Should I purchase airfare or Can I Wait?

[SteveBrickNJ]

I have hotel reservations for a week in Ireland. Specifically the 2nd week in AUGUST.
Yet I have not purchased the airfare for my wife and myself. She is really concerned that
another covid variant (like the one CURRENTLY causing lockdowns in China) will come to
Ireland or America or both. Please note: We are only willing to pay for economy class airfare not
business class. Economy class airfare is non refundable.
#1 If we wait too long, will all seats be booked?
#2 If we book now will covid make us regret?
I'm really not sure what to do.
Kindly throw in your 2 cents everyone. Thanks in advance!
Steve
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I am coming back on March 26th to add this link...

19,866 Covid cases as expert says surge 'inevitable'

The Department of Health has been notified of 9,324 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19, as well as 10,542 positive antigen tests logged through the HSE portal.

www.rte.ie

 

[StarWarsGirl]

What airline are you on?

I booked with United for Hawaii. There was non-refundable economy and there was refundable economy. I bought refundable just in case. You might want to shop airlines because they're not all the same.

As far as booking now vs. later...I think your bigger risk is the flights going up in price especially given the rising oil prices. I think you're best off, if you can't get a refundable ticket, looking for a travel insurance policy that covers covid-rwlated issues.

 

[MinnieM123]

I have hotel reservations for a week in Ireland. Specifically the 2nd week in AUGUST.
Yet I have not purchased the airfare for my wife and myself. She is really concerned that
another covid variant (like the one CURRENTLY causing lockdowns in China) will come to
Ireland or America or both. Please note: We are only willing to pay for economy class airfare not
business class. Economy class airfare is non refundable.
#1 If we wait too long, will all seats be booked?
#2 If we book now will covid make us regret?
I'm really not sure what to do.
Kindly throw in your 2 cents everyone. Thanks in advance!
Steve

Wonder if you could buy travel insurance -- might that cover any loss for an airline ticket you could not use?

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

Wonder if you could buy travel insurance -- might that cover any loss for an airline ticket you could not use?

I had it in the past...pre covid. I got it at the time because I had a elderly parent and I was not confident when planning months in advance that on the day of the flight they wouldn't need me. Yet I will have to investigate if travel insurance reimburses due to a hypothetical covid return. A return that all of us hopes never happens. Thanks Minnie.

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

What airline are you on?

I booked with United for Hawaii. There was non-refundable economy and there was refundable economy. I bought refundable just in case. You might want to shop airlines because they're not all the same.

As far as booking now vs. later...I think your bigger risk is the flights going up in price especially given the rising oil prices. I think you're best off, if you can't get a refundable ticket, looking for a travel insurance policy that covers covid-rwlated issues.

I only looked at Aer Lingus thus far. I am open to suggestions. Philadelphia to Dublin.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I had it in the past...pre covid. I got it at the time because I had a elderly parent and I was not confident when planning months in advance that on the day of the flight they wouldn't need me. Yet I will have to investigate if travel insurance reimburses due to a hypothetical covid return. A return that all of us hopes never happens. Thanks Minnie.

If COVID shuts travel down, you'll be able to cancel without insurance. If COVID just makes you nervous where you don't want to fly, insurance won't cover that. If you GET COVID and can't fly, that's where insurance might cover you.

Not worth it imo.

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

If COVID shuts travel down, you'll be able to cancel without insurance. If COVID just makes you nervous where you don't want to fly, insurance won't cover that. If you GET COVID and can't fly, that's where insurance might cover you.

Not worth it imo.

I might look into United because @StarWarsGirl mentioned that.
We are not fearful of getting Covid
We are not really expecting life to be like the winter of 2020
The concern is that travel will be allowed....but once we get to Ireland many indoor venues that i plan for my wife to see will be closed. This would make me WANT to cancel, but as Captain America points out....it makes sense that Insurance would not cover us in that hypothetical situation.
Anyone else want to share their thoughts? The more the merrier

 

[Adventure]

We flew Are Lingus out of Boston 10 years ago. We purchased our tickets fairly early without insurance. The price steadily rose as the trip neared as there are not as many daily flights so we were happy we purchased early. Are you able to view the seating plan and see how many seats are sold/available? I would check every few days to see if there are price increases or if the flight is filling up. Hope the spring and warm temps keep the Covid numbers down and you can enjoy planning and not worrying about your trip. I've been twice and it really is beautiful and everyone is amazingly friendly.

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

We flew Are Lingus out of Boston 10 years ago. We purchased our tickets fairly early without insurance. The price steadily rose as the trip neared as there are not as many daily flights so we were happy we purchased early. Are you able to view the seating plan and see how many seats are sold/available? I would check every few days to see if there are price increases or if the flight is filling up. Hope the spring and warm temps keep the Covid numbers down and you can enjoy planning and not worrying about your trip. I've been twice and it really is beautiful and everyone is amazingly friendly.

My wife says you can NOT view how many seats are remaining until you purchase your airfare......only then do they show the imagine of the inside of the plane's seating so you can select your seats.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

My wife says you can NOT view how many seats are remaining until you purchase your airfare......only then do they show the imagine of the inside of the pane's seating so you can select your seats.

On United, you should be able to go through as if you are purchasing, see how many seats are available, and then click out of it without choosing your seats. They might be a tad more expensive than other airlines (although going to Hawaii, Delta was the most expensive) but if you're worried about cancelling, then it might be a good option.

I'm not sure about other international airlines, but shop around, especially since you're in NJ. You likely have a lot of options.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

@SteveBrickNJ British Airways also flys to Dublin out of NY. They have a flexible ticket that's refundable. I didn't look into too much detail, but it occured to me since Ireland is part of the UK that British Airways might be an option.

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

@SteveBrickNJ British Airways also flys to Dublin out of NY. They have a flexible ticket that's refundable. I didn't look into too much detail, but it occured to me since Ireland is part of the UK that British Airways might be an option.

Thanks my friend! We are not fans of driving to NYC though. We COULD...we sure COULD. We'll first try to fly out of Newark NJ or Philadelphia and save JFK Airport in NYC as a last resort.

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

On United, you should be able to go through as if you are purchasing, see how many seats are available, and then click out of it without choosing your seats. They might be a tad more expensive than other airlines (although going to Hawaii, Delta was the most expensive) but if you're worried about cancelling, then it might be a good option.

I'm not sure about other international airlines, but shop around, especially since you're in NJ. You likely have a lot of options.

I saw the United Airlines website. Enter a non stop out of Newark NJ (EWR) to Dublin. Yes...thanks @StarWarsGirl ...I see the different choices.

 

[Tiggerish]

I saw United Airlines website. Enter a non stop out of Newark NJ (EWR) to Dublin. Yes...thanks @StarWarsGirl ...I see the different choices. View attachment 627584

I think you'll do better than that with Aer Lingus. I fly to Ireland a few times a year, feel free to PM me.

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

I saw United Airlines website. Enter a non stop out of Newark NJ (EWR) to Dublin. Yes...thanks @StarWarsGirl ...I see the different choices. View attachment 627584

I saw United Airlines website. Enter a non stop out of Newark NJ (EWR) to Dublin. Yes...thanks @StarWarsGirl ...I see the different choices. View attachment 627584

We have time @StarWarsGirl
On our desired departure night (Aug. 8th)....
The EWR 7:35pm departure flight arriving in Dublin at 7:05am has 51 Economy Seats remaining
the EWR 10:00pm departure flight arriving in Dublin at 10:11am has 53 Economy seats remaining.
I know this in part because you pointed me in the proper direction...so thanks!
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And that is just United Airlines.
I have not fully checked out Aer Lingus yet. @Tiggerish has offered to help.

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

My wife and I have purchased round trip airfare on Aer Lingus
Leaving Philly Mon. August 8th
Returning to Philly Tues. August 16th
@Tiggerish was very helpful in educating me on the ins and outs of Aer Lingus.

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

 

[Lilofan]

On United, you should be able to go through as if you are purchasing, see how many seats are available, and then click out of it without choosing your seats. They might be a tad more expensive than other airlines (although going to Hawaii, Delta was the most expensive) but if you're worried about cancelling, then it might be a good option.

I'm not sure about other international airlines, but shop around, especially since you're in NJ. You likely have a lot of options.

Love flying United. In Sept 2021 I viewed the seating chart online on the 737 I was flying in. First class was sold out and 11 seats in coach were sold prior to one week departure. No sense upgrading to roomier coach seat. When we boarded there were about 10 of us in coach and the crew let us know we can sit wherever we wanted to. By the end of the flight one crew member gave me enough snacks and treats to fill my shoulder bag. I made a bed of three seats and took a nap. I felt I had better accommodations than the ones paying for a first class seat.

 

[Lilofan]

I have hotel reservations for a week in Ireland. Specifically the 2nd week in AUGUST.
Yet I have not purchased the airfare for my wife and myself. She is really concerned that
another covid variant (like the one CURRENTLY causing lockdowns in China) will come to
Ireland or America or both. Please note: We are only willing to pay for economy class airfare not
business class. Economy class airfare is non refundable.
#1 If we wait too long, will all seats be booked?
#2 If we book now will covid make us regret?
I'm really not sure what to do.
Kindly throw in your 2 cents everyone. Thanks in advance!
Steve

There is that saying most of Europe shuts down in August so locals take a month off to travel and relax. My family found that out firsthand when they went in August years ago. Hopefully areas will be open for you in Ireland to enjoy. My family went to Ireland, they enjoyed the pubs and the sights.

 

[SteveBrickNJ]

There is that saying most of Europe shuts down in August so locals take a month off to travel and relax. My family found that out firsthand when they went in August years ago. Hopefully areas will be open for you in Ireland to enjoy. My family went to Ireland, they enjoyed the pubs and the sights.

That is mostly likely Italy and France according to someone on this thread...

Is Ireland Closed in August - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Europe - Is Ireland Closed in August - My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Ireland in mid August, but have heard that most of Ireland heads south that month for vacations. Does anyone live there, work there, or just go and play there know whether things will be closed while we are there...

www.fodors.com

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August is peak tourism for Ireland and businesses and attraction are open.