How to get good prices
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: California
Posts: 8
How to get good prices
This is my first ever posting of any kind. I am planning a trip to England, June, 2009. airfares are astronomical and I can't find any deals online. Is there some secret to getting the best fares?
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan Former E
Posts: 1,022
Airlines tend to price economy fares 4 to 5 months in advance in terms of really trying to sell the flights (as with anything about airlines, exceptions exist). Anyone actually buying airfare trip 11 months out is pretty rare (award travel is different - you might need to book this far out to find free award seats). I'd say post-Christmas since you do get some early packages out but I'd say late Feb/March/April as being more likely to find genuine deals.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
That being said, with the low US$ Europe is a very expensive destination. High fuel prices don't help. So the days of the 'cheapo flight to Europe' are probably a thing of the past...
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DFW
Programs: DL PM, .6MM; AA Plat; Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 4,891
But back to topic, OP, watch the news and look into European LCCs. I have heard that one or more LCC might try to take advantage of Open Skys in order to open service to the US. Service would likely be announced 5 or 6 months prior to the first flight, and tix go on sale shortly thereafter.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: California
Posts: 8
cheapo flights to Europe will still exist for the foreseeable future... for travel in January & February... unfortunately, that does not help the OP.
But back to topic, OP, watch the news and look into European LCCs. I have heard that one or more LCC might try to take advantage of Open Skys in order to open service to the US. Service would likely be announced 5 or 6 months prior to the first flight, and tix go on sale shortly thereafter.
But back to topic, OP, watch the news and look into European LCCs. I have heard that one or more LCC might try to take advantage of Open Skys in order to open service to the US. Service would likely be announced 5 or 6 months prior to the first flight, and tix go on sale shortly thereafter.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: California
Posts: 8
Planning vacation in England June,2009
Thank you to everyone for your replies, I had no idea there was a resource of this kind available, (or that people were kind enough to take the time to reply!)
My next question/s is/are: I would like to do some of the booking for this trip: the lodging, driver/car etc, as soon as possible. Is it too risky to get all these dates and reservations taken care of but purchase the airfare at a later date in order to get a hopefully better price?
Do you think the difference in price, given the abysmal state of the dollar and the spiraling gasoline cost is going to be worth the risk?
Again, thank you, everyone for any tips or words of wisdom, it is deeply appreciated. J
My next question/s is/are: I would like to do some of the booking for this trip: the lodging, driver/car etc, as soon as possible. Is it too risky to get all these dates and reservations taken care of but purchase the airfare at a later date in order to get a hopefully better price?
Do you think the difference in price, given the abysmal state of the dollar and the spiraling gasoline cost is going to be worth the risk?
Again, thank you, everyone for any tips or words of wisdom, it is deeply appreciated. J
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
Here's an example of an LCC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryanair
There's talk of them flying transatlantic, but I can't imagine that would be in place for a few more years.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Programs: aa advantage
Posts: 10
cheapo flights to Europe will still exist for the foreseeable future... for travel in January & February... unfortunately, that does not help the OP.
But back to topic, OP, watch the news and look into European LCCs. I have heard that one or more LCC might try to take advantage of Open Skys in order to open service to the US. Service would likely be announced 5 or 6 months prior to the first flight, and tix go on sale shortly thereafter.
But back to topic, OP, watch the news and look into European LCCs. I have heard that one or more LCC might try to take advantage of Open Skys in order to open service to the US. Service would likely be announced 5 or 6 months prior to the first flight, and tix go on sale shortly thereafter.
#9
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
(1) Follow discussions here, you can learn a lot just by being around and observant.
(2) Start learning how to use ITA software. Go to http://matrix.itasoftware.com, click on "month long search", fill in the flight information (use June 1 as the starting date of your month) and see what lowest fares show up now. Click on some date to get detailed flight choices, then view their graphical representation, etc. Very useful tool, lots to learn.
PS. Help is easier to obtain if you provide as precise and complete information as you can. For example, from which city are you flying? To which one (one can assume London, but that's not always the case)? And finally how long a trip?
Last edited by aktchi; Aug 5, 2008 at 7:35 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MDW
Programs: SWA EMP (the ultimate program)
Posts: 713
LCC = "Low Cost Carrier", i.e. a no-frills airline. Somewhat like Southwest in the USA, but at almost another level altogether, i.e. ads on the airplane etc. Literally a 'greyhound bus in the air'
Here's an example of an LCC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryanair
There's talk of them flying transatlantic, but I can't imagine that would be in place for a few more years.
Here's an example of an LCC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryanair
There's talk of them flying transatlantic, but I can't imagine that would be in place for a few more years.
here's a pic of the interior.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:R...-800_Cabin.jpg
It's sort of like an airborne subway train..
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,504
here's a pic of the interior.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:R...-800_Cabin.jpg
It's sort of like an airborne subway train..
It's sort of like an airborne subway train..
#12
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA, Bonvoy, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,582
Check out Air India to London from ORD or JFK (tends to be cheaper than the rest, even if you have to buy your connecting flight separately). Also look into newer carriers, which often try to jump-start their business by offering limited-time deals.
#13
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
For decades, AI was an airline that Indians and others used to fly to India, and a small group among them used it for US-UK too. Affordable US-Uk tickets weren't hard to find, so this only attracted a special niche - people who wanted Indian vegetarian cuisine, needed help in Hindi, etc.
However, once AI got discovered as a cheap way to fly to London, it is not a sure thing any longer. The credit for this phenomenon goes to the Internet. Previously, it is mostly Indians or people with special interest in India who went to Indian neighborhoods or got Indian publications. They would see the ads from "ethnic" TA's selling AI tickets. Now, a simple online search show all possibilities and online purchase of an eticket on any Airline involves the same few clicks. So AI is not exotic or distant any longer (that is, unless they have an "irregular op" ).
The best way now is go with the times, scan all airlines online on ITA as well as portals like Kayak, Vayama. Then individual airlines that come up as promising. Increasingly, this is how I have been finding the best fares, not ethnic TA's as I once did, although I still check with them each time (takes only a few phone calls, so why not).
Last edited by aktchi; Aug 6, 2008 at 11:37 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA, Bonvoy, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,582
Thanks aktchi! I always thought I was a travel expert...until I discovered FT (in a roundabout way through Cranky Flier), and now I'm here more as a student than as a teacher. Can't wait to learn from you all and contribute where I can.
Interesting update on AI. Makes sense that the secret wouldn't last forever.
Interesting update on AI. Makes sense that the secret wouldn't last forever.
Last edited by zcat18; Aug 6, 2008 at 9:45 am Reason: add details
#15
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: AA ExPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,130
Thank you to everyone for your replies, I had no idea there was a resource of this kind available, (or that people were kind enough to take the time to reply!)
My next question/s is/are: I would like to do some of the booking for this trip: the lodging, driver/car etc, as soon as possible. Is it too risky to get all these dates and reservations taken care of but purchase the airfare at a later date in order to get a hopefully better price?
Do you think the difference in price, given the abysmal state of the dollar and the spiraling gasoline cost is going to be worth the risk?
Again, thank you, everyone for any tips or words of wisdom, it is deeply appreciated. J
My next question/s is/are: I would like to do some of the booking for this trip: the lodging, driver/car etc, as soon as possible. Is it too risky to get all these dates and reservations taken care of but purchase the airfare at a later date in order to get a hopefully better price?
Do you think the difference in price, given the abysmal state of the dollar and the spiraling gasoline cost is going to be worth the risk?
Again, thank you, everyone for any tips or words of wisdom, it is deeply appreciated. J
Keep in mind you total cost of the trip. If you got a great deal on a hotel and the price of an airline ticket for a different date is only $50-100 cheaper, it may not be worth it to cancel the hotel as your total cost may actually increase.