Christmas Airfare - When to buy? (1 Viewer)

[TheIronSheik]

For the past 3 years, the family has flown back to Houston for Thanksgiving to see my family. But this year, my mom will be recovering from hip surgery. So we've decided to go down for possibly two weeks over the Christmas and New Year break.

I know that for Thanksgiving, the thought was to buy plane tickets the Tuesday morning after Labor Day. But I have no idea when I should purchase tickets for Christmas.

One thing to note is that I'm not sure if I'm taking one week or two just yet. I hope to take two, but I may have some projects finishing up then. So I won't know for sure until beginning of October.

Should I buy right then, or is there a better time to purchase airfare?

TIA

TIS

 

[RUSF18]

I think you might be late on this. We're sending my in laws to Jamaica during Christmas week, and it needs to be that time because my FiL runs his own business and it's the only week he shuts down. Started following the fares in April, they were high so figured it was too soon. Went up in May and continued to go through June. Finally pulled the trigger in early July, still higher. Paid a couple hundred more per ticket than when I first looked. Same flight has gone up about $200 since.

International could be different of course.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

They still let you fly?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

They still let you fly?

They give him an empty seat next to him so the bomb doesn't crowd the other passengers.

 

[TheIronSheik]

I think you might be late on this. We're sending my in laws to Jamaica during Christmas week, and it needs to be that time because my FiL runs his own business and it's the only week he shuts down. Started following the fares in April, they were high so figured it was too soon. Went up in May and continued to go through June. Finally pulled the trigger in early July, still higher. Paid a couple hundred more per ticket than when I first looked. Same flight has gone up about $200 since.

International could be different of course.

I think you should have waited. Everything I've ever read says not to buy airline tickets too far in advance. You will end up paying summer prices for winter tickets. See if the price drops next Tuesday.

 

[TheIronSheik]

They still let you fly?

Not anymore. Now they make me sit in the back with the rest of the people.

 

[RUSF18]

I think you might be late on this. We're sending my in laws to Jamaica during Christmas week, and it needs to be that time because my FiL runs his own business and it's the only week he shuts down. Started following the fares in April, they were high so figured it was too soon. Went up in May and continued to go through June. Finally pulled the trigger in early July, still higher. Paid a couple hundred more per ticket than when I first looked. Same flight has gone up about $200 since.

International could be different of course.

I think you should have waited. Everything I've ever read says not to buy airline tickets too far in advance. You will end up paying summer prices for winter tickets. See if the price drops next Tuesday.

I have plenty of experience buying tickets regardless of season, and usually do really well with price and timing. Quick example, flying to Cincinnati for a wedding this weekend. Paid about $250/ticket and friends are paying between $400-500.

What I didn't have experience with was buying internationally during Christmas week. So you think a $600 ticket in April that is now over $1000 will drop below $600 next Tuesday?

 

[TheIronSheik]

I think you might be late on this. We're sending my in laws to Jamaica during Christmas week, and it needs to be that time because my FiL runs his own business and it's the only week he shuts down. Started following the fares in April, they were high so figured it was too soon. Went up in May and continued to go through June. Finally pulled the trigger in early July, still higher. Paid a couple hundred more per ticket than when I first looked. Same flight has gone up about $200 since.

International could be different of course.

I think you should have waited. Everything I've ever read says not to buy airline tickets too far in advance. You will end up paying summer prices for winter tickets. See if the price drops next Tuesday.

I have plenty of experience buying tickets regardless of season, and usually do really well with price and timing. Quick example, flying to Cincinnati for a wedding this weekend. Paid about $250/ticket and friends are paying between $400-500.

What I didn't have experience with was buying internationally during Christmas week. So you think a $600 ticket in April that is now over $1000 will drop below $600 next Tuesday?

I'm not saying anything based on your particular situation.

 

[Sand]

6-8 weeks out is statistically the best time to buy tickets.

 

[El Floppo]

6-8 weeks out is statistically the best time to buy tickets.

interesting.

I skimmed, but didn't notice anything directly relating to Christmas... do those numbers factor in the annual FU to passengers that Christmas allows the airlines?

 

[Sand]

6-8 weeks out is statistically the best time to buy tickets.

interesting.

I skimmed, but didn't notice anything directly relating to Christmas... do those numbers factor in the annual FU to passengers that Christmas allows the airlines?

I have no proof, but for holiday travel I'd probably edge toward the longer end of that range than the shorter.

Just looking, this article says for popular travel and holidays reserve well in advance.

 

[Bucky86]

Christmas is a whole other beast. Always buy early.

I bought my christmas vacation tickets back in April.

 

[Fennis]

August 26

 

[RUSF18]

I think you might be late on this. We're sending my in laws to Jamaica during Christmas week, and it needs to be that time because my FiL runs his own business and it's the only week he shuts down. Started following the fares in April, they were high so figured it was too soon. Went up in May and continued to go through June. Finally pulled the trigger in early July, still higher. Paid a couple hundred more per ticket than when I first looked. Same flight has gone up about $200 since.

International could be different of course.

I think you should have waited. Everything I've ever read says not to buy airline tickets too far in advance. You will end up paying summer prices for winter tickets. See if the price drops next Tuesday.

I have plenty of experience buying tickets regardless of season, and usually do really well with price and timing. Quick example, flying to Cincinnati for a wedding this weekend. Paid about $250/ticket and friends are paying between $400-500.

What I didn't have experience with was buying internationally during Christmas week. So you think a $600 ticket in April that is now over $1000 will drop below $600 next Tuesday?

I'm not saying anything based on your particular situation.

"I think you should have waited" wasn't about my situation?

 

[TheIronSheik]

I think you might be late on this. We're sending my in laws to Jamaica during Christmas week, and it needs to be that time because my FiL runs his own business and it's the only week he shuts down. Started following the fares in April, they were high so figured it was too soon. Went up in May and continued to go through June. Finally pulled the trigger in early July, still higher. Paid a couple hundred more per ticket than when I first looked. Same flight has gone up about $200 since.

International could be different of course.

I think you should have waited. Everything I've ever read says not to buy airline tickets too far in advance. You will end up paying summer prices for winter tickets. See if the price drops next Tuesday.

I have plenty of experience buying tickets regardless of season, and usually do really well with price and timing. Quick example, flying to Cincinnati for a wedding this weekend. Paid about $250/ticket and friends are paying between $400-500.

What I didn't have experience with was buying internationally during Christmas week. So you think a $600 ticket in April that is now over $1000 will drop below $600 next Tuesday?

I'm not saying anything based on your particular situation.

"I think you should have waited" wasn't about my situation?

I'm saying I didn't know you were going to get all up tight about a simple comment. Therefore, disregard anything I'm saying to you.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

They still let you fly?

Not anymore. Now they make me sit in the back with the rest of the people.

link

 

[urbanhack]

google down?

 

[TheIronSheik]

google down?