airline tickets
 

Do the rates for airline tickets get lower as you get closer to your travel date? Does it make sense to buy my tickets to London (for June) now, or wait a while. The rates now are approx. $800.00, but it is the tourist season then and I don't want to pay any more than that either.

If you are booking a flight for the tourist season, book as far in advance as possible. However, checkout some internet sites, www.tiss.com, www.travelocity.com are my two favorites. Then you can use the info and call the airline and book it. I have never booked a ticket on the net. I don't trust it. But book now but watch the rates. If you get a ticket that is refundable and find a better deal...pat yourself on the back for savings. I think you can beat $800. Good luck!

I will wait until the Sale comes out. Or go to a bucket shop travel agency who sells net fares to London. If you live in SFO LAX OR NYC there's lots in your area. If not then look for an ethnic agency (in this case one who sells lots of tickets to the UK) for sure they will have net agreements with several airlines.

In general anna, no, fares do not get cheaper as you get closer to departure date. Going to the airport without tickets, you will pay the full unrestricted coach fare (generally 3-4x as much vs. purchasing 21 days in advance). There are rare exceptions, like short-notice weekend getaway fares, but these are extremely rare for Summer travel from US to Europe. Summer fare sales in general US-Europe are extremely rare. You're better off booking from an airfare consolidator if your itinerary is firm. Tiss.com (mentioned above) is an online clearinghouse for several consolidators, but if you call the airline asking for Tiss's Summer fares, they will have no idea what you're talking about since consolidators negotiate their contract rates with airlines and set fares independently. A couple other places to try: www.lowestfare.com if your airport is served by TWA, and www.airdeals.com. Good luck.

Call the airlines too. Just booked Cincinnati/Paris/Cincinnati on Delta for $487. Price has been $744 since fall. That particular fare ends with travel completed by 5/15/00 - exactly when we planned to return - I'm sure other airlines have comparable pricing too.