When to book flights

Old Dec 1st, 2016, 07:15 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When to book flights

Hi,

Planning on heading to Paris in July 2017. How far in advance should I book the flight? have my eye on a specific, non stop 10pm flight, but not sure how soon I should book so as not to miss out on that specific one. Worried about the cost if I need to cancel for any reason.

Thanks.

PS Anyone familiar with a decent airBnB in Paris (with air conditioning)?

thanks
perkie1968 is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 07:26 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You book when you are ready and you think the price is right. There is no right or wrong time.

Take out insurance in case you have to cancel. It should cover accommodation, flights, etc.
ribeirasacra is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 08:38 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I never book ahead of about 3-5 months. So for July, I try to be making my arrangements for flight, at least, around February-March. Maybe April if I can't make up my mind what I want to do.

Prices go up as it gets closer, but I doubt if all seats being sold out will be a problem unless you wait until 1-2 months before the flight.

I don't know what reasons you envision as making you cancel, but I would buy trip insurance if you are concerned about that and your reasons don't involve that you just may change your mind or something trivial like that. If you think you could break your leg or something, even that may not be covered by trip insurance if it's just an inconvenience and you may not be able to do the same things, but could easily fly. A death in a close family or serious illness that means you can't fly should be covered. Unless you buy "cancel for any reason" insurance and that can be expensive.

Besides, you don't lose the entire air fare if you cancel except maybe some real budget unusual airlines (not the big ones). there is a change fee of about $200 nowadays, I think, but you aren't out the entire ticket fee.
Christina is online now  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 09:01 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 42,600
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I strongly suggest you read ANY travel insurance policy thoroughly before spending money. You might just be amazed at what is and is not covered including some of those things other people "think" would be. It is up to you, obviously.

I do not understand the rationale for waiting to book flights unless you have some absolute knowledge that the price IS going to come down.

And nobody HAS that. If they did, everybody would book at the same time.
Dukey1 is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 09:04 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There have been some REALLY good sales recently for flights next year. If you have a plan, I'd arrange for notifications on Google flights.
elberko is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 09:42 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

Most of those sales have been for the spring or late winter.

To the OP: get a hotel. Most short-term rentals in Paris are illegal.
BigRuss is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 10:11 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

And the authorities are cracking down on illegal rentals in Paris.
Mimar is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 10:21 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sign up for price alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner. I was able to secure tickets for mid August at one third the normal fare on Delta. The sale lasted about a day. I couldn't book my first choice as I waited too long but was able to book an alternative airport at the same price. Adjusted my destination slightly to accommodate. The sale allowed me to choose my desired dates of travel over a period of about 9 months out.
Huggy is offline  
Old Dec 1st, 2016, 10:29 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Air France has had some amazing sales in recent days. Keep an eye on them. I don't know how far out they are for, but it's worth signing up for alerts from them. You may also be able to do a good deal on Icelandic, with even a stopover in Iceland if you like - that's what we've done the last two times we flew to France.

Don't do Airbnb in Paris. Get a hotel.
StCirq is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Blondie21
Europe
18
Jun 11th, 2014 08:46 PM
cbgetaway2015
Europe
18
May 29th, 2014 07:48 PM
circasurvive
Air Travel
9
Mar 20th, 2014 01:15 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -