When to book airfare to Mexico?
 

My husband and I are traveling from Portland, OR to Puerta Vallarta in February. It will be our first trip to Mexico. I am a little surprised at how expensive the flights are right now ($600+). Does any one know if there is a good chance these fares will go down in the next couple of months? I had hoped it would be less expensive to fly to Mexico than to Hawaii, but right now Mexico is more.

February is HIGH season in Mexico. It usually doesn't get cheaper - it gets more expensive - unless you can wait until the very, very last minute and hope for a fire sale or the like. I buy my February tickets for Mexico every year in July. That is the cheapest time period for standard airfare. If you go on charter flights, you may find a sale closer to your departure date but you run the risk of no tickets or more expensive. Its a toss up.

Yeah, I know it's high season. Duh. It's high season in Hawaii, too, but there are still deals to be had. Anyone out there from Portland who's gotten a cheaper airfare to PVR in February?

I have flown Seattle to PV ~15 times over the past 10 years all months between Nov and March. I usually give just about that, $600+/- on Alaska Air.

Possibly you can find cheaper thru a consolidator or a vacation package deal, but that's pretty standard for the regular airlines.

Mexico used to be cheaper than Hawaii, but not any more. Or not from my personal experience lately (last 2 years to Hawaii instead of Mexico).

Thanks, Suze, that's exactly the info I was looking for. I think I can get a flight for $575 on Alaska right now, so I guess I'd better jump on it!

You're welcome.

On Alaska look carefully at the routing. Sometimes (or at least from Seattle) I can get a non-stop for the same price. Usually you have to transfer planes either San Fran, LAX, or Phoenix even on what they term 'direct'. No big deal, but quicker and easier the few times I've gotten a nonstop flight.

I was also suprised to see that it was more to fly to Mexico than Hawaii! I will be coming from Lexington KY this month. We paid around $1000/ticket through Expedia!! I have watched the rates go UP since we booked the trip in May, so I would definitely recommend booking your trip soon!

Wow, you guys are right! The flights I was considering yesterday went up today! But I was able to book on Alaska for $588, which is about the same as we pay to go to Hawaii in winter. From the online seating charts, these flights are nearly full already.

I thought after I posted- Alaska Air into Mexico flies relative small jets, compared to those megaliners various carriers use on their Hawaii routes. Maybe making the prices and availability differences make a bit more sense.

I forgot to add-We're not flying Alaska Air. We are flying Continental. It had the best rate from Lexington. (We have more limited choices in Kentucky! :))

Just for future reference,many times you can buy a very invexpensive ticket to San Diego and from there take a flight out of Tijuana airport to any place in Mexico. Sometimes making this kind of connection does save you money. For residents of Mexico, traveling in February is very unusual and therefore there are good fares out of Tijuana.

"Yeah, I know it's high season. Duh. It's high season in Hawaii, too"

PDXGIRL: What a rude reply. You asked if anyone knew if there was a "good chance these fares will go down in the next couple of months", I gave you quite a civil, thoughtful response to your question -- and in the end you paid the $600 for your ticket so my reply was also correct. If you wished more information on specific flights, you need only ask. Your comments were crass and needless.

However, I hope you enjoy Mexico. It is a lovely country and the people are quite kind. Do try to be kind in return.

"February is HIGH season in Mexico." I read your responsse as assuming I am too stupid to know February is high season in Mexico. My response was intented to point out the condescending tone of your response in a lighthearted manner. It was not intended to be rude and I'm sorry you took it that way.

I'm afraid I'm with TC on this one. You said it was your first trip to Mexico, you said you were surprised at the rates, and you wondered if rates would go DOWN for a February trip. I think TC's answer was kind and concise.

As it happened I was able to answer your exact question from personal experience but quite honestly almost didn't reply because of your needlessly rude comment.

I don't mean to make a big deal, but as someone who has gotten priceless information for several years now (for Mexico, Hawaii, and Europe) from this BB... the nicer you are the more folks want to help you.

Great post suze--couln't agree more! The nicer you are, the more folks want to help!

I just checked with Alaska Airlines (on line} and airfare from Portland, Or to PV is $497.15 round trip. That is with all taxes.

For February travel? Or right now?

I'm heading down to PVR for Thanksgiving. Was *SHOCKED* at how high the fares were even from Houston (which is less than 2 hours by air). Since I can always snag $200 RT fares to Mexico City, I figured I could do around the same into Puerto Vallarta. No dice. I was getting $500-600 RT fares.

Screw that!

I booked a $200 RT ticket into Guadalajara and got a compact rental car for $129/week through National. For a family of 3, I'm saving about $1000 by being willing to drive a couple hours each way and deal with the nuisance factor. On the bright side, I've got the car if I want to do side trips during the week...

High fares to PVR. Harumph!

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

I travel to Mexico every November and have definitely seen prices go up considerably over the past few years. I fly from Seattle and always fly Alaska. Since I've gotten an Alaska credit card, I get a $50 companion fare each year. My husband and I watch ticket prices carefully starting in July; they usually go on sale in August/September. We buy a full price ticket (this year was $484), then use the companion coupon so the total cost per ticket is around $270. Then we use miles or coupons to upgrade to first class and consider ourselves very lucky to have managed to get a deal!

Yes, flights to Mexico are now comparable to flights to Hawaii. But in my experience, your money goes much further in Mexico, once you get there. Dining and lodging are less expensive than Hawaii, even at the luxury level.

Have a great trip!

AmericaWest is offering incredible fares to several cities in Mexico on the new routes out of San Diego, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Tickets need to be purchased soon. Check AmeriWest.com for deals.