difference in ticket prices?

Question

i was surfing on expedia.com. last january (i picked days that were dated mid-week to avoid peak hours), i went to orlando and spent like $140 only. i booked the flight in november. now, however, i was looking at the prices now -- and see that days dated mid-week of january, the price is now $300+!!! 2 years ago, when i booked a flight to orlando in the summer, it was $180, now it's $222 -- did the prices change all of the sudden? and are these more likely permanent?

is there a difference in dates when you book a flight? i dont' want to book an expensive flight right now, only to see the price go down later on. do you think that it may be $222 if you book the flight in august, and it will go down to $140 (more or less) if booked in november?

what gives? why do prices go up and down and the most important question is what is the best date to book a flight and save money.

im thinking of going to california next summer -- but i want to be able to save money.

Answer 1

Fares are based on minimum/maximum stay requirements, advance purchase, and seating availability. The biggest reason for fares to increase is the last part, seat availability. In what we call coach class, there are actually like 10 "classes of service" which just means a different fare, as one sells out, it increases to the next fare ... and so on ... this year has been a very busy year for travel so more people travelling means the fares tend to be higher ...

In addition to this, the airlines have increased fares to adjust to high fuel costs and there have not been alot of "fare wars" this travel season ...

Best thing is to check around and be flexible with your dates ... Jul/Aug/Nov/Dec/Jan tend to be the most expensive months to travel.

Answer 2

The prices fluctuate on a regular basis, and there doesn't always appear to be a rhyme or reason for it. Right now, higher prices for jet engine fuel are driving prices up. We booked a non-stop from Detroit to Orlando in January (mid-week) and paid $240.00 a ticket about a month ago, but now they're around $320.00. There really isn't a best date to book a flight to save money because the prices change so much and for so many reasons. One thing you may want to try is checking out travelzoo.com. They send out weekly reports of airlines that are offering low rates and incentives. Yes, there are a lot of restrictions to the dates you can travel and where you can fly out of/into, but you can get some SUPER deals if your travel days are flexible.

Answer 3

Airline prices have gone up over the last year due to high fuel costs.

In general, the longer ahead of time you book your flight, the cheaper it is. The only exception is for last minute flights, where the airline is trying to fill seats. You usually see these only the day before the flight. So unless you are willing to risk waiting till the last second to see if something opens up, book as early as possible.

Answer 4

Good Luck trying to save money on plane tickets, the airlines have raised prices for all types of tickets and its only going to get worse. The only thing you can do is book way in advance on a weekday.

Answer 5

Try using Southwest. Down load "ding" and you will get pricing on all specials system wide. I am going to Tampa this week end at Round trip was just $107 with all the fees etc. Even if you have to drive to an airport serviced by them it could save you plenty.

Answer 6

The flight price might be permanent. Airlines are struggling.

There are many websites that advertise coupons for Orlando area. Maybe they might have something cheaper.

Answer 7

they go ups and downs bc the times your traveling... its always more expensive in winter and summer....