Airfare between CLT and FCO, should I hold out?
 

I have been checking every few days for several months for airfare for our June 2005 Honeymoon and prices have been above $1k for coach consistently. I wanted to get a slightly better deal, but am beginning to worry this might not happen. Anyone have any airfare timing advice that they can share? What should I expect? We are flying from Charlotte, NC to Rome hopefully! Thanks in advance!

There are a number of threads here regarding trying to time the market for summer 2005 travel.

My personal view is that while you may see some slight reductions in prices for peak period travel within the next couple of months, but I'd be surprised to see anything major, especially for Italy, where direct service from the US is sketchy anyway. Instead, I'd definitely look for prices to someplace with more transatlantic traffic, especially London, or increasingly Dublin, and then look at a budget carrier for the last leg to Italy.

I don't think that waiting another month or two is going to result in catastrophic increases, and who knows, maybe fuel surcharges will be discontinued or the dollar will strengthen against the Euro. Yeah, and pigs might fly.

Monitor fares with the various Yahoo or Travelocity farewatcher options, especially to places with good connections, like London, Amsterdam or Frankfurt, and meanwhile explore www.whichbudget.com to see what low cost carriers might do for the cheapo connections.

Hi Emily,

My guess is that you might be able to get a fare of about $850 if you wait until Dec-Jan.

Hello Emily,
I work for an airfare consolidator selling international tickets and just so you know, the fares typically increase to high season on the 15th of June. Depatures prior to this date will get you much lower rates. Sometimes fares will be cheaper as you get closer to your departure date but then availability becomes difficult. I'm sure you've been checking online but, you might also try working with a travel agent to see if they can find anything better for you. Best of luck.

Hi Emily,
I just got a great fare under $700, from SFO to FCO on Continental...not on the internet or via orbitz, etc. but I just called them (continental)and told them the dates I wanted (late May) and when she quoted me the fare I was stunned, as I had seen alot higher on the so-called discount websites, including Continentals own site.

THE reason you aren't going to see a lot of low fares from Charlotte on that route is simply because there isn't a lot of competition with USAirways which basically has the bulk of the traffic. This is why fares will be cheaper from someplace like New York, Baltimore, etc., where there are more airlines flying the same route. It is unfortunate that you probably cannot conveniently leave from another city.

Hi PT,

Is that fare with tax? Non stop?

While I am not personally kowledgeable about the CLT market, I do have a daughter in the RDU area, and I do think you have the "Cincinnati syndrome" in Charlotte (too much of one dominating airline, and not enough connecting competition).

I'd look into the options of connecting out of RDU (served by Southwest to BWI, PHL and many other gateway major metro areas).

This will be a lot more researching options, but it might well be worth it.

Best wishes,

Rex

Emily,
Typically the timeframe for sales to Europe for June occur in the Jan/Feb timeframe...however can happen anytime. Check at least weekly now after 1st of the year check daily. CLT is a US Airways hub as you know they in trouble I wouldn't book with them no matter how good the deal seems.