Cheaper tickets on short notice?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YXY
Posts: 3,506
Cheaper tickets on short notice?
Hi,
so I've moved from Europe to Canada recently. Ticket prices are much higher here. There don't seem to be offers that make people go and buy tickets they wouldn't have bought otherwise "just because it is so cheap". OK, I'll have to adjust to that.
But then, something strikes me as really odd: Flights booked on short notice are cheaper than those booked a long time ahead. I was used to booking tickets as early as possible. But basically all destinations I've checked (starting in YHZ) have lower prices in the next four-five weeks than at any later point in time. And I've checked quite a number of destinations across North America (using ITA's Matrix 2 that will show you the prices for a whole month at once but does not include the current 20% sale discounts from Porter, Westjet and Air Canada).
Why is that? Or am I missing something?
so I've moved from Europe to Canada recently. Ticket prices are much higher here. There don't seem to be offers that make people go and buy tickets they wouldn't have bought otherwise "just because it is so cheap". OK, I'll have to adjust to that.
But then, something strikes me as really odd: Flights booked on short notice are cheaper than those booked a long time ahead. I was used to booking tickets as early as possible. But basically all destinations I've checked (starting in YHZ) have lower prices in the next four-five weeks than at any later point in time. And I've checked quite a number of destinations across North America (using ITA's Matrix 2 that will show you the prices for a whole month at once but does not include the current 20% sale discounts from Porter, Westjet and Air Canada).
Why is that? Or am I missing something?
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
Depends what you're comparing to... and it sounds like you're comparing to LCC's in Europe.
For legacy carriers, the sweet spot for "deals" are 1 season ahead. Anything farther out gets you the "regular" price.
For legacy carriers, the sweet spot for "deals" are 1 season ahead. Anything farther out gets you the "regular" price.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YXY
Posts: 3,506
I've checked all carriers that are listed in the ITA Matrix 2. This includes Westjet and Porter. (Southwest & co do not fly to YHZ anyway.)
And, yes, I've checked one season ahead - every day up until October 2011 (you can't check any further). For a big number of destinations in Canada, the US and selected Carribean destinations. It was always cheaper up until Dec 15. OK, then it's XMas-season - but afterwards the prices don't drop back to the level of the upcoming five weeks.
And, yes, I've checked one season ahead - every day up until October 2011 (you can't check any further). For a big number of destinations in Canada, the US and selected Carribean destinations. It was always cheaper up until Dec 15. OK, then it's XMas-season - but afterwards the prices don't drop back to the level of the upcoming five weeks.
Last edited by sokolov; Nov 9, 2010 at 12:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 30
Three of us are going to Europe next summer. We got two frequent flyer tickets with our points and have to buy a third ticket. Our trip to Europe is going from DC (Dulles) to Paris. Then we'll go from Bilbao (Spain) to Athens as a "stopover" for a few days before returning to Dulles.
If I buy the tickets now for the trans-Atlantic trips (IAD-CDG, ATH-IAD), it will cost me $1,300 minimum. If I buy the same tickets for a March trip, it will be less than $800. These figures do not include the flights to go from Bilbao to Athens. I realize that a late June trip will likely be more expensive than a March one, but I'm not sure about a >$500 difference.
I will definitely wait a little while before considering buying the final ticket. If I lose out, I don't see it being by much, nd I'll take that risk for the chance of saving several hundred dollars.
If Icelandair is around where you live, they have some excellent offers that follow more of an "early bird special" approach. The one-way to Paris in late June is less than $450, including all taxes. Unfortunately for me, they do not fly to Greece.
If I buy the tickets now for the trans-Atlantic trips (IAD-CDG, ATH-IAD), it will cost me $1,300 minimum. If I buy the same tickets for a March trip, it will be less than $800. These figures do not include the flights to go from Bilbao to Athens. I realize that a late June trip will likely be more expensive than a March one, but I'm not sure about a >$500 difference.
I will definitely wait a little while before considering buying the final ticket. If I lose out, I don't see it being by much, nd I'll take that risk for the chance of saving several hundred dollars.
If Icelandair is around where you live, they have some excellent offers that follow more of an "early bird special" approach. The one-way to Paris in late June is less than $450, including all taxes. Unfortunately for me, they do not fly to Greece.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YXY
Posts: 3,506
Icelandair flies from YHZ to Glasgow for 367 $ in September/October, that's really good. But the price goes up when you have to add Glasgow -> Vienna...
But I was actually talking about continental flights, not intercontinental.
But I was actually talking about continental flights, not intercontinental.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,974
The fall is the slow season for Canadian air travel, the majors (AC,WS) generally unload inventory around now until mid-December. There are other short-notice seat sales throughout the year but the timing is laregly unpredictable. Go to the web sites and sign up for the deal notification emails, also monitor the AC and WS forums here where you often get advanced notice form 'insiders'.