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NWR - How far in advance re: plane tickets?
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!
NWR - How far in advance re: plane tickets? 54 votes
As soon as they are available
7%
4 votes
When it's a price we can afford, regardless of time
38%
21 votes
3 or less months in advance
33%
18 votes
I ride my turtle to vacations
20%
11 votes
This discussion has been closed.
Re: NWR - How far in advance re: plane tickets?
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.
Formerly martha1818
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.
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.
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!
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.
Days to fly out. I have no idea if the day you purchase makes any difference.
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.
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?