Best time to buy airline tickets?

[LindyLou]

but for Christmas travel I usually book early like June or July. If you can book with Southwest if the price changes you can rebook with no fee.

I like this idea. I've been checking everyday and the prices have been going up! I've never travelled to Negril during Christmas and a little anxious as what to expect for airfare. Southwest isn't booking until June so I have some time.


Thanks for all the great information!

[danabana12]

Traveling on December 22nd back to Negril for Christmas. When is the best time to buy airline tickets? Already reserved my room and was suprised that I had a hard time finding a room for that time frame. TIA

Tuesday, but keep watching them, they go down as departure nears....Southwest and JetBlue

[deanna]

I would get them ASAP especially for that month

[LindyLou]

I would get them ASAP especially for that month

Really?? That's what I've been afraid of. Still think I'm going to take my chances with Southwest.

[Lola]

... they go down as departure nears....Southwest and JetBlue

I noticed this one time: Late Winter (late Feb & March, maybe into April) Southwest schedules Saturday nonstop flights from Milwaukee (MKE) to Montego Bay. Early on they only offer Premium and Business Select (or whatever they are called) at a high price. This year I checked closer to departure and they were offering 'coach' tickets for around $120 less.

[Chris B]

Always remember though... if you have a preferred airline, and you find that the price doesn't seem to be coming down, it may be because of heavy bookings. Keep an eye on those seating charts! They won't start filling a second flight just because one is already filled up! We got lucky this time... found two of the last five seats available for tomorrow's Delta 2:00 arrival, and we're fortunate find two seats together.

[gregandkelly63]

I check prices everyday before we book. I check both Southwest and Delta at least once or twice a day. The prices will eventually drop, if even just for a day. I've never paid more than $450 round trip. This year I was patient and got both tickets for $393pp round trip out of Nashville. If you are diligent, it pays to be patient.

[wrtiii]

I don't think there are any rules about "book on Tuesday", "book 40 days out", etc. that are reliable.

The first question is, do you care about exactly when you go, what route you take, and what seats you get, or do you care only about price? I want to be in JA as early as possible on our travel day, and leave as late as possible on my return day without taking an overnight flight, so my flight choices are very limited. I also like some choice of seating. That means I book early - 4 months out, usually - and pay somewhat more than if I shopped hard for the cheapest option. I know how much I've paid in previous years, and the day I see something that is the same as or less than I paid last year, I book it.

The advice on not shopping until you're ready to buy is spot on. They know you're looking - they track the searches - and their pricing algorithms will use that information against you.

Last year, a friend's scheduled flight was cancelled, so he had to rebook 3 weeks out, and he got tickets on my same flight for 40% less than I had paid. That price lasted literally for an hour, then returned to 10% more than I had paid. So if you ever see what appears to be a really good deal, be ready to jump on it!

And my time is worth something to me, so the "it pays" is subjective. How many hours are you willing to spend to save $50.?

[gregandkelly63]

And my time is worth something to me, so the "it pays" is subjective. How many hours are you willing to spend to save $50.?

Hours? It takes me about 20 seconds to check flight prices on my phone. If it takes you hours you're doing it wrong. I can even do it on the toilet. Nothing like multi-tasking! Now that's productive!

[LindyLou]

Most importantly, don't stress. You're buying tickets to paradise!

This is the most stressful part of getting to paradise.