Timing of Flight Booking?
 

I am currently planning a trip to Amsterdam in June 2004 leaving from Miami. I've seen flights ranging from $600 - $1200, how long should I wait to purchase the tickets? I don't want to lose out on the $600 flights but on the other hand would like to wait and see if it gets any cheaper. Any suggestions?

If you know how much it usually costs and this fare looks good book it now. There could be upcoming sales but no one either knows or will say for sure when.

$600 for June is a pretty good fare (unfortunately). That's getting to be high season. You might look at Priceline also. With trans-Atlantic flights they almost all leave in the evening and arrive in the morning so you aren't so much at their mercy for putting you on strangely timed domestic flights.

Hi Leann,

Timing airline tickets is like timing the stock market - impossible to do consistently.

$600 is a good, not bargain, price. I suggest that you take it and not look at prices again.

No, check prices after you book. If they fall, you may be able to get a refund of the difference.

It worked for me last year!

Keith

Take the $600 fare.
I wouldn't rely on Priceline as an alternative, as even if you get a cheaper rate, you're likely to experience one of both of the following situations:
*An inconvenient time.
*A must less desirable route (i.e., changing planes, etc.)

Hi Keith,

Lucky you. I tried that recently and was told that I had agreed to the price and that was that.

Me, too, Ira. BA wouldn't refund a difference of about $150 that occured two days after I booked with them. And I've been a FF with them for years!

If it's late June, it's a good price, but the first half of June tends to be cheaper. I usually don't buy tickets this far ahead, but you'll have to decide if you can stand waiting till February or so, when there MIGHT be sales.