Airfare for Next trip to LOS - Buy early? ~ LB-69

Ladyboy Hunter Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 192 Points: 240

Well, I should be settling in after a great weak in Thailand...but my company needed me to cancel my trip so I got to work instead Evil or Very Mad

I do have a little over two weeks in November that I'm headed back. Very Happy

I usually wouldn't think about booking my tickets this early but with price of oil going up everyday, and the stuff I've heard from the US airlines the past couple days about cutting capacity, and charging to check a bag, charging for a window or aisle seat..etc. I keep thinking it may be a good idea to lock in my prices now...it just feels early. But, I can't help feel that the airlines are setting up for price hikes in the near future.

Anyone else feel this way?

Ladyboy Guru Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 1558 Points: 825

Hi Hoot , I'm thinking about booking now as I has just booked three weeks leave from work today . I missed a one day halfprice sale a few weeks ago but was too slow Sad

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I will be in Phuket about the 3rd or 4th of November for a week then heading to Pattaya and maybe try a squeeze a few days in Bangkok but am undecided about that . What are your plans?

Hey Hoot:

I don't know really which way is best. Trying to 2nd guess the airlines is difficult.

I had been waiting for the summer promotional fares on NWA (my preferred carrier) to book my August trip, and when my plans changed to June, I actually found a better fare.

On this most recent trip (leaving on Friday), I booked my ticket about 11 days ago, and paid $200 less than any other trip to LOS so far ($558 USD + tax, and 60K miles). It brings peace of mind booking the ticket ahead, but sometimes there are better fares as the date grows closer.

It's clearly a crap shoot and your mileage may vary

Auto

I booked early and looked what happend to oasis i nearly lost £600 Sad

Ladyboy Hunter Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 124 Points: 160

that is just really bad luck gaz Shocked

best sticking with bigger companies with a long and reliable history of service Smile

Ladyboy Hunter Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 192 Points: 240

You're right trying to game the airlines is a crap shoot. Thaiair premium economy has gone up $200 bucks in the last six months and is already pretty pricey. I guess I answered my own question and will book my ticket early...just needed to get it out in the air and get some feedback... thanks.

Phil:

I was originally planning on the last two weeks in November, however I may have to change that to last week in Nov. and 1st week of Dec. I have to make my decision by the end of the week. Sounds like we may cross paths, if just for a few days - when is your last day?

I'm planning on splitting my time between Pattaya and Phuket as well.

Ladyboy Guru Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 1558 Points: 825

Hi Hoot , I will have to be back at work on the 24th of November (maybe a day or two later as I'd hate to miss the weekend), hope that leaves enough time to meet.

A crap shoot for sure. I found a great price and was waiting for a better one and they shot up about $200 and have not come down to within $150 from the first price I saw since. Crying or Very sad

I finally found one that fit my comfort level and I seriously doubt they will go down more than $50 from what I paid so, I am going to relax and not look anymore. Now to book the hotels.

My advice with Long Haul travel - book as soon as you know the dates you want to go.

Very rarely does a price come down, but planes do fill up, so why risk not getting on the flights you want. Also as mentioned, fuel as it is, airlines are already up-ing their "Fuel Surcharges".

Read in a paper the other day, that a return ticket with BA on a flight over 9 hours, now has £218 fuel surcharge added, on top of their already expensive fares. Shocked

Use a credit card too, just incase the airline does go under, which alot seem to be doing now. 9500 passengers on the UK airline Silverjet are now out of pocket, as the airline will not refund them.