How many months in advance do you - on average - book flights?

[japanese maple]

For us (well, me), we usually book pretty much as soon as we know we are going. This trip is a bounce-back and wasn't planned. So while I'm almost definite we are going at end of October, I won't be confident until May/June, so like 5 months out. I have NEVER waited this long to book airfare and it's making me nervous. I'm worried already high prices are going to skyrocket.

How quick or not so quick do you all book your flights?

 

[SL6827]

Wonder if Disney has it in mind to eventually cut down the number of years of ownership for resorts in the future? Cha- ching!

 

[japanese maple]

Wonder if Disney has it in mind to eventually cut down the number of years of ownership for resorts in the future? Cha- ching!

I think you answered the wrong thread.

 

[SL6827]

I think you answered the wrong thread.

Lord I may have.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We tend to book as soon as we can for as many flights as we can. Since we're DVC, that often means 11+ months out.

 

[DaniellePoppins]

I tend to book as soon as they become available if I'm booked for a trip already at that point. Flights are usually available at 11 months in advance and tend to be the absolute lowest price when they are released. The other thing I've done is put my flights into google flights and have it track the price for me.

 

[Robber Baron]

We always book flights when we make lodging reservations.

Seems like everything I read gives some type of time frame to get better rates. Most of those always say waiting until 2 or 3 months and in closer to your dates will get better pricing.

I always check rates for my flights as it gets closer and rates always go up to higher than my purchase price.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Flights are cheapest around 2 months out and that’s when we usually book

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

We usually use miles for flights so we tend to book early for lower rates and choice in flights.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

As soon as they become available. By that point, we already have our hotel booked.

 

[sponica]

It depends. If it's a high travel time like a school vacation week, I'll book as soon as I know we're going or on SW fare release day (TBD how I view that in the future)

 

[sam_gordon]

Flights are cheapest around 2 months out and that’s when we usually book

That's "on average" and doesn't always apply. I can provide plenty of anecdotal evidence about prices being cheaper before the two month mark.

We've bought as soon as they're available, we've bought at 10 months, and we've bought at 6 months.

The best plan, IMO, is as soon as you know when/where you're going is to start stalking airfare. I personally use google flights (https://google.com/flights) Know how much you're willing to pay. Once the price hits the mark, buy. If you don't have a refundable fare AND will be upset if the prices drop, don't look again. You can't be upset if you don't know the prices drop, right?

 

[japanese maple]

That's "on average" and doesn't always apply. I can provide plenty of anecdotal evidence about prices being cheaper before the two month mark.

We've bought as soon as they're available, we've bought at 10 months, and we've bought at 6 months.

The best plan, IMO, is as soon as you know when/where you're going is to start stalking airfare. I personally use google flights (https://google.com/flights) Know how much you're willing to pay. Once the price hits the mark, buy. If you don't have a refundable fare AND will be upset if the prices drop, don't look again. You can't be upset if you don't know the prices drop, right?

I'm just nervous to purchase now because if we have to push the trip out, I know to use a travel credit with United, it has to be by the date you originally booked ticket. And I don't want to go in March.

I think I will wait until mid-April (will hopefully have more of an idea if we are secure in going) and purchase, that way if we have to push it back, we like Mid-April (after Easter next year).

The cost is what is is I suppose. And yes, once I purchase, I never look back!

 

[PrincesCJM]

As teacher who has frequently gone during our spring break (April), I would buy flights 11 months out. As soon as I could. Prices would only go up from there. This year, we are going in August before school starts and I have yet to buy tickets. I'm looking almost daily but they aren't quite at the price I'd like to pay.

Am I a bad person for hoping that all these recent plane issues lower the price of flights?!

 

[_19disnA]

This topic gets discussed quite frequently. It depends on a number of factors and there is no one 'rule of thumb' that applies to every situation. During peak travel times around major holidays, you should book as soon as you know your plans. Airlines have little incentive to offer discounts/sales during peak travel times where flight will typically be full. Sales are usually offered on less popular routes to help fill up airplanes. Someplace like Orlando is a popular travel destination year-round due to the warmer weather and popular attractions like Disney or Universal.

Regardless of when you are traveling, lowest priced tickets or those for non-stop flights or most desirable travel times also sell out before other options. If you travel from an airport serviced by many airlines, you often have more choices since there is more competition. If you are departing from a less popular or smaller/regional airports, you will typically have fewer choices. Someone might also have a choice of departure airport due to where they live.

If you don't care what time of day you travel or if the flight is non-stop, you can take a chance and wait longer to book your flight. Each flight regardless of the airline only has a certain number of the lowest priced seats. Once those are sold, the fare will jump to the next higher category. Waiting longer and hoping for a sale might also mean you have to pay a higher price for one of the remaining seats that wasn't your optimal plan for travel.

 

[japanese maple]

This topic gets discussed quite frequently. It depends on a number of factors and there is no one 'rule of thumb' that applies to every situation. During peak travel times around major holidays, you should book as soon as you know your plans. Airlines have little incentive to offer discounts/sales during peak travel times where flight will typically be full. Sales are usually offered on less popular routes to help fill up airplanes. Someplace like Orlando is a popular travel destination year-round due to the warmer weather and popular attractions like Disney or Universal.

Regardless of when you are traveling, lowest priced tickets or those for non-stop flights or most desirable travel times also sell out before other options. If you travel from an airport serviced by many airlines, you often have more choices since there is more competition. If you are departing from a less popular or smaller/regional airports, you will typically have fewer choices. Someone might also have a choice of departure airport due to where they live.

If you don't care what time of day you travel or if the flight is non-stop, you can take a chance and wait longer to book your flight. Each flight regardless of the airline only has a certain number of the lowest priced seats. Once those are sold, the fare will jump to the next higher category. Waiting longer and hoping for a sale might also mean you have to pay a higher price for one of the remaining seats that wasn't your optimal plan for travel.

I mentioned above I will probably buy in mid-April. That's 6 months out. Between United and American there are about 11 flights out to Orlando everyday so I'm sure we can get on one of those! We will fly after noon to evening, fine for us. Just can't go before noon this trip.

I looked at flights today and any of the flights I would want still have every seat available, so I'm thinking waiting until mid-April should be fine!

thanks!

 

[Jnaquin4]

Usually as early as possiible. They will generally refund the difference if the price goes down any.

 

[Ronaldo17]

We used to book asap but now we wait until 2-3 months before we go, that's when the best prices are.

 

[elvispursley]

We also tend to do 2-3 months out. But if it’s during summer or around Christmas/thanksgiving, we will book as early as we can.