Air to Italy in August --book now or wait?
 

Flying from Iowa to Rome in August. I'm coming back in Sept.; DD coming back in mid-December.

So far, the best rate I've found is $1174 for me and $1402 for her.

On another thread, a lucky poster ran across a special sale that only lasted a day or two in April for their trip at the end of July (from Dulles to Frankfort).

Should I book now, or hold out for sales?
Thanks.

P.S. If I use the flights I've found, we wouldn't even be on the same flight to Rome--not good.

Hi M,

I think you have a less than 50% chance of seeing a significant drop in fare for your flight and about a 60% chance of a lower fare for your daughter.

Check www.mobissimo.com and www.kayak.com. They both show lower rates for returning in December.

((I))

Hi M,

I think that you have a less than 50% chance of significantly lower fares for you and about a 60% chance of lower fare for your daughter.

Check www.mobissimo.com and www.kayak.com

((I))

Thanks, Ira. I just recchecked Kayak and got $1423 for her, but Mobissimo showed $1372.
(Dates I used were 8/10 and 12/16.)

Have you considered flying to somewhere like Amsterdam or London, then getting a low cost airline the rest of the way

www.whichbudget.com is probably the best place to look BUT remember to allow lots of time for connections especially if changing airports

Thanks, alanRow--I have checked that possibility, but so far have found nothing cheaper, plus it gives us 3-5 layovers instead of 1-2 (which would be ok, if price was a lot cheaper). I'll keep checking, though.

I think you'll severely limit yourself if you want to be on the same flight to Rome, because different airlines and consolidators will have different rules for tickets greater than 30 days than for those less than 30 days.

What exact dates are you looking for? That makes a huge difference.

WillTravel--
We would depart Aug. 10 or 11. I would return Sept. 1; she would return Dec. 16. Thanks.

Given the current oil price situation it seems much more likely that there will be significant fare increases than decreases. I think it would be prudent to buy now and lock in the price.

I'll be a little more "scientific" than Ira by saying you probably have about 1% chance (please don't ask where his, or my math is coming from) of there being a sale unless further price increases depress sales.

Have you also looked on itasoftware.com and www.onetravel.com?

I'd do one last search using these additionals if you haven't already and take the lowest fare.

If you are flying FROM a beginning point where one airline dominates the routes in and out it may explain some of the pricing you are seeing.

Thanks, Jeff and Intrepid.

I just tried onetravel and itasoftware--those prices were higher right now.

If anyone hears of a low fare from IA, MO, KS, MN to Rome in the next few weeks, please, please make a post. Thank you! :)

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.....
The cheapeast airfare I found yesterday just went up $216.

Try sidestep.com. also..
orbitz.com
They worked for me.
p.s I don't know why the web comes up double like that when I post my reply..oh well

I notice you didn't mention Chicago, but that might be your best bet. For example, for your dates, Aug. 10 - September 1, you can get ORD-VCE for $873 total on US Airways. I would consider that worth it if you want to visit Venice anyways.

Anamaria - thank you. Sidestep did show lower rate, closer to what I found yesterday.

WillTravel - thank you for looking that up. A lot of flights from where I am connect in Chicago; I'd have the additional expense of flying there.

I would love to fly into Venice --that was my original plan, but we'll be lugging around an exta "passenger" that we want to dump in Rome or Perugia at the beginning of our trip.*

* I've bored people with this before in other threads, but we'll be bringing 2 extra large suitcases that daughter will need for school---I'm beginning to feel like the luggage is an extra person to deal with. We've investigated shipping it, not our best option.