at all, regardless of what some here on these boards say. If you do want to check consolidator fares wait until the early part of Febuary, and others will have rates for July/August by March/April. Consolidator's contract with the various a/l's for certain times, usually only 3 to 6 months out at a time. Good Luck.

Thanks kindly for the information Penny.<BR

Consolidator airfare, late February/early March. Contract rates are usually set by then, and the cheapest seats sell first (and fast) for peak season travel dates. Also, check www.oconnors.com which does a good job of highlighting any sales (last Summer, Aer Lingus had some pretty good deals--$588+tax from eastern US), and the Oconnor site also lists charter rates for comparison. For consolidator rates, check availability at Travelteam.com or Cheaptickets. Best of luck.

Question-are there any upscale charters to London in August from NYC area. I feel this might be a more reassured way to fly. Any thoughts!<BR>Otherwise I will use my ff miles to fly business first on Continential.

Dmn, no "upscale charters" which I am aware of. However, Air India through consolidators in the city is usually cheapest in Summer. Also ring Travac for consolidator rates with Virgin.<BR><BR>The only scheduled charters to London--which I am aware of--operate from Orlando's Sanford airport. I can not call them "upscale" by any means. Seating is extremely tight.