Airline Ticket Purchases?

Question

If you have a trip tentatively planned, say, 5 months in advance, when is the best time to get tickets?

Answer 1

You always want to purchase ticket at least 3 weeks out - there are many deals that are only avaliable as 21 day advance purchase.

A general rule of thumb is that as soon as you know that you are going somewhere and have FIRM dates, you should be thinking about booking. That said it has been my experience that sales rarely happen before 3 months out.

IF you are traveling during high season for your destination (summer for Europe, late March/early April for Washington DC, spring break for Cancun, Winter for the Caribbean and South America, etc.) then get your tickets as soon as you can - they are likely to only get more expensive.

IF you are traveling during shoulder season, then watch until 2-3 months out, watching the prices as often as you can from the current time. If you see a good sale, buy those tickets. If you don't have tickets a month before your trip, then buy quickly, since you probably are dealing with a situaiton where there is not a lot of excess seats.

If you are traveling in the off season, you can go right up to 3 weeks before, sometimes even 2 weeks before. Again, watch the prices, and if a good sale comes along, grab it.

Answer 2

anytime that you have the money though....try priceline name your own price at anytime....
I just bought tickets on there yesterday and i leave next tuesday and from salt lake to cleveland i paid 367 for a roundtrip! you really can't beat that...
Happy travels!

Answer 3

i would say "now"
its most probably going to be cheaper than waiting
yapta.com

arthurfrommersbudgettravel.com

Answer 4

http://www.kayak.com/

http://www.farecompare.com/

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/

http://www.cheapoair.com/

http://www.bookingbuddy.com/