I've been taking my trips to Europe in May and getting my tickets in March the past 4 years. Just for fun, I started looking at traveling at more off-season times - like January - say Atlanta to AMS, but I'm not seeing fares any different I see on all my previous trips. Is this just the airlines adjusting their flight frequency to account for less demand?
Posted by
OP
Germantown, Tennessee
99 posts
yes, too early could be it - I guess I was under the impression people booked this far in advance, but maybe not.
also, the travel dates I'm comparing are January vs May
Posted by
Nebraska
333 posts
I usually book airfare a good 6 months in advance for overseas. Inside the 3 month mark, they seem to get more expensive and with less seat choices. That being said, in the last 2 years I've seen very little fluctuation in pricing ($100-$200 maybe, but no big price drops like I saw in 2012 and 2013), no matter when it's booked. I paid the same for my trip next Sept as I paid in spring 2015. I booked my tickets in December. The costs are about $200 more now. If you see a flight you want- book it. It's all a crapshoot.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You can book within 330 days of your return flight. I usually book 6-8 months ahead, and wait for the schedule change emails to roll in.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I use two to three months as my rule of thumb for international flights. My next flight was booked much earlier because I saw a sale and was pretty sure I wouldn't beat it no matter how long I waited. Normally I'll start four to five months ahead, check prices, set up multiple fare alerts and watch for a month before I get serious. This time I searched, spotted a sale that was a little cheaper than my previous two flights and booked it.