Should I be worried?

[jan24]

No flight and I am less than 50 days away......Has anyone ever waited this long to book?

[Rob]

To be honest, I have booked hours before I got on the plane. It cost me a bundle but I made it. But I would book as soon as you find an affordable flight - this is peak season!

[Prism]

I don't know about PA but here the prices go low then high then low again. I bought our tickets for Feb 8 at the beginning of Nov when they were low. They went high a couple of weeks later and stayed that way until the beginning of this week when they went low again. It seems to be the norm that a good time is 3 months out then again good prices 4-6 weeks before when they lower the fares for dates that still have a lot of availability. It helps if you have a bit of leeway with your dates. Also use this site to keep an eye on rates. I always use the calendar of lowest fares option

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/

[HarryS]

As long as you start two identical threads, you'll be fine.

Seriously though, people do it all the time. I tend to book my hotel(s) before buying flights, and have bought my flights at a great price as late as a 2 or 3 weeks before travel. I suggest you find a price you're happy with, get your tickets, then stop checking prices, you'll just drive yourself crazy.

[saeyedoc]

We booked our trip for next week only 30 days ago, still got good rates on SW.

[johng]

jan24,

Worry won't help anything change or get better.

You should have plenty of options!! I like many others have made spontaneous bookings, one time I was dropping my wife off at JFK as she was going to Europe, I had some vacation time due and I went to American Airlines and bought a ticket on the spot. Yea I paid more than 21 day advance purchase but I had some FF miles that I somehow applied to the fare.

If I am not mistaken if you buy a ticket and between now and the time of your flight if the prices come down you can get a credit or refund on the difference.

[saeyedoc]

If I am not mistaken if you buy a ticket and between now and the time of your flight if the prices come down you can get a credit or refund on the difference.

Depends on the airline, most will charge you a change fee that is often more than the fare savings. Works great on Southwest though, you get a credit.

[Packrat]

50 days, I think I have only booked out that far 1 time in my life, most of mine are 2-15 days out as my schedule is constantly changing. Depending on where in Eastern Pa you are, you can get non-stop, 2 free bags out of BWI for under $380 a person in Feb and March. Stay at a local airport hotel the night before and you can get $5 a day parking with free shuttle to your gate.

[Jambarney]

If anyone has airline pricing figured out I would love to meet them. My best advice is check prices daily and purchase when you feel like your getting a good deal.
I've purchased last minute, literally night before we flew, a few days out, afew weeks and as much as 9 months out. All the years and trips, I've learned that you can't figure out a pattern on pricing and by checking often you can stumble across deals.
I've seen prices high for months then all of a sudden go low for 2 or 3 days then shoot right back up. Basically when I see a good price I grab it and we go, if not then we wait, but I check at least weekly all year long.
Good luck / jamb

[rinakim]

The airline that we use recently implemented a fare drop guarantee. Makes it much easier to book when you need to knowing that if prices go down you will get a travel credit!