Should I buy tickets to London for $436 or wait?
 

I know that no one can predict what the airlines will charge from day to day and we've gotten better deals before but I'm wondering if the gas prices and strikes are going to continue to keep the airline prices high for now.
This is on BA and Virgin both from JFK to LHR in March.
Any thoughts?

Personally, I'd take it. Prices might go down, but it's a pretty good rate and if you're comfortable with it, then you're done with it.

I'd go for it, too!

I would base the decision on:

1. Is the itinerary "perfect" for what you want? I assume it's non-stop travel. Is JFK your first choice airport or would there be any advantage to EWR? Is it "exactly " when you want to leave (i.e. early evening versus late? likewise does it arrive too early to suit you, or too late?) I would wait if it's not pretty close to perfect at that price.

2. What are the chances that you may not be able to make the trip at all? I'm not talking about meteor-strikes-the-earth improbable events, but the likely life-changing events - - job stable? any family member in bad health? etc... maybe those could be reasons to wait.

3. Importance of this trip - - which equates to peace of mind, to have this piece of the trip nailed down.... and as a corollary...

difficult? or don't like to... or not comfortable with doing a lot of obsessive checking all the time to get a better fare (perhaps save $100 to $150, if you're lucky, and very compulsive about fare-checking... but then, the itinerary might <i>not</i> be perfect)

Answer these questions in your head, and if it feels right, buy or wait... based on how they do... or do not apply to you.

Lower fares HAVE been available in March on NYC-LON for every year since ... I don't know, as long as I've been paying attention (a decade?) - - but then fuel costs were never this high. Still, sub-$350 may come along this winter again all the same. Those sale fares might or might not fit your needs.

Best wishes,

Rex

With Light Sweet Crude hitting record highs every day, I'd take that price in a heartbeat.

BUY! BUY! BUY!

BYE! BYE! BYE!

Jules

My gut instinct is to buy. I've paid $99 each way from Philly and Boston in the past but as we all know gas was not as high then.
This trip is important as it will be my a trip with my mother and her first time in England.
Thanks to all!!!

But it now and then worry about other trip aspects. Otherwise foolw the most recent strategy outlined on this site: wait a few months and then buy them..FORGET THAT.

If the $436 includes all taxes/fees and you're anxious to get certain dates, I'd buy now.

Even if the $99 fares are offered later in the year (which I doubt given the price of oil), your savings won't be more than $100 or so per ticket.

I'd buy and be happy with it. After all, a bird in the hand . . .

Buy it now, prices will only go up!

tudorprincess, I hope you're still checking this thread this evening. Look what someone just posted:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34668824

Go for it!

That's a very decent price for March. Prices are more likely to go up than down.

You may want to check packages on Priceline for your dates. I scored two really good deals to London with the same flights on Virgin (and we loved Virgin).

As for your $99 fares, they are always &quot;as low as&quot; and never available for your dates (you have to go on dates those fares ARE available).

http://www.maxjet.com/docs/MAXjet_Press_Release_1.pdf

New pricing pressure for NYC-LON?

See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34668986 - - numerous flights per day/night on many, many dates in March for $358.10 - - all fees and taxes included.

I wonder if this will signal competitive fares from other carriers (not to mention the competitive elements of Maxjet entereing the NYC-LON market).

Oh, and this important detail - - you must purchase this fare by September 5.

You might want to look at

<b>http://www.clubabc.com/?action=destinations</b>.

For London, the prices ($699 for 8 days) include 6 nights at a hotel.

Considering fuel costs thats a decent fare worthy of purchase. JFK can get promotional at times and if the jets aren't full, it can get lower. but not by much.

I see that there are also similar fares on American and Continental (Continental flys to Gatwick). If you are daring you can also try Kuwait Airlines, they are posting a fare at $401 !!!

without factoring in the impact on fuel prices consequent on the potential magnitude of the disruption caused by hurricane katrina to refining and offloading of crude in the gulf and the subsequent necessity of airlines to pass on what ever (but, surely, inevitable) additional surcharges...

yeah, i'd book now.

I'd buy now. But then I'm not much of a gambler.