Airfare Sales

[Breezy]

Does anyone know if there are going to be any airfare sales? I know not too long ago there were. We're looking for airfare in early December.

 

[NeverEnufDisney]

I generally use Kayak.com to get a feel for what the prices are running. Then I look high and low on various web discounters, airlines, etc. When I find a fare that's running sufficiently lower than the average and I'm satisfied with the variables of airline, takeoff times, wait times at hubbs, etc. I snatch it up. According to USAToday's Today in the Sky blog there may be lower fares until early Summer, but after that it's possible that the airlines will have cut more capacity and allow them to raise prices back up a bit. The blogger for USAToday runs a Wednesday chat at 1 PM Eastern and takes questions. Hope this helps a bit. Happy Hunting!

 

[Breezy]

Thank you, I completely forgot about Kayak.com. I'm off to there now.

 

[SAV]

Remember to go to the airline site itself to book. You will save the extra fees tacked on by the external site(Travelocity, Expedia, etc.)

I have had good results looking at Flexible Dates on Travelocity to do my initial research. They allow more than a 30 day window to look at fares. Then from there looking at Kayak or whatever to see a better view of the fares(I don't like the Travelocity interface). I actually ended up getting a round trip from Chicago for $124 because of some special going on that wasn't showing up on the other sites because my initial return date wasn't within the date that the fare ended. Just make sure to expand your search a couple of weeks before and after your desired window in case there is a deal ending or starting after your preferred time.

 

[nancy33458]

I worked for the airlines for 18 years, just keep going on their individual websites and see, there are always sales going on.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Depends how long this global recession lasts - airlines need money too and the best way to get business is to operate at a reduced profit. Keep checking those websites

 

[KeithVH]

We always go in December. We stay concierge and always make our room reservations by February. We start watching airfare in March. DW and I trade off but check flights almost daily. In multiple trips in the last ten years, we have never purchased tix before mid-July. In some cases as late as August. But never later. And except for once, we've always been happy with the price relative to the before and after price range.

My wife used to be Customer Service for a major airline (the people who check you in) and there's no great trick to finding the cheapest fare. Know what the going price is and watch often. It will bottom out at some point and then start to climb. Jump then. Doesn't hurt to set a price range and match that.

 

[MM15Disney]

I received an email today from Continental for some specials to FL

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/deals/offers/featured_fares_spring_break_family.aspx

 

[John M]

if you go directly to the airlines website you usually can get the best deals and lowest airfares through the airlines own website if you go the first two weeks of December it's usually cheaper than the last two