When is the best time to buy an airline ticket?

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Julie G

After the holidays for example january- march i think would be a good time. People are still working and students still at work. During the summer would be a disaster mostly everyone in the U.S is on vaction and the airport will granteed to be packed until August or September

Paige

As a general rule, always be sure you buy at least 21 days in advance. Some may tell you it is, but buying your tickets further out isn't always better. We just bought tickets to fly to Italy in April. I've checked on them pretty much everyday for two months now and one day last week, out of the blue, the price dropped about $200. I bought them of course and now the prices are back up to where they were before. Besides if you wait too long, the "good" flights (ones that leave and/or arrive at decent hours and ones without too many layovers) will all fill up.

Farecast.com is great ~ it lets you compare airfares over the next 90 days and tells you whether fares are dropping or rising.

Kayak.com is another good site. It will compare fares from all the major travel sites (priceline, expedia, travelocity, cheaptickets, cheapoair, etc.) and that will save you some time.

Travelzoo.com searches for and publishes the best deals in travel and airfare each week so be sure to check with them as well.

As far as times to fly, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are generally the best days to fly as far as price goes.

Also, it is almost always cheaper to book your tickets online because they won't charge you a booking fee (they will if you call the airline directly).

Matador

On lineand about 2-6 months in advance

northboy

Before you get on plane.

Z'man

When your friends/family wanna go ;)

Traveler

There are several ways to get the best airfare: Try one of the big companies: Travelocity.com. or Expedia.com. The advantage to them is that they show many different airlines and the cheapest prices for both the specific date you want to fly and the dates surrounding that date. In case your plans are flexible. The disadvantage is that you are locked into the fare dates. If you want to change a date due to injury or an emergency, their fees can be extreme.

Try the airlines directly. Either their Web sites or direct telephone lines. Some of the Airlines offer low price guarantees meaning that if you find a cheaper fight on another Web site they may match the price or beat it. Each airline is different though, so you have to check them out individually.

Just remember, if you are going to try to get the cheapest flights, the airlines normally have restrictions. You may have to purchase the ticket 14 or 21 days in advance, there may be no refunds or changes allowed. You really need to know these restrictions. If you try looking for a last-minute flight you will end up paying a lot more, although there are occasional exceptions. I personally, managed a last minute ticket to S.F on the Millennium New Years eve. And received a better price than my friends that had booked a month in advance! Butâ€¦ you cannot depend on this at all.
Usually travel agents do not get the lowest fares and sometimes they tack on a commission. Travel agencies used to be the best way to get the best airfare, but with the Internet, It is now just as easy for individuals to check themselves.

If you call an airline directly (they all have toll-free numbers), be sure to ask them if they have any specials. Often they do have specials, but you have to ask them about them!
So be careful about restrictions on tickets. Be aware of charges for overweight baggage and remember that many of the very CHEAP fares you see in the Travel section of the local Papers are fares that are quoted, â€œwithout taxesâ€ Taxes can really add up.
Have fun and happy travels.

helo pilot cfi

at least 3 weeks before you intend to depart an preferably off season

I.P. Freely

before you fly.

Lexie

I agree with Joseph - the farther out you buy them, the cheaper they are. I highly recommend using a site like priceline.com to purchase your tickets.

travelquestions

not holiday, not weekend not summer.

before 30 dates

try: http://www.ytb.com/darintravel

Scott P

right BEFORE the first week of summer vacation (for students)
that is if thats when you want to fly
you always should buy tickets at least 1 month in advance

Your dum

When tickets are on sale.

The Sheeple are Awake!

6:03 PM Eastern Time on Tuesdays.

Carlos

january and february alwayz book 30 days before to get special rates

Guest

in the off season around feb,march etc ..some people even say its cheaper to by tickets on specific days like thursdays and wedensdays

VICTORY

As soon as you know when you want to leave call the airlines and check out flights, the sooner the better. Actually talking to somebody can make the difference, they should hook you up.

Taryn;

A few weeks before you are supost to depart.
Or if it is a big tourist spot, then a few months.

hot sexy lips

when you are loaded with money !!!

Joseph

Generally the farther out you buy them, the cheaper they are. Also, a lot of airlines rates are cheaper depending on the time of day. Just shop around.

I highly recommend using a site like priceline.com to purchase your tickets.

B T

Probably at a time when people aren't doing too much traveling like winter or after major holidays like Christmas or Fourth of July. Also, the earlier you buy your tickets, the better.

Here's a site that lets you compare flight prices from a group of different on-line ticket providers.

http://www.travelzoo.com/

poop

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