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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: RickandJulie]
#322252
07/16/2024 04:03 PM
07/16/2024 04:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,750
Ohio
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I start looking as soon as possible after I know my dates. When it gets to a price you can live with, buy it.
And, sometimes when I am looking at air and if the price is right, I work around planning a trip if I am pretty confident I can get reasonable lodging.
J.D.
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: eightzerobits]
#322255
07/16/2024 05:36 PM
07/16/2024 05:36 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,180 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,180
Auburn, WA
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For BOS-SXM on JetBlue, I book about 325 days out. The flight is overpriced on the day it is released (330 days out) but usually drops down within a few days. From what I’ve seen it usually only gets more expensive from there. Yes. That's the way it's with American too.
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: RickandJulie]
#322258
07/16/2024 07:52 PM
07/16/2024 07:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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One thing that I have learned recently with regard to American in particular is as follows. If you book MAIN CABIN, if the price for your flight goes down, you can get a flight credit for the difference. NOT a cash refund, but a flight credit. The credit is only good for a year, but if you fly on AA fairly often, it's a good deal. Recently we were able to get a $150 credit for our upcoming flights to St. Croix. Main Cabin costs more than economy, but you get a seat assignment included. You can also book Main Cabin Extra. That costs more than Main Cabin, but if the price goes down, you can get money back to your original form of payment, as compared to only AA flight credit.
SO--to address your original question--I would check prices as soon as possible and book Main Cabin, at a point where the price is acceptable to you. Then do an automatic price check online and if the price goes down, call and get a price credit.
Carol Hill
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: eightzerobits]
#322267
07/17/2024 06:59 AM
07/17/2024 06:59 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,488 Rhode Island
RonDon
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,488
Rhode Island
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For BOS-SXM on JetBlue, I book about 325 days out. The flight is overpriced on the day it is released (330 days out) but usually drops down within a few days. From what I’ve seen it usually only gets more expensive from there. Exact info.
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: Mikel]
#322273
07/17/2024 08:54 AM
07/17/2024 08:54 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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Mikel--I'm not sure I understand what you mean about them not crediting back the upcharge for MCE. If you cancel and re-book, your credit should be whatever the difference is between the current fare and what you paid?
Carol Hill
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: RickandJulie]
#322274
07/17/2024 10:03 AM
07/17/2024 10:03 AM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 177 Arlen, TX
BillDauterive
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 177
Arlen, TX
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I subscribe to Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights). They have people and programs that scour the internet for discount and "mistake" fares, and email their paying customers. They recommend booking 2-8 months in advance for international flights (calling it the Goldilocks Window). FWIW, I consider the expense of Going well worth it. Subscribers can select which departure airports they want to have info on. I've seen some very tempting fares to every part of the globe, including SXM.
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: BillDauterive]
#322275
07/17/2024 10:08 AM
07/17/2024 10:08 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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Bill--I have never heard of that company. (Which doesn't mean anything, just making that statement.) The question is, do you then book THROUGH that company or directly through the airlines? To me, I would never book air through a third party anymore, as there is just too much uncertainty in the whole industry, with cancellations, delays, etc. If you book through the airline, you have some control. If booked through a third party, you are at their mercy.
Carol Hill
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: RickandJulie]
#322276
07/17/2024 10:41 AM
07/17/2024 10:41 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,345 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,345
Vancouver, WA
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Going, FlightAware, Expert Flyer and sites like these you don't book through. They only let you know when the upgrades come available, when the flight prices drop, and other info that benefits the traveler. I always book direct with the airline.
I am not as good with these apps as many are, but they are very useful and can really help improve your travel. Loyalty also pays well, may cost more at times but you make it up with other benefits.
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: RickandJulie]
#322282
07/17/2024 12:53 PM
07/17/2024 12:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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Not that I book first class, but I see that there is also a full refund to travel credit on that, if the price changes. For American, you do have to watch it, as their prices seem to change all the time.
Carol Hill
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: jazzgal]
#322285
07/17/2024 01:59 PM
07/17/2024 01:59 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,345 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,345
Vancouver, WA
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When going to SXM we are not using miles as I want FC and I want the status miles, which with AA if booking FC you get 150% towards status, note that we earn the miles on their One World Partner Alaska Airlines. Not the same as earning miles, you get those as well but towards airline status levels. I book the least expensive that I can stand the routing while fully expecting that my flights will change and then we tend to get much better routing. Sometimes we have to go days early or late, we can live with that with a smile on our face.
IF booking using miles, we do that the first day that route allows us to book with miles as we would if going overseas where BC or FC is way more expensive. We save our miles for those overseas trips, great value most of the time.
Carol, I had never heard of Going either. I had heard of Scott's Cheap Flights but have never used them. I use Expert Flyer the most, but pay good attention to the actual airline websites as well.
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Best Time To Book Flights
[Re: RickandJulie]
#322422
07/20/2024 05:29 AM
07/20/2024 05:29 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,065 Westchester /NYC
Colour1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,065
Westchester /NYC
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It's a cat and mouse game for months, is the airlines going to drop the price, should we wait a little longer??? And this goes on for MONTHS until we see the price in the budget that we are accustomed to paying!! Then we "pull the trigger"!!!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
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