Airfare more $$ than it was 2 yrs ago?
 

I've received so much great advice planning my honeymoon to the Amalfi Coast that I thought I would pose this question here... Two years ago, I went to Rome in mid-September and bought my ticket (from Seattle) for $800. I bought my ticket in June. I've been checking prices for my upcoming trip in mid-September, and I have noticed they seem significantly higher. The prices I'm getting are in the $1100 range. Is this what I should expect to pay, or might the price go down if I wait a few weeks? Is this higher price because of the higher euro dollar? Any advice will be appreciated.

There are many reasons, but to keep this reply short here is my answer. I would not expect any fares going down this summer season for the simplest of all reasons - the planes are full.

Another reason for the higher fares: fuel costs are much much higher than 2 years ago and most likely will not be going down.
Mid-Sept is still considered to be high season for a lot of airlines. Keep looking but fares may not go down much esp if the planes fill up.

Hi b,

There seem to be far fewer airfare bargains this year - high fuel prices, more people traveling.

www.mobissimo.com has fares for about $1000. Orbitz slightly less.

((I))

Should I consider going in October or even November? Is the weather still nice in Amalfi then?

Hi britomart personally if I were going to the Amalfi coast I would go in September. As others have said, with high cost of fuel, more people travelling etc. one cannot get the bargains they could for awhile. Best wishes on your upcoming marriage.

Hi
Since you asked, I'll offer this:
it's your honeymoon, I think the $300 difference will be well worth it to better your chances of fine weather and a more beautiful trip.

Thanks for the advice... Orbitz appears to be the cheapest. The reason we are considering changing our dates is because we just bought a house so we are on a tighter budget than we were when we originally planned the trip. Thanks again!

britomart, I have known couples that took a beautiful but close to home honeymoon right after their wedding and then saved for a year of so and took their honeymoon later. Is this something you two could think about doing?

Buying a house can sure change ones budget. Delaying your honeymoon in Italy would give you time to set some money aside each month for your Italian trip. Another benefit is that you would not be arriving tired as sometimes can happen depending on whether there are a lot of functions etc. before the wedding. Anyway, just a thought. Best wishes in what ever you decide. And good for you two for buying a house. That was an excellent decision.

We have definitely been thinking about cancelling our dream honeymoon... All of our savings has gone into the house, and the only reason we can go is because we have two months where we don't have to make a house payment. But we would also like to get some things for the house, and have some money saved "just in case."

As for the timing, we are going a month after our wedding because I thought September was "low season."

On a whim, I just happened to price the airfare to Naples instead of Rome, and it is cheaper! It has been significantly higher, almost $1600. How is this possible....? I'm thinking I should jump on this Naples airfare. Plus we would be saving the cost of a hotel in Rome before and after, and the cost of train tickets...

If you have been following air fares and find a significant price dip, it is probably best to take it immediately, it could vanish.

Hi britomart, I agree with Nikki, if you truly are going to Italy in September and see an airfare you can afford grad it immediately. Like right now, LOL.

Naples would be better then Rome, you are right, since you want to stay on the Amalfi Coast.

I sure understand your concern budget wise, but again how smart of you two to buy a house. But yes, one does need an emergency fund when one owns property, there is also something that needs attention or repairs.

Best of luck to you with your decisions.

Hi brit,

Jump on it.

I just got our airfare on Orbitz from Seattle to Naples for $970. I think I got an excellent deal. Similar itineraries range from $1700-$2300 on Yahoo and Expedia. I had no idea there could be such a difference between sites. Our layover time between flights is about 2h 15m, pretty darn good! Thanks again for the tips!

Although you've purchased your tickets at a good price, something to consider in the future is 1800flyeurope.com.

They are a reputable consolidator (as recommened on this forum by many readers.) While they don't tell you who the airline is until you purchase the ticket, it does tell you time of departure, how long it will take and any connections...a far cry better than priceline.

For someone like me who lives in DFW, it's a pretty sure thing it will be AA and based on departure times provided, it assures it by checking aa.com.

Have a great time!

Yes - prices for airfare are going up. Three reasons:

Prices for evrerything are going up - why should airfare be different?

Fear of terrorism - which had been articifically depressing airfares to europe - are abating and planes are mostly full again

Price of fuel is going up (haven;t you noticed you're paying more for gas for your car - well airlines have to pay it too)

Don;t count on prices to ever again be as low as they were a couple of years ago

Just for perspective - airfare prices are in fact a huge bargain compared to most other things - the average prices to europe are little more than they were 10 or 15 years ago - when many things have doubled in price since them.

I agree with nytraveler and let me add a fourth reason: almost all of the major carriers have been losing their butts during this extended heyday of cheap fares. While I expect there will still be deals out there from time to time, they are likely to be less frequent, the discounts less steep and the offerings more limited. Of course, that's just MY guess -- but for those of us who did a lot of travel over the past few years because we thought airfares were cheap, I don't we'll ever be sorry or feel like we should have waited for better deals. ;)

Took my first long awaited trip to Europe in summer 2003 because the airfares were so cheap. I made a deal with myself that if the airfare, all tax/fees inclusive, went below $500, we'd go. It did. It was my oldest dd's 16th bday present and we flew to see her best friends in Germany and took a side trip to Paris. Then airfare again dropped below $500 last summer and we took her small senior class on a 5 city European tour. I WISH it would go below $500 this summer. Don't think so. tmh mentioned 1800flyeurope and for travel beginning Sept. 1 the prices are under $500 for 7 days w/ air & car to London or Paris from the East Coast. Something to consider.