Originally Posted by
mahasamatman
That's an urban myth. In my experience, I almost always get better prices booking early. I monitor prices, and see price drops less than 5% of the time.
With no more change fees, there's little to no reason to take the risk unless you have cash flow problems.
We all see the world so differently, I beg to differ. I'm with jsloan, I feel like the urban myth is that booking 6-9 months out serves any purpose at all (unless as jsloan stated award space or PZ available) To the OP who wants to buy tickets way out, should go ahead and purchase and monitor for a price drop, or book refundable.
As far as the price difference between competition, kina depends on where we all are based right? IMO, in HNL UA stays very competitive (i'm sure someone can disagree with me here YMMV.)
And to agree on the subject of no change fees, then yes buy now and alter your trip when you find IME Refundable fares are more affordable than they used to be, as of very recently (?), so i've been making use of them, even if I change to a NONREF once I have the trip locked in and then collect some refund.