I am going to be flying from Washington DC to Athens in June. Most flights I see are about $1,000. I am wondering if this is typical and I should just buy or if sales usually pop-up?

Hi cas,

Have you checked www.kayak.com, www.mobissimo.com and www.1800flyeurope.com?

I think you have a 40% chance of seeing something lower than what they are offering now.

The guess from ira - - albeit an educated one - - is just a guess. So, while we are guessing, I will add some further quantitation to the guessing game.

In the next 60 days, I will agree with 40% chance of saving $75-125...

20-25% chance of saving $125-175

10% chance of saving $175-250.

A lot depends on how flexible you are, on dates in June (especially day of the week) and routing.

I would add a 30% chance of finding that you are stuck with not being able to find anything under $1150 if you wait a full 60 days.

Best wishes,

Rex

That seems high to me, have you checked the separate airlines' websites as well? Sometimes they'll surprise you. Also check the Sunday Travel section of your local big-city newspaper for airline consolidators' advertisements.

If I found a flight for less than $1,000US to Athens in June I'd book it.
I haven't paid less than that for the past three years.

Casvas...If in your research, you determine at what point you will pull the trigger on your airline ticket, DO IT!! Dont find it on Orbitz or whatever site, then go to ANY travel site and ask or say look what I found is it good great or a dud.......just book it....Yesterday on the US board, Patty found a $267 fare Los Angeles to Honolulu...was it a great fare? yes Did she book it? yes.....is it still there TODAY? no......So you be the judge...what is your best and most comfirtable level....find your fare and away you go..Best of Luck!

Forget Rex's percentages. Who knows where they came from? I don't even know if he's ever been to Greece? If you see a flight near 1,000 US grab it.

okay, I need to fly to Milan and out of Florence on specific dates. I have found a fare for $985 (with out all those other charges that they add, with them, it is close to $1300) does anyone think that is good? This is from North Carolina. Thanks!

My guesses are labeled as what they are: guesses. The statement that ira made is fulfilled if casvas finds a fare $1 lower. I was trying to give someindication that a significantly lower fare is distinctly improbable. I agree with the advice to buy a fare that suits the needs well, and is available for under $1000. Note that I _guessed_ a nearly equal probability that waiting could result in getting stuck with a HIGHER fare (than $1000).

More gobbledyook,
I doubt you'll find anything less than $1000-$1200. We fly from BOS-ATH usually at the end of June-July4th, with a return of AUG 24-27th. I don't care what percentages Rex uses, if you can find these flights for less, please let me know.

Delta is supposed to start flying Atlanta-Athens nonstop this spring. Perhaps there is a new route fare? I know that they fly nonstop out of JFK but usually when an airline starts a new route there are some deals?

rex - I appreciate your educated guess. And I say educated because I have read many of your other posts. I also appreciate you indicating that I may get stuck with the higher fare in the end.

I had checked everywhere, and that was the best I could find too--I've been looking at the prices for about 6 months and there hasn't been much change. So I went ahead and booked because I didn't want to take the chance of them going up. We are also flying from DC to Athens in June--our flight was $1180 each, there were cheaper ones (cheapest I found was $990), but I wanted to get my miles for certain airlines, and the cheapest ones were on Olympic and I have read a lot of bad things about them! Good luck!