NWR - How far in advance re: plane tickets?

tcnoble

How far in advance do you typically purchase airline tickets for a trip within the continental U.S.? I'm talking for a trip you have planned, not a wedding that you get 6-8 weeks notice.. Curious what the travel gurus will say!

littlepep

Generally speaking, I start looking 2-3 months out and then monitor until the prices go down. If they don't look like they are going to go down, I usually go ahead and by them 

novella1186

I usually buy my tickets (or start looking at prices) around 3 months out if it's within the US, because that's how far out I plan my trips. 

But I'm usually a spur-of-the-moment person, and these days I'm more likely to do a road trip if it's within the continental US. 

For example, several years ago my college boyfriend was at my parents' house [in Indiana] hanging out with me during xmas break. We had this conversation:

Him: "This break has been boring. We should do something fun."

Me: "We could drive to New Mexico. My favorite aunt lives there." 

Him: "ok." 

We packed and left an hour later. Plane tickets would have ruined the fun of that. And would have defeated our chance to stop at Whataburger in Texas. 

annathy03

I monitor as soon as I know we're for sure going somewhere and buy when they're a price we can swing, generally 2 months out or so for nonholidays and further out for Christmas.

Also, I need to get a travel turtle

thisismynickname2

Domestic, less than 3 months. Usually buy by two months. 

Overseas? As soon as they're available and at a price I can afford!  

(I voted ride my turtle. Because now that I'm an airline employee spouse, "buying" is very rare- only in the event we have to be somewhere.)

lovegood90

I said 3 or less months, because we usually don't know that we want to travel domestically (ie within Canada) or to the US more than 3 months out. The last 3 trips we've taken within Canada or to the US we booked 1 month out or less (not the smartest choice!).

If we're going somewhere international, I like to book it 6 months or more out because I find it's cheapest, but SO drags his feet on decisions so those tickets end up being around 3 months out.

ETA: I know the US is technically "international" for me, but I always seem to lump it in with Canada because it's usually the same amount of effort (in terms of price and travel time) to travelling within Canada.

tcnoble

I'm a major plan-in-advance person so we already know we are going to DC next year in March. Flights are available now, at a price we can afford, but I'm not sure if we could expect to see them go down significantly. We are traveling during Spring Break so I'm not sure I can count on anything becoming cheaper... Bleh. 

Maggie0829

I guess about 3-4 months out.  That is usually the time when I make plans for a vacation.  As soon as I know that we are going somewhere I book all travel and lodging.  I know I could probably save money by waiting but I am one who just wants to make sure that all the major items for trips are booked and paid for so I don't have to worry about it later.

tcnoble

Maggie0829 said:

I guess about 3-4 months out.  That is usually the time when I make plans for a vacation.  As soon as I know that we are going somewhere I book all travel and lodging.  I know I could probably save money by waiting but I am one who just wants to make sure that all the major items for trips are booked and paid for so I don't have to worry about it later.

This is me. We already booked a hotel because the price was do-able, but now I'm struggling with waiting to book air because I just want to know it's all done!

hellosweetie1015

I haven't ever booked plane tickets. I don't go anywhere I would need to fly on my own, and we ride in FI's rather turtle-shaped, if not turtle-colored, car anytime we go places together.

So I picked my obvious choice - turtle riding.

NowIAmSyp

Helpful hint:  I think I remember being told that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to search for- and buy- airline tickets...  not sure how true that is, but wanted to share

buttercup1958

I guess I'm starting to learn my traveling/planning style. V and I have decided to take a road trip up to Alaska. We are super excited! It might be awhile before we can do something like this again. So far, I've decided a route that we should use and all the national parks/cool stuff we would like to see along the way. But we have nothing actually booked, we are going to wing it so we aren't stressed. Wherever we stop for the night, we might explore for a bit.

 But we aren't picky about hotels or anything. Right now I'm watching the airfare. I'm flying back and so begins V's and I long distance relationship. Sigh. But at least we have something amazing to look forward too! V and I love road trips though.

redoryx

soontobesyp said:

Helpful hint:  I think I remember being told that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to search for- and buy- airline tickets...  not sure how true that is, but wanted to share

I think there's some truth to this. I know I'm able to buy tickets for less air miles on Tuesdays. 

lyndausvi

I start looking as soon as I know where we are going.  i tend to buy less then 3 months.  But that even varies.  I've bought tickets 6 months out because of an awesome deal.  I've also bought tickets with less then 14 days out (and they were cheaper then 3 months out). 

Honestly it's really all over the place.     We do not generally plan vacations too far out.   The last one we bought the tickets 6 weeks out because that is when we decide to even leave on vacation.

huskypuppy14

This is very timely, because I just booked our flight to St Thomas today!

 We're going in August, so that's about 3 months out. The price was reasonable and I wanted to make sure we got on a good flight with only one layover, and that the time was reasonable. I chose the price I can afford option.

novella1186

redoryx said:

soontobesyp said:

Helpful hint:  I think I remember being told that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to search for- and buy- airline tickets...  not sure how true that is, but wanted to share

I think there's some truth to this. I know I'm able to buy tickets for less air miles on Tuesdays. 

Yeah, if your dates are flexible, there is a price difference in days. Once, I found the cheapest tickets if I left on a Thursday. I flew one-way from Vegas to California on a Monday for like $60. 

It's based on demand. Supposedly the lowest demand for flights is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when people are less likely to travel. Highest demand is on weekend days when most people travel. 

Lower demand drives prices down. Basic economics. (Although those days of the week aren't ALWAYS the cheapest, it does help to check) 

lyndausvi

huskypuppy14 said:

This is very timely, because I just booked our flight to St Thomas today!

 We're going in August, so that's about 3 months out. The price was reasonable and I wanted to make sure we got on a good flight with only one layover, and that the time was reasonable. I chose the price I can afford option.

I miss STT.

I'm hoping to go back next April.  We will see though.

daria24

Usually about 30-45 days out, more for international tickets. I have found that Tuesday or Wednesday around 12pm is when the price drops seem to happen. But I also live in NYC where we have 3 airports and major competition, so there is more variance in price than in a smaller places. 

huskypuppy14

lyndausvi said:

huskypuppy14 said:

This is very timely, because I just booked our flight to St Thomas today!

 We're going in August, so that's about 3 months out. The price was reasonable and I wanted to make sure we got on a good flight with only one layover, and that the time was reasonable. I chose the price I can afford option.

I miss STT.

I'm hoping to go back next April.  We will see though.

Any tips or recommendations?

princessleia22

I once heard somewhere that the best prices are about 6 weeks before flight... but that can vary.  So, I usually look around 2 months beforehand.  If I'm looking to travel over holidays, I buy as early as possible... I've had times that I was traveling at Christmas and if I didn't buy before August it would cost me twice as much.

tcnoble

lyndausvi said:

I start looking as soon as I know where we are going.  i tend to buy less then 3 months.  But that even varies.  I've bought tickets 6 months out because of an awesome deal.  I've also bought tickets with less then 14 days out (and they were cheaper then 3 months out). 

Honestly it's really all over the place.     We do not generally plan vacations too far out.   The last one we bought the tickets 6 weeks out because that is when we decide to even leave on vacation.

We are able to plan trips pretty far out because I'm a teacher.. So we generally know a year out when we can take trips and start looking/pricing as soon as we can. I'm just impatient, really. 

tcnoble

princessleia22 said:

I once heard somewhere that the best prices are about 6 weeks before flight... but that can vary.  So, I usually look around 2 months beforehand.  If I'm looking to travel over holidays, I buy as early as possible... I've had times that I was traveling at Christmas and if I didn't buy before August it would cost me twice as much.

Our next trip is during Spring Break which has me apprehensive about waiting...

jacques27

novella1186 said:

redoryx said:

soontobesyp said:

Helpful hint:  I think I remember being told that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to search for- and buy- airline tickets...  not sure how true that is, but wanted to share

I think there's some truth to this. I know I'm able to buy tickets for less air miles on Tuesdays. 

Yeah, if your dates are flexible, there is a price difference in days. Once, I found the cheapest tickets if I left on a Thursday. I flew one-way from Vegas to California on a Monday for like $60. 

It's based on demand. Supposedly the lowest demand for flights is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when people are less likely to travel. Highest demand is on weekend days when most people travel. 

Lower demand drives prices down. Basic economics. (Although those days of the week aren't ALWAYS the cheapest, it does help to check)

Are you referring to days to fly out or days to make your ticket purchase?  What you said it certainly true for flying out, too. 

The prior rule of thumb was that fares were cheapest on Tuesday, going into Wednesday (meaning the exact same flight would cost less if you made the purchase on Tuesday instead of Friday).  The theory was that airlines would release their fares on Monday and then competitors would scramble on Tuesday to try to match or beat those fares.

However, there was recently an article in Money about a recent study that found Sunday was the cheapest day to make your purchase.  They also recommended making your purchase 50-100 days in advance.  I don't fly enough to really know how much truth there is to the Sunday vs. Tuesday thing (I know the Tuesday thing USED to be true at least).  I believe the new reasoning is that execs are looking to start the work week off maximizing their profit and then reduce the prices as the week goes on and that most people are likely to be doing their search at home on the weekend and might be drawn in by cheaper fares. So if you have awhile yet, you may want to watch several flights and see if you notice any difference in cost over the course of the week comparing fares on Sunday to fares on Tuesday.

JoanE2012

I start watching flights as soon as we have confirmed dates.  Will usually book by about 3-4 months out, depending on how fast the flight is filling up.

ohannabelle

Truths-

Supply and demand, fuel prices, operating costs, need to generate more revenue, competitor pricing...there are a bajillion factors that determine the price of a fare. And Lyndausvi is right. It's all over the place. 

Buying the ticket on Tuesday or Wednesday doesn't matter. I've been asked 1000 times about it, and nope. Fares are released pretty much every day, 365 days a year. 

Actually traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday will make it more likely bet that you'll find a good fare still available, and better availability for mileage points. Saturdays are surprisingly good, too. People like to leave on Fridays, come back Sunday, but most people don't want to break up the weekend early. 

There are so many low, mid and high priced fares assigned per plane. (Huge over simplification, but in a nutshell.) The longer you wait, the more likely it is the lowest priced fares will be gone. Lower fares (most restricted) often require an advance purchase, must stay over Saturday blah blah blah. 

Occasionally, a fare might go down, and prices lowered on a particular flight. Not often. 

Three months in advance is when most people purchase. That's okay. Farther out is better. 4-6 months, if possible.  Beat the crowd, before the lower fares are gone. If you're planning a trip, sign up on the airline website to be notified of sales. 

If you're cashing in your mileage points, three months ahead is running late. The good deals will be sparse or gone. I'd really recommend six months in advance for air miles. Or more, if you can. 

CMGragain

Because of my health, we need to buy trip insurance.  Pre-existing conditions are not covered unless you buy it within two weeks of the ticket purchase.  This has changed our ticket buying practices a bit.
Also, my DH is a very nervous traveler, so we now pay extra to get him more room.  (Coach plus seats.)  Personally, I am much more flexible.

Slightly off topic rant here:  We have a United Mileage Plus VISA card that we use for flight ticket purchases.  If I am traveling with DH, there is no baggage fee, which helps our budge, and we both accrue miles.  If I am traveling alone, I must pay the baggage fee.  The perk only extends to "primary card holders" and persons traveling with him!  So, I only get free baggage when I am with my husband?  Grr!  I thought the days of partner discrimination were over.  Same sex couples, this would apply to you, too!

novella1186

jacques27 said:

redoryx said:

soontobesyp said:

Helpful hint:  I think I remember being told that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to search for- and buy- airline tickets...  not sure how true that is, but wanted to share

I think there's some truth to this. I know I'm able to buy tickets for less air miles on Tuesdays. 

Yeah, if your dates are flexible, there is a price difference in days. Once, I found the cheapest tickets if I left on a Thursday. I flew one-way from Vegas to California on a Monday for like $60. 

It's based on demand. Supposedly the lowest demand for flights is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when people are less likely to travel. Highest demand is on weekend days when most people travel. 

Lower demand drives prices down. Basic economics. (Although those days of the week aren't ALWAYS the cheapest, it does help to check)

Are you referring to days to fly out or days to make your ticket purchase?  What you said it certainly true for flying out, too. 

The prior rule of thumb was that fares were cheapest on Tuesday, going into Wednesday (meaning the exact same flight would cost less if you made the purchase on Tuesday instead of Friday).  The theory was that airlines would release their fares on Monday and then competitors would scramble on Tuesday to try to match or beat those fares.

However, there was recently an article in Money about a recent study that found Sunday was the cheapest day to make your purchase.  They also recommended making your purchase 50-100 days in advance.  I don't fly enough to really know how much truth there is to the Sunday vs. Tuesday thing (I know the Tuesday thing USED to be true at least).  I believe the new reasoning is that execs are looking to start the work week off maximizing their profit and then reduce the prices as the week goes on and that most people are likely to be doing their search at home on the weekend and might be drawn in by cheaper fares. So if you have awhile yet, you may want to watch several flights and see if you notice any difference in cost over the course of the week comparing fares on Sunday to fares on Tuesday.

------edited because I didn't get a box-------------------------------

Days to fly out. I have no idea if the day you purchase makes any difference. 

wandajune6

I frequently book a few months in advance. I just like locking things down.

That said, most of my travel is booked 2-3 weeks out. I fly Southwest most of the time and their prices go up at the 2 week mark. I travel a lot for work and hate booking too far in advance because trips frequently get changed. I haven't flown as much for fun lately but I'm also waiting on booking another trip and will take advantage of last minute fares (waiting on a baby to be born.

The less flexible my schedule, the earlier I book.

lyndausvi

CMGragain said:

Because of my health, we need to buy trip insurance.  Pre-existing conditions are not covered unless you buy it within two weeks of the ticket purchase.  This has changed our ticket buying practices a bit.
Also, my DH is a very nervous traveler, so we now pay extra to get him more room.  (Coach plus seats.)  Personally, I am much more flexible.

Slightly off topic rant here:  We have a United Mileage Plus VISA card that we use for flight ticket purchases.  If I am traveling with DH, there is no baggage fee, which helps our budge, and we both accrue miles.  If I am traveling alone, I must pay the baggage fee.  The perk only extends to "primary card holders" and persons traveling with him!  So, I only get free baggage when I am with my husband?  Grr!  I thought the days of partner discrimination were over.  Same sex couples, this would apply to you, too!

yeah, no.    You could easily be the primary card holder and then your husband would be the one who needed you to travel in order to get the free bags.  Heck, you could get your own card.  Which is what my mom has.      My dad has 1 million miles with United.   She gets benefits through my dad when traveling with him.  When she travels on her own, she uses her own card.

I do not think just becasue you are married, partners in life, SO, you automatically get the same travel benefits as your SO.     Credit cards are just a financial device that may come with benefits.  I have no problem with only the primary card holder getting those benefits.  

    Besides anyone can be on a credit card with someone else.   My niece is on my sister's card. They are discriminating against married people.   They are just saying the primary card holder gets these benefits.

levioosa

Since we're on the subject of airline flights, and I don't want to start a whole new thread, I have a situation....

BFF's wedding is in September.  I'm in school and they keep telling us not to plan ahead because the schedule can change the day before and we might have a clinical (missing it isn't an option).  I've never purchased domestic travel insurance before, but it seems like most of them are just for sick/death, not a "whoops, can't go, jk."  There's also the option of paying through the nose for a flight that I can change the time on, but I don't even know if that's an option.  I don't know what will work out better--wait until the day before when flights will be $1K (flying across the country), or buy now and hope the travel insurance will cover it?  Does anyone have experience with something like this?

teddygirl9

I usually plan my trips based on when its cheap. So I wait for cheap prices, then book a vacation around that.