US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Europe in March - Buy Now or Later???

I'm looking to use a $200 USAirways travel certificate to go from ATL to Europe (prob. Paris, Madrid, or Rome) during Spring Break. I know that airlines typically start the "heavy discounting" around early December, but a quick check of airfares arounf the week of March 11th shows that many flights are already running out of the lowest fare seats.

Should I buy now and just get a MCO when the price drops, or wait it out and take my chances?? Thanks in advance for the input, fellow FTers.

This is a tough one. Ordinarily, I would say wait until at least December. However, considering US's loads to Europe these days, there may not be sufficient cheap seats left by the time you finally book. You might want to consider booking a midweek set of flights (leave no later than Thursday). I would look to go to FRA or CDG. As there is but one daily flight to FCO, it is ALWAYS full - apparently running 90%+ full on average.

Hello:

I just attempted to purchase two $398 fares to PHL - Rome in late March, and than upgrade r/t with systemwide certs. I was surprised that the fare was sold out until the first week of March. So, book as early as you can.....

Good Luck,

I've actually been looking to head to europe for spring break as well (SO teaches high school), and I've found things have been filling up fast. You will probably want to book now, lest there be nothing available (of the Y nonrefundable variety) later on.

For whatever reason, the last couple of years (since early '99), US transatlantic has been pretty full, in my experience (PIT-CDG, PHL-LGW).