Best time to book flights

[jimbob999 4]

Flying out to LoS mid febuary, from Manchester, any thoughts on the best time to book flights. Also, should I avoid emirates due to the financial problems in Dubai. Looking forward to meeting fellow BM's on a flb bar crawl , cheers guys

[torrenova 644]

Look all the time. Over time you work out the places which come up with the best deals for your preferred carriers and routings and checking the price doesn't take long. Don't forget to check the airline's own website as well. Recently I got someone an Eva 6 month return with full flexibility for Bt22,000 and the same starting in the UK was only marginally worse.

 

No reason to avoid Emirates although my perception is that they are not what they once were. More limited choices from Manchester than London.

 

Flying in mid February can bring Valentines Day into question but that hikes short haul prices far more than long haul. I'd be looking at my hotel to see whether they lowered the prices around the time I was there, down from high season that is, and look at the total cost of the booking as a higher flight price could be offset by lower hotel charges etc. for different dates.

 

Just note that prices on some of the comparison sites, such as Expedia, Ebookers, Netflights etc. can vary enormously. Even check out Lastminute but be aware that they are resellers for resellers and making any changes can be a nightmare.

 

West East is often up there but as you have no direct flights, all the middle east mob come into play and you should join all their programs to receive their emails.

[dazzjones 0]

I would advise taking a look at www.travelsupermaket.com as they will scan all of the trusted comparison websites that torrenova has just mentioned (plus more) for the cheapest fare.

 

I am planning on booking mid march with Emirates so I too am interested in if the financial difficulty in Dubai means Emirates should be avoided.

Edited November 30, 2009 by dazzjones

[onetrue21 2]

www.momondo.com

[Treebeard 0]

Check all the sites and book as soon as you can. My experience is that the longer you leave it the more it goes up in price. There are execeptions of course especialy if your dates are flexible.

 

Good luck :)

[jke 0]

Look all the time. Over time you work out the places which come up with the best deals for your preferred carriers and routings and checking the price doesn't take long. Don't forget to check the airline's own website as well. Recently I got someone an Eva 6 month return with full flexibility for Bt22,000 and the same starting in the UK was only marginally worse.

 

No reason to avoid Emirates although my perception is that they are not what they once were. More limited choices from Manchester than London.

 

Flying in mid February can bring Valentines Day into question but that hikes short haul prices far more than long haul. I'd be looking at my hotel to see whether they lowered the prices around the time I was there, down from high season that is, and look at the total cost of the booking as a higher flight price could be offset by lower hotel charges etc. for different dates.

 

Just note that prices on some of the comparison sites, such as Expedia, Ebookers, Netflights etc. can vary enormously. Even check out Lastminute but be aware that they are resellers for resellers and making any changes can be a nightmare.

 

West East is often up there but as you have no direct flights, all the middle east mob come into play and you should join all their programs to receive their emails.

 

Very good advise .

 

Like you say, Check the the airlines web sites, l have had some very good prices from them .

[tallguy 1,450]

Lots of good advice here. Only thing I would add is don't leave it too late to book. Prices generally seem to increase about a month or so before the date of departure.

 

If I was booking for mid-February I would want to have something booked in the next couple of weeks or so.

 

Keep looking at the booking sites and if you see a deal that suits you for price and flying times go for it.

 

Have a good time.

 

TG

[neil324 0]

Don't 'Airline Network' charge you £2 airline failure insurance, not sure about others. Gives you peace of mind in regards Emirates, although no chance of them going under.

[ThaiLearner 18]

www.westeasttravel.co.uk are worth a go as well plus they include airline failure insurance as well

[jacko 8,762]

I have always booked between 5 and 2 months ahead, I believe that to be a good window.

I also fly Manchester but am limited by my refusal to use LHR.

Don't exclude Emirates because of the Dubai financial situation, if anything it might bring flights down, and outside of Christmas, and their next big holiday (Ramadan is a long time off) are not much impacted by our holidays. Avoid end-of-term, start of term if you can.

Try Qatar's site, they offer some good prices directly.

For cheap, Chiina Airlines via Amsterdam, Gazelle travel.

[wetwillie 12]

Usually about 24 hours before you actually do book

[jke 0]

Usually about 24 hours before you actually do book

 

HaHa .

 

So it don,t just happen to me

[drdod 0]

over the last few years ive searched most sites .but my fave is dialaflight.com.i do prefer direct with eva from lhr.

 

this does give me a 5hour road journey from hull to London .but good flight and never paid more than 487 direct economy 1010 super economy ,this

 

included flights from leeds to heathrow.......just keep your eye on the ball each day.you are the one who knows what your happy paying.

 

all the best drdod.

[DjMiami 18]

Booking and airline ticket is a crap shoot.

I had to rearrange my trip last week for a departure to several differant places in the world. I asked the agent to book my trip one week later same flight times same carriers. Ticket price was 3000.00 USD more. I asked her to look at a day before or a day later. She looked at leaving on the 6th of dec instead of the 7th.

The ticket charge was .30 usd.

The explanation was that they had open seats on the 6th to fill the plane an thus the air fiar was cheaper to some location and I received credit a credit towards my new booking. This was between 3 airlines so i am not sure who was trying to dick me.

 

you just never can tell when to book

 

I like to book my return trips as soon as i land back in the states. That way I have already started the next trip planning.

 

DJ

[villayouth 37]

i always use kayak.com

 

take a look

[Bobshere 7]

Airlines post prices that compete with others Tuesday night Wednesday morning.

At times you can catch a VERY good prices early Wednesday morning as well.

Thursay morning at times have rebuttles from other airlines posted. I've tracked

three airlines over several months and if I would have booked I would have saved

$250-300 round trip.

Thanks

Bobshere

[darkmancomes 75]

Hi

I have been looking this past month or so trying to decide the same issue (when to book) I do it every time and really its a poker game! I have been around all the sites looked at differnt routes to travel there and most of the web sites. Well I booked yesterday for end of April10 returning in a month and the best price all things considered was with Etihad direct on their web site. My reasons £454.45, good times no long stop overs, no charge for credit card booking and of course the airmiles(which I wish were more flexible i.e transferable) I hated booking so early the main reason is that they all require the money up front so they are getting my money and the use of it! By the way I would normally use net flight but when I asked for a price match they were not interested so I voted with the keyboard!

Edited December 3, 2009 by darkmancomes

[ThaiLearner 18]

Keep looking everyday if you find a good price and short lay overs then book it don't wait as it is amazing how prices alter day to day or even hour to hour

[Sailfast 503]

i always use kayak.com

 

take a look

Kayak also has a function where you can search historical price patterns for a flight.

[Canuckdave 3]

I will not be able to get to LOS until boxing day 2010 yet rest assured I have a price for a flight in mind and as soon as I deem it reasonable then I will book it, even if its 11 months out. Would rather book it early and have something to look forward to.

[kingkong 0]

just booked march 5th for 2 weeks with emirates, decent flight times to suit work returning sunday afternoon birmingham ,15 nights in all at a reasonable cost of £460.Never had a problem with emirates and i always use dial a flight who are very good and have always matched the best price i have given them having phoned loads of companies ,they then knock another£5 off price .roll on march.

[rogero 4]

I have always booked between 5 and 2 months ahead, I believe that to be a good window.

I also fly Manchester but am limited by my refusal to use LHR.

Don't exclude Emirates because of the Dubai financial situation, if anything it might bring flights down, and outside of Christmas, and their next big holiday (Ramadan is a long time off) are not much impacted by our holidays. Avoid end-of-term, start of term if you can.

Try Qatar's site, they offer some good prices directly.

For cheap, Chiina Airlines via Amsterdam, Gazelle travel.

 

This whole issue is a jungle of timing & opportunity.

Book too early or too late & your options are limited.

 

I was still in Pattaya a week ago & realised I had to book my transport to BKK airport (Bell Travel). When I did so, it sank in I was on my way home!!

I felt a bit low & decided to cheer myself by booking again for feb, My mistake was booking my accommodation first rather than the flights.

I spent a long time getting flights close to my dates (mid feb - mid march). When I did eventually book my flights I was able to go to the apartments & present my new improved schedule & was pleased to find they were very accommodating & they easily changed my dates.

They had already given me a good deal on my monthly stay (low season rates in feb) & I was promised a good deal for a 3 month stay over winter 2010.

 

Is it better to keep with the same airline for their respective airmiles/brownee points for upgrades etc.

It broke my heart when I hobbled off from my rabbit hutch to see the business class pampered area of the aircraft.

 

I have already sniffed about flight prices to LOS for a 3 month stay over UK winter (approx mid nov to mid feb 2010) but I think I'm not in the right window of opportunity.

 

Grateful for any help/comment

 

rogero

[jacko 8,762]

This whole issue is a jungle of timing & opportunity.

Book too early or too late & your options are limited.

 

I was still in Pattaya a week ago & realised I had to book my transport to BKK airport (Bell Travel). When I did so, it sank in I was on my way home!!

I felt a bit low & decided to cheer myself by booking again for feb, My mistake was booking my accommodation first rather than the flights.

I spent a long time getting flights close to my dates (mid feb - mid march). When I did eventually book my flights I was able to go to the apartments & present my new improved schedule & was pleased to find they were very accommodating & they easily changed my dates.

They had already given me a good deal on my monthly stay (low season rates in feb) & I was promised a good deal for a 3 month stay over winter 2010.

 

Is it better to keep with the same airline for their respective airmiles/brownee points for upgrades etc.

It broke my heart when I hobbled off from my rabbit hutch to see the business class pampered area of the aircraft.

 

I have already sniffed about flight prices to LOS for a 3 month stay over UK winter (approx mid nov to mid feb 2010) but I think I'm not in the right window of opportunity.

 

Grateful for any help/comment

 

rogero

Just invest time on the internet, for me, that is hardly an effort as I just work in another tab.

I still think over a month but not over 5 months ahead averages out. Another good opportunity is soon after some big problem at the airline or airport. I got BA bargains after the Heathrow dispute, and Finnair just had some problems and I bet they have trimmed prices.

Airlines that are 'struggling' offer bargains, but they might go out of business before the return flight.......

I am on the mailing lists for quite a few carriers who send promotional fares out, Bangkok seems to be on there less often, or the fare is more than on the headline.

 

 

Keeping with the same airline works better for the USA guys as their programs are better, I always look for price, with the caveat of reasonable connection time and no mickey mouse carriers.

Mid November 2009 has gone already!

 

If you want in that Biz Class cabin your approach has to change, either pay for it or stick with one carrier.

I don't fly long-haul frequently enough these days to make that beneficial.

Edited December 6, 2009 by jacko

[rogero 4]

Just invest time on the internet, for me, that is hardly an effort as I just work in another tab.

I still think over a month but not over 5 months ahead averages out. Another good opportunity is soon after some big problem at the airline or airport. I got BA bargains after the Heathrow dispute, and Finnair just had some problems and I bet they have trimmed prices.

Airlines that are 'struggling' offer bargains, but they might go out of business before the return flight.......

I am on the mailing lists for quite a few carriers who send promotional fares out, Bangkok seems to be on there less often, or the fare is more than on the headline.

 

 

Keeping with the same airline works better for the USA guys as their programs are better, I always look for price, with the caveat of reasonable connection time and no mickey mouse carriers.

Mid November 2009 has gone already!

 

If you want in that Biz Class cabin your approach has to change, either pay for it or stick with one carrier.

I don't fly long-haul frequently enough these days to make that beneficial.

 

thanks jacko for that good advice.

 

I'm determined to get my day in one of those biz cabin dentist chairs so I guess I'll persevere with Qatar until I level up !!

 

cheers

rogero

[jacko 8,762]

thanks jacko for that good advice.

 

I'm determined to get my day in one of those biz cabin dentist chairs so I guess I'll persevere with Qatar until I level up !!

 

cheers

rogero

Well I accrued a lot of miles with BA travelling on business, so when I retired I decided to burn them off (hate BA), flew 2 round trips business and 1 First. No miles with them left and the problem is I hate economy now!