1. #1
    freeVICK
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    Best time to book airline tickets?

    planning a trip this summer, not sure when to pull the trigger on plane tickets. i look everyday and it changes drastically. so when is the best time to book tickets? 1 month in advance, 2 months? 2 weeks?

    help me out guys

  2. #2
    SoV
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    Either really early, or really late.

  3. #3
    freeVICK
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    would really hate to buy my tickets today thinking i got a good deal, only to check tomorrow and see i got fukked in the ass.

    sov, i plan on traveling late may-early june. i think the "really early" period went out the window... what would you consider "really late"?

  4. #4
    iceminers26
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    depends on where you are traveling, certain spots if you wait up until the last minute you can get the best deals

  5. #5
    almir
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    Earlier is the best, no discussion

  6. #6
    SoV
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    Quote Originally Posted by freeVICK View Post
    would really hate to buy my tickets today thinking i got a good deal, only to check tomorrow and see i got fukked in the ass.

    sov, i plan on traveling late may-early june. i think the "really early" period went out the window... what would you consider "really late"?
    Well, it also depends on the demand for the tickets. Also, if you are flexible with dates, it helps. And try and fly on a weekday.Tickets tend to be cheaper on Mon-Thurs compared to Fri-Sun.

  7. #7
    freeVICK
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    not sure if they still do this, but i remember hotwire or one of those sites offered a refund of the difference if your tickets came down in price after you booked...

  8. #8
    boatboatboat
    what the hell is this?
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    Quote Originally Posted by almir View Post
    Earlier is the best, no discussion
    3 weeks ago tics from Indy to San Antonio in Mid july were 625 each. Now they are 340.

    No discussion my ass.

  9. #9
    mtneer1212
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    If you go to bing.com, it will show you the historical fare data for the route and provide a recommendation to buy or wait.

  10. #10
    Domer
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    ive been buying tickets for a while, and the whole thing is anyone's guess at this point. they screw around with the fares quite a bit, so there is definitely no answer SINGLE answer to this question.

    generally speaking, I would say 22 days out is a good time to buy. at the 3 week window, flights generally go up.

    the other thing to take into account is the price of oil, which is going up. that's a huge expense for an airline and it will be passed on to consumers. so if you think the price of oil is going up (i have no clue myself), then now could be a good time.

  11. #11
    boatboatboat
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    Most airlines buy contracts that are 6-9 mths long on fuel prices. (actualy insurance on futures) Airlines today are filling up with fuel they bought in Sept.

  12. #12
    kaliboyz
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    2 weeks ahead, and buy it on either tuesday's night or wednesday's night (online only) saved you aleast $100. Hope this will help

  13. #13
    dbnmln
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    anyone got some good sites on cheap vacation packages?

  14. #14
    SoV
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    Quote Originally Posted by dbnmln View Post
    anyone got some good sites on cheap vacation packages?
    There is not one good site. You will have to look at various sites to check out the best offer.

  15. #15
    no1here
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    agree vacation packages are never a good deal

  16. #16
    WvGambler
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    Before the flight

  17. #17
    blackbox
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    Alligent Airlines 2 weeks at least-sooner if possible -hard to beat the flights to Vegas.

  18. #18
    MMAchicka
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    Anybody look into tickets to Puerto Rico yet?

  19. #19
    Foosball Champ
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    How about tickets to Costa Rica to settle an old score.

  20. #20
    MTek
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    Quote Originally Posted by Domer View Post
    ive been buying tickets for a while, and the whole thing is anyone's guess at this point. they screw around with the fares quite a bit, so there is definitely no answer SINGLE answer to this question.

    generally speaking, I would say 22 days out is a good time to buy. at the 3 week window, flights generally go up.

    the other thing to take into account is the price of oil, which is going up. that's a huge expense for an airline and it will be passed on to consumers. so if you think the price of oil is going up (i have no clue myself), then now could be a good time.

    I think this is a pretty accurate statement, the only thing I can add is.. I've heard Wednesdays are the best time to buy...apparently individual vacation travelers buy on Thursdays through the weekend and business's buy at the beginning of the week.... I dont know how true it is

    The last tickets I bought went up $10.00 from 6 weeks before to 2 weeks before the flight...then shot up $100 until flight time.

    Try to book on something like Orbitz...who will offer "lowest price guarantees"

  21. #21
    Lazy-Man
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    I heard wednesday nights are the best time

  22. #22
    Foosball Champ
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    What website would use to book a flight to Maui? probably in July or August?

  23. #23
    Dutch
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    Quote Originally Posted by no1here View Post
    agree vacation packages are never a good deal

    Vacation packages can be a screaming good deal. Especially if it's to a tourist spot like Cancun.

  24. #24
    vvvv
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    lol

    where u plannin to go.. take couple of us and BOOK now haha

  25. #25
    vill
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    better is to book few months before traveling somewhere, I always try to do that.

  26. #26
    VegasVixen
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    For this summer's travel the earlier the better. They've been predicting higher gas prices all year, even before the issues in the middle east.

  27. #27
    beanbag
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    yeah im still looking for tickets to costa rica for the bash

  28. #28
    nijole
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    I suggest you to buy tickets right now, because they now will be cheaper

  29. #29
    OneLossParlayGuy
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    sooner the bettter, and try to travel on tuesdays or wednesdays

  30. #30
    DeluxeLiner
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    i think earlier the better. sometimes it will go down but losing should average out with winning. unless you feel like oil is about to plummet or something then maybe lay off. then again if you are that sure that oil is going to drop then stop worrying about airline tickets cuz you probably are rolling in the dough.

  31. #31
    SBRMAN23
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    Thanks for all the advice from everyone an.d input will use in future

  32. #32
    19th Hole
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    Quote Originally Posted by no1here View Post
    agree vacation packages are never a good deal

    Absolutely NOT true.
    You can get a hell of a bargain on Apple
    packages. I've paid the price of a flight only for all-inclusive stays with
    flight. If you are headed to Europe, Mexico, CR or DR....
    You can get a last minute
    special or a "Square Deal". You can also use the dropdown feature
    to check out specials from whatever airport you are leaving from.

    Also, I have purchased good packages through Expedia
    and Orbitz. For example, last year I got a flight from Chicago
    and hotel (for 2) for 3 weeks in Acapulco for $1500/US.
    Although, if you see that the prices are
    heading up a tick....you have to pull the trigger
    the next time it ticks downward.

    Good Luck and have a fun trip.

    Also....Check TRAVELZOO for specials.
    Last edited by 19th Hole; 04-26-11 at 04:32 AM. Reason: Added

  33. #33
    Tomahawk
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    Quote Originally Posted by SoV View Post
    Either really early, or really late.
    Yes but later you won't be sure to get a free seat. I think 2-3 month before the flight is the best.

  34. #34
    Gruntworker
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    Early is beter... but there are always last minute deals as well

  35. #35
    noober
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    the earlier the better

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