Escalating Plane Fares
 

I have been holding off on actually booking our trip to Europe in May, waiting for airfares to somewhat stabilize. This may be asking a lot! I have the dates planned and some of the hotel reservations confirmed. <BR> <BR>On Tuesday, 10/23, US Airways open jaw from Raleigh-Durham to Munich for May 15 with a return from Frankfurt to RDU on June 5, was $943.60. This was on their web site. <BR> <BR>The same flight today is $1101! <BR> <BR>I have been reluctant to book US Airways since I wasn't sure they would even be in business in May. <BR> <BR>I have some time to make decisions, but I really think there is going to be a lot of consolidating in the airline industry. Prices may go up, but why book on an airline that may not be around? <BR> <BR>By the same token, looking at the calendar, May is not that far off. <BR> <BR>HELP!!! <BR> <BR>Dick <BR>

I am tentatively planning on going in May as well. I spoke to cheaptickets and they told me to look for lower fares in Feb March. I would wait to get your tickets. I do think you should book your hotels now or within the next month though (at least for Paris, which is where I'm going).

Dick, thanks for posting your question. I have been watching prices and wondering the same thing. My airline requirements also are for the end of May/beginning of June 2002. The price jumps were making my eyes pop, too, but now I am wondering if patience might not pay off. <BR> <BR>Any other input would be great.

I purchased tickets to Rome from Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago for $514.00 each when Delta was having a fare sale (for departure on December 28 and return on January 8). At the time, most other airlines were over $600.00. I've been keeping an eye on prices to see if Delta goes any lower. However, today I saw that US Airways is selling tickets for $433.00 with a similar flight schedule; I could have saved $162.00! <BR> <BR>Maybe someone else can take advantage of this.

We flew RDU to Munich in April '99 and RDU to Frankfurt in April '00. The tickets were $450 in '99 and $420 in '00. And to get these prices I searched the consolidator websites almost daily but didn't find any real low fares until Feb. both years. In your case you might have to wait until March. I know you want to get plans firmed up as soon as possible but to get the low fares you need to be patient. Good luck.

Thanks for the great responses. I feel encouraged to "hang in there". <BR> <BR>As Tom says, I'm anxious to get everything booked and out of the way. I think I will finish booking my hotels. This way I am COMMITTED!! Then I will deal with the airfares. <BR> <BR>Anymore info would always be appreciated. <BR> <BR>Dick

If you go to msnbc web site today, you will see an article about a great fare sale by British Air, which also includes refundable tickets.

It might be worthwhile waiting. Last April I bought RT ticket Baltimore to Frankfurt on USAirways for $342 for travel late May. Airlines usually offer cheap fares for the early spring, and I was lucky they extended that through early June travel.

Here's the URL for that story cited by Santa Chiara: <BR> <BR>http://www.msnbc.com/news/647706.asp <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

It's far too early to book now for May. You're going to pay the very highest prices right now. <BR> <BR>Wait until February. But remember that you are flying at a peak time to Europe, so it's likely not going to be cheap.

My theory is if you see a fare that you think is great for your dates of travel, I would buy it now rather than wait until a better one comes along. <BR>I bought tickets for mid-June 2002 travel last month. When I looked at the fares, I saw a couple that were not only reasonable but fantastic!! Chicago to Paris on UA(non-stop) for $650 tax included and Chicago to Paris with one stop for $535 + tax on Air France. I thought of going open jaw leaving out of Nice instead of Paris into Chicago and BA offered $686 + tax. Those are great fares from the mid-west and for peak summer travel dates!! The same routes today cost as much as $300/person. So I don't wait for sale fares anymore especially since we travel in the summer!! <BR>Good Luck.

I'm actually looking to visit Rome at the end of February and have been holding off on buying tickets based on what a consolidator told me - hold off until mid November. Should I believe him? Orbitz is advertising a $500 fare from DFW, but I keep thinking it's got to drop more based on my travel time during low season. What's your opinion?

Just back from Frankfurt, US Airways - both directions the plane was less than half full. While that is just great for taking a nap and using the toilette, it can't be good for airfares. They must go up. Once travel gets back to normal or the airlines adapt to the reduced traveling population (e.g., fewer, but full flights), the prices should also come closer to normal - which as we all know can vary over $1000! I'd hold off, however, because the airlines have a lot of adapting to do yet and it may mean that some adapt out of the game.