Page 1 of Air flights - whe`ns best to buy?

Early or last minute?
I know booking with the likes of easy jet can see one seat going for £20, and two weeks later the seat next to it go for double, if not triple. But does the same apply to long haul flights? I`m looking to take my girlfriends family to Florida next year (late Sept) - so, do I book as early as is humanly possible or (without getting into the the debacle that is sitting in an airport waiting for a cancellation) is it worth hanging on as late as possible for a better deal?

This item was edited on Wednesday, 15th October 2003, 18:44

Hi Skuzzlobber.

Sorry this isn`t not an answer to your question. I am actually in the same dilema as you (except I want to go to Florida next May) and if I post this it gets it back to the top of the threads.

In my experience early is best for long haul (inc. transatlantic)... lastminute is better for europen and all-in holiday bundles, and it is pot luck with your budget airlines. oh, and it is worth considering that the budget airline websites stick cookies on ya machine and if they know you have looked at a page before, they will give you a different price! If the price rockets up from when you last looked, try it from work etc. as the price may still be the lower one.

Dependent on numerous factors - dollar price/oil price etc etc - but in general better to book ahead if its flights only. If its fly drive wait till the last minute and the prices plummet. Good website is www.cheapflights.co.uk - will usually beat any other website I`ve looked at.

On the point Uncharged Water made about cookies and budget airlines - simply a myth -the budget airlines pricing model usually allocates in buckets of 10-20 seats.

Peter

This item was edited on Wednesday, 15th October 2003, 20:38

unfortunately it is not a myth, as i have been sat next to someone looking at the same tickets for the same flights on different machines, and with over £50 difference in price!!

oh, and it is always worth looking at the airlines websites, as they may be cheapest or have special offers on.. try www.americanairlines.co.uk ...they have special offers on if you book b4 november 3rd.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 15th October 2003, 20:41

Just a quick response - would love to know if anyone can prove the `cookie con` ? Realise this is going off topic - sorry Skuzz - but have heard this repeatedly.
On the subject of two computers showing different prices on same flight at same time - been there, Barcelona internet cafe last year with a 100 others trying to get a flight - was explained away by computers logging on as sales moved and variable pricing policy.

Not causing an argument - just would love to see it proved.

Peter

Best advise buy when you can pay, that way enjoy your holiday.

For my last trip stateside I checked ticket prices daily at a "general use" PC in the foyer at work on lastminute.com, the price hit a low of £225 inc tax to Minneapolis after a week or 2 of flucuating about £250.

I went to book when I got home that night on my home PC & the price dropped to £192 inc tax, couldnt book due to website probs & managed to book at same price via phone on the Saturday morning. Sunday the price was back up to £240

Doesnt really prove anything I know except prices can change for good or bad & its pot luck, I usually try to book at short notice of about a week or less if travelling alone. Hanging around waiting for availability with 3 kids (& the wife) at the airport just doesnt bear thinking about, so that tends to be a absolute minimum of a week.


"Great chunks of my past detaching themselves like melting icebergs"