Would you book for Feb 2021?
Mar 19, 2020, 1:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SEA
Posts: 242
Would you book for Feb 2021?
We travel over President's day and I generally buy tickets as soon as possible. It might work where the window will make them refundable, but I'm still having a little pause on floating that cash and dealing with AS on the phone.
No status. Travel would be on high demand dates / routes.
Would you buy that far out?
No status. Travel would be on high demand dates / routes.
Would you buy that far out?
Mar 19, 2020, 1:11 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,990
We travel over President's day and I generally buy tickets as soon as possible. It might work where the window will make them refundable, but I'm still having a little pause on floating that cash and dealing with AS on the phone.
No status. Travel would be on high demand dates / routes.
Would you buy that far out?
No status. Travel would be on high demand dates / routes.
Would you buy that far out?
Mar 19, 2020, 2:19 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
There is the ticket waiver for flights booked that far out.
I'd consider it for sure...
I'd consider it for sure...
Mar 19, 2020, 4:06 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,610
Yes, I already booked with Delta on president's weekend outbound flight (with miles, only 20k delta miles business class oneway to carribean). Have setup alerts for return flight also in a couple days
The only thing I keep in mind is that I book heavily trafficked routes, because schedule changes will definitely happen - if you're booking say SEA-LAX then no big worries because there's always the next flight to take even if schedule changes.
The only thing I keep in mind is that I book heavily trafficked routes, because schedule changes will definitely happen - if you're booking say SEA-LAX then no big worries because there's always the next flight to take even if schedule changes.
Mar 19, 2020, 5:30 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 664
Yes - if my trip is more or less finalized, I have no qualms of booking this far out. In fact, already have 2 trips booked from JFK-BOM in VS in J for January 2021. Got reasonable deals.
Mar 19, 2020, 5:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Just to clarify, my recommendation not to book now was specific to your question regarding AS. Typically speaking, you are not going to get AS' best price this far out. Yes, you could change the ticket under the current policy, but you will not get a refund, only a credit. That may or may not matter to you.
Several people have chimed in about how you should book now and have referenced that they have done so with other carriers. I don't see the relevance of that to your question.
Several people have chimed in about how you should book now and have referenced that they have done so with other carriers. I don't see the relevance of that to your question.
Mar 19, 2020, 6:13 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Why would you want to lay out cash this far in advance when the best you do if the price drops is a funny money credit? I suppose if its an amazing deal and not much of a hit to you, it doesn't really matter. But, if it's a real spend, you are drawing down cash for no reason.
Award prices will not go done, in my experience.
Mar 19, 2020, 10:07 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
If it is for cash absolutely not. This mess is only starting. The credit if you need to cancel would only be valid one year from the date of purchase which narrows your window for rebooking greatly. It makes absolutely no sense to lay out cash you may never see again given the current circumstances. If it is an award and you have no other use for the miles go ahead. The miles may be worthless by then anyway so nothing to lose on that front.
Mar 20, 2020, 5:25 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,053
It will likely be Chapter 11 (reorganization) which means existing tickets will still be honored. In the unlikely event is Chapter 7 (liquidation), you are still protected if you pay by credit card. The credit card companies are aware they are on the hook, as they have covenants with the airlines to have so much cash on hand in order to protect themselves. They will not accept future flight bookings if the airlines fall below these thresholds.
Last edited by xliioper; Mar 20, 2020 at 5:57 am
Mar 20, 2020, 7:42 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
It will likely be Chapter 11 (reorganization) which means existing tickets will still be honored. In the unlikely event is Chapter 7 (liquidation), you are still protected if you pay by credit card. The credit card companies are aware they are on the hook, as they have covenants with the airlines to have so much cash on hand in order to protect themselves. They will not accept future flight bookings if the airlines fall below these thresholds.
Mar 21, 2020, 12:23 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,946
Risk : reward ration seems very unfavorable to a +11 month booking, considering the current environment's effects on aviation. Policies and niceties extended now may be reversed, so I would not bank on them being honored later.