Greetings! Our group is planning a trip to Italy in April 2009. Most likely, we will be flying out of Los Angeles (where half of the group is located) to either Venice or Rome and then returning from Venice or Rome (whichever one we didn't arrive in). I've been doing some pricing, and airfare is running in the $1400 range (including taxes, etc). Is this normal for travel to Italy in April? Should I wait until sometime in Fall 2008 to purchase the tickets? Our preference, if we are unable to fly non-stop direct, would be to fly from Los Angeles to somewhere on the continent, and not have a US layover.
Thanks in advance for advice/words of wisdom...
Posted by
Land of La
8667 posts
Ava, I most always use Orbitz to check fares. They have a new deal if you book a flight and someone else books the same flight at a lower rate Orbitz will refund the difference (up to $250). Not bad. Late Tuesday I booked my Xmas flight from LAX to Italy. Had thought about going to London (simply because I LOVE London AND it is a major hub) but instead booked myself into and out of Milan. All for about $950 on British Airways. Yes, I know they're in financial trouble just like American was two years ago when I flew to Europe. That's why I buy insurance.
Ironically I will be in London this trip, but sadly just in Heathrow for a 2 hour layover. I could have waited to see if I got a better deal but now I have one less part of planning to be concerned about. Works for me. However you are talking much farther into the future than I. Personally for something in April of 09 I'd wait until November or December to book but that's just me.
Posted by
In the Mountains, USA
689 posts
We like Luefthansa. They have direct flights - Denver/Munich or Frankfurt/ then to Italy. I bet they have direct from LAX too.
I'd book as soon as I knew the dates.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Check out sidestep.com for rates. Check a variety of dates and options. Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are cheaper than Fridays through Mondays. Normally, flying from LAX will be cheaper but not always. If you have to do a US layover, check Orange County also. I flew British Airways to London once out of San Diego at a great price, we had one stop in Phoenix but didn't leave the plane.
After you have tried some options. Sidestep allows you to set up email alerts. They will send you periodic emails with fare updates. You have to make a judgement when the fare has reached a good level and buy then. Personally I would wait until at least the Fall and maybe Winter before booking.
With a group, you should also shop for trip insurance. My mother planned on traveling with a friend who's husband got sick so the trip was off. If there might be reasons for someone to drop out, they should look at insurance to cover the flight and hotel charges but read their policy carefully so you know what is covered and what isn't (i.e. most cover personal illness, some cover illness in the family, not sure if any cover illness of a travel partner or their family).
Posted by
Buffalo, NY
70 posts
We traveled in June this year and we paid $1387 a piece. I watched prices like a hawk for months, and never saw big changes in price until a few weeks before the trip when they went WAY up. I purchased about 3 months ahead of time.
I used kayak.com for fare watching and alerts.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
31 posts
Thanks to everyone who replied - great tips - thanks!
Though we are not going until April, this was sort of spur of the moment trip decision - while having a conversation with my cousin over the 4th of July, Italy came up and we all sort of thought (wouldn't that be great fun) and so decided to go over their Spring Break period. So anyhow, I had never watched the pricing for airfare to Italy, so I was not sure if $1400 was low, mid or high.
Thanks!