How far out to book international/Europe tickets?
Dec 1, 2017, 10:16 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA, UA lowly commoner
Posts: 780
It's not true that airlines will let you cancel for a full refund if they change the flight schedule by a few minutes. Unless the change results in an inadequate connection time (or you've got a fully refundable fare), the change normally will have to be significant to merit free cancellation. Exactly how much that change must be varies depending on the airline, but it's usually something like at least an hour, 90 minutes, or two hours. There may be exceptions, but it's not wise to book a flight expecting to be able to cancel if, as often happens, the schedule changes by just a few minutes.
Dec 6, 2017, 12:48 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,104
Start looking as soon as you can, even a year out. You must have price in mind that you believe is a good or great price. When you find that price, book it immediately. If the price goes lower as you get closer, see if it is worth eating a $50 or whatever the cancellation fee is in return for buying a new ticket.
Still the best advice is buy at the price you think is good and STOP LOOKING. (and not only for airtix)
Jan 1, 2018, 10:05 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Programs: American Executive Platinum
Posts: 368
Thanks all - now that we're in the New Year and holiday pricing is behind us, it will be a bit easier for me to see exactly how fares change over time. Looking forward to doing a bit more research.