Christmas airfare
 

My son just found out he has the time off to come home for Christmas. Any insight into whether I should book airfare now (at pretty high prices) or should I chance waiting a little longer? He will be flying Maui to either Oakland or San Francisco on Dec 22 and trying to return 12/27 or 28. Mahalo

Often, not always, you will get a better airfare booked under the "14-day advance" rules...and since today is the 8th and the 22nd is 14 days away I think you should probably buy today. If you do, book by 9PM Pacific just in case they use Eastern Time on the booking website. You still have a few hours to look around -- have you tried www.cfares.com to compare pricing? It's pretty good, and you don't have to be a member to book the Gold Fares (just the Platinum ones.)

I was in the same boat last week and had to bite the bullet and purchase -- didn't do too bad considering fares are pretty high this year, it seems especially high for Bay Area airports.

I dont think your prices for Christmas will get any cheaper this close to Christmas, Priceline or Hotwire may be your best bet.I think you will be taking a chance waiting on a last minute deal.
I bought Christmas travel tickets from New Orleans to Colorado Springs in Feb. for $162 ea.
The same tickets are now over $750 ea.
I also noticed there is only a few seats left on them .
Maybe someone who is familar with your route can offer better insite.
Good luck

$395 for OGG-OAK-OGG Dec 22-28 nonstops on ATA (at travelocity). I'd buy it. Or $465 for SFO nonstops on United.

The United fare is actually a sale fare:
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50074,00.html

Mahalo for the info. I decided not to book within the 14 day window, since I am still hoping prices will drop to fill available seats. I would have jumped on that ATA price except it is not available on the 28th now, only the 29th and he has to be back at work in the afternoon. Will probably go with ATA anyways. Finding the flight back is the hardest. Back to searching......

Please let us know the results.

Fare are more likely to rise than fall. Are you shopping sites where you can check available seats? Plans may fill up by the time you decide to book.

Continued to search last night and again this morning. Cheapest was $569. Had decided to book tomorrow at whatever I could get. Then, tried again tonite & success!! OGG/HNL/SFO 12/22 & SFO/OGG 12/27 for $405 on Aloha/United, booked on Orbitz. I will continue to monitor airfare just to see what happens for future reference and keep you posted.