Airfare

When do you book your airfare?

We have a group of 8 people coming to Negril in March. We are bringing our kids and their significant others to celebrate our 30th anniversary. It is driving me crazy checking prices on Expedia every day. $480 one day and then $805 the next. I keep thinking the closer it gets the prices should/could get cheaper.

So........when do you book your trips? Do you have a preferred method or a "secret" way to get the lowest price?

Since I am booking for 8 people, any little discount x 8 could save me a lot of money.

Thanks in advance!

I have brought several large groups to Negril over the years so I understand your frustration. I usually purchase 3 to 6 months out if possible. With a group I wouldn't wait for a last minute deal. When I am in search mode I use Kayak, Vayama, Orbitz and the airline sites and I check frequently. I have heard good things about ITA Matrix but haven't purchased through them. The airlines usually release sales in the wee hours of Tuesday or Wednesday nights, but the best fare I found last time was a random search on a Saturday and the next day the price had more than doubled. I also set up fare alerts on the sites that allow it so I get email notification of a price drop. It really shouldn't be this difficult but perseverance is they key. Pick a price range you are comfortable with and when you find a price that fits it, buy and don't look back. Otherwise you will drive yourself crazy.

Good hunting...

Thanks. I will check those sites.

When my wife and I go to Negril, I usually find the best deals about 3 months from our travel dates.

I also agree with not looking back. That will drive you insane if you keep checking prices after you've purchased!

Thanks for the good advice!

A lot of it depends where you're flying from and what airfare looks like year over year, $300-800 could be cheap depending on where you're going from, how many stops there are, and how many flights go out of your airport.

Airplanes tend to be filled completely now so when the number of seats start to drop it won't get cheaper...

I booked 1 1/2 months out and got almost the lowest price possible, the previous time I booked 6 months out and overpaid.

Google.com/flights shows a LOT of different sites and is an aggregator of airfare, it's easy to use and lets you quickly search for airfare.

Mon/Tues/Wed are "usually" the best time of the week to search.

One thing to keep in mind that if it spikes from $400-800 then odds are it won't go much below $400, if each person is booking his/her own ticket then you can also use places like hotwire and priceline which often have rebates in the entertainment book.

$20 off x8 is $160 saved.

If your dates are firm then you should try booking by 3 months out. Are you flying out of a major hub? I booked in June for September travel and the prices never dropped. If you see a good deal with an airline then jump on it; you should have an idea what's a deal from your area to JA given the time of year.

We always fly out of Atlanta. We always go Saturday to Saturday due to our work schedules. I know that is the highest time to go, but we have no choice. The least we have paid was $397 and the most was this year for November was $433. That is the most I've ever paid per person.

Our March trip will be 8 people. I am paying for the resort and letting everyone pay their own airfare. I guess I just need to teach them how to find the lowest fares themselves.

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice!
Greg

Been going in March the last 7 years and the last two trips we have paid 500+ each R/T from NC. If you see it again at $450 I would jump on it, you are not going to find it much cheaper than that.

I usually book about two months in advance, but I'm booked a day in advance, too, just depends. Airfare from LAX used to be in the high 400s or low 500s but these days it's between 600 to 800 .... If you get a deal from Cali for close to 600, it's not going to go down much.

In my experience...the closer you get the more expensive it gets. Check BING and it will tell you if you should book now or wait. But if you see under $500 I would jump on it!!

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

I usually book about two months in advance, but I'm booked a day in advance, too, just depends. Airfare from LAX used to be in the high 400s or low 500s but these days it's between 600 to 800 .... If you get a deal from Cali for close to 600, it's not going to go down much.

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Same deal for me as I fly out of LAX. This year the cheapest I found around New Years was the mid $800's, unless I wanted to fly on nickel and dime you Spirit which was a bit cheaper.

I typically book each way separate as I have airline miles to factor in. This year I am flying back from Ja first class on US Airways and only paying the taxes. If you are disciplined with credit cards it's the way to go. I pay for whatever I can with them and do my best to pay them off. Has worked so far at least.....