Although I fly frequently, it has been several years since I have flown over the Christmas holidays. I understand the fares have gone up but the Christmas fares seem eyepopping to me right now.

Am I looking too early for Christmas fares? Should I wait? Will the fares go down later? Or is right now the best fares you'll get?

Might help to know where you are coming from, and where you are going?

fla to the west coast

Holiday fares are always high - and fuel increases have bumped everything up.

Unless the costs are outrageous - like 3 times what you paid before - and you have done due diligence in your searches (all discount sites, alternate airports etc) I wouldn;t want to wait and be shut out. (Some of my stepdaughter's college friends get plane tickets for holidays as soon as they have their semester schedule.)

Relatives of mine report, that sometimes if you fly right on the holiday you can save. Also the alternative airports (such as SJC or OAK instead of SFO) by nytraveler was a good suggestion.