Has the cost of flying made you reconsider going at all?

Ruth what is the price and route you're looking at?

Good heavens, it's still 9 months away. I agree that it is still way too early to be panicking over flights. As suggested, forget about it for a few months, and then sign up for Google flight alerts. In the mean time, see if you can increase your travel budget.

We've never pulled the plug on an already booked trip because of an unexpected cost. We price out components before committing ourselves, and factor in a healthy 'just in case' cushion.

I know it is hard to generalize but last year I found the best prices for May flights in November. I didn’t book and they went up a couple hundred dollars. I thought they they would go back down but they didn’t. Instead, just kept going up. I ended up choosing a less convenient routing to save some big bucks.

I think this is too early to conclude that prices are going to be too high to do.

I agree with the others. Prices can jump around so much that it doesn't pay to panic at this time.

Do you use Google Flights? If so, you can change the settings so that GF will notify you if the routes you are looking for go up or down. It's a very handy feature.

Just go to https://www.google.com/travel/flights, pick the option for round trip, multi-city or one way, then input your route and date of travel. GF will show you a list of top airlines, their routes and what they are currently charging. But right above that list is a toggle button that says "Track prices." Once you turn that on, Google will notify you by email if anything changes.

Google flights is a great research tool. It will allow you to see prices for every day of the month, thru to about June 2024 now. And setting the alerts for different dates and cities is also a great tool.
Sometimes just changing dates by a day or two decreases the price.
Sometimes changing the airport makes a big difference.
Maybe it's time for a new credit card with a big mileage bonus that can apply to flights?
We have a British Airways visa which takes 10% off our flights. We then stacked it with the AARP discount.
(Have you checked thenAARP discount portal? It works with British Airways, not sure what other airlines.)
A month ago we booked British Airways business class from LAX to Amsterdam for $1800 RT each, using the above discounts, for next April. We live in San Diego, so LAX is a pain, but business class in San Diego has been consistently high for the past 18 months , so we took the LAX flights. Before this, we were also worried about the cost of flights just being too much to justify.
Time is money. Play around on Google Flights with different departure and arrival cities and days. You have a lot of time yet. I get the feeling you like everything to be booked and in place early, but may not have that luxury this time.
Good luck!

Everyone's situation is different. If this would be a deal breaker for you, I would watch prices/ consider purchasing until you reach the point where your deposit would cease to be refundable. Make your final decision then.

SAS is currently having a sale that covers travel through next May. You may want to check it out. It might mean repositioning yourself either before or after your flight, but their prices are quite reasonable.

I wish you the best!

I second the recommendation to track the flight prices with Google Flights for at least a month. May is a long way off yet, you have time to watch for a bit, do not pull the plug until you have more data. If you see a price that suits you, purchase it immediately. Don't wait a couple hours or it will be gone (I know this from experience). I agree with the suggestion to save searches for different dates as well as different airline choices and departure cities if you have more than one option.

The airlines' revenue management algorithms are still trying to figure things out post-Covid. Those ticket prices in May are probably based on the incredible demand that was seen this travel season. If the demand is not the same next year, they will go down. Of course, if the demand is still at or close to record levels, then they'll stay high.

I realize this is a completely non-conclusive answer :-). I do, however, agree with others. Just track the prices for now, at least into the first few weeks of January, to see if they drop.

Thanks everyone. Good advice. I’ve set the flight alerts and will wait to see what happens.

It hasn't made me reconsider, but it does leaveme open to more destinations. My new philosophy is to let the seat sales decide where I'm going next.

Allan: I think you have the right idea.
I'm looking , but don't see any prices that fit my budget just mow.
Fun to look though!

I have a trip in early December that I began looking at flights for about 4 months ago. The cheapest flights 4 months ago are now more expensive..... but many of the way-too-expensive flights four months ago are now cheaper than anything I had seen previously. My point .... wait and dont panic.

If I am booking with points I book as soon as I can...I book business/first and those can go fast. If paying cash then I watch prices with Google flights and book when suggested.

I don't think 9 months is too early. I booked my flights for next month back on December 31st and I'm glad I did because I paid $1,600 total and it hasn't gone below $3,500 since then! But I do agree with tracking flight prices using Google flights. They will tell you when to pull the trigger.

Jill M. What happened to me was I had Google tracking the 2 cheapest flights the week i wanted to go and the week i wanted to return. They were both under $1000 and nothing else was within $250. They both went up over the few following months, and up quite a bit. So I went back to Google and looked at all the options again and found that what were once expensive options were now cheaper than the cheap flights of several months earlier.

But I am incredibly flexible. For that trip I want to depart between 15 November and 4 December and it will be one way with no return flight. So I can pick and choose tge best dates.

@Mr. E, based on recommendations from Rick Steves, I didn't use the "one way" option when looking and booking--I used "multi city" in my Google flights search for my upcoming BOEE tour.

Maybe add that as one of the things you're tracking, just for grins?

I think RT or Multi City is usually I better deal. That been my impression on 3 to 4 flights a year to Europe over the last 20 years.

I am buying one way, cause I may not return for a long while. I mentioned it, but should have explained, that the return trip flight cost is a part of a RT ticket and it can fluctuate too, making it even more unpredictable.

There have been some pretty decent surveys with indicators of the best time to buy, I suspect that they pay off if you buy 3 or 4 trips a year because they rely on averages. For one flight it's like shooting craps.

For me I have saved more being flexible with dates than with timing .... and going Basic Economy.

Step 1.....

Forget about the past. I see posters on here still thinking the $500 roundtrip tickets from "pre covid" are realistic. They really weren't sustainable then and they probably aren't coming back.

Step 2....

The "cookie myth' is just that... a myth. If it was true than what I am going to tell you for step 3 would NEVER work and 90% of the time it does

Step 3.

Go to google flights. (now, not in a few months as keeps being advised. There's no downside to starting now and their could be an upside) Put in your dates and destinations. It will bring up a calendar. s. If not, go ahead and put in a fare watch. They email you. Just yesterday I got an email that a flight I was watching to the Caribbean just dropped $200 . Periodically I go to Google Flights and check to see what's going on. For example for my next trip I figured out that coming home on Tuesday instead of Monday saved a lot of money... more than enough to pay for the Monday night expenses!

Step 4 - Only do this if you think you might travel again. Once you book the flight check periodically . If the price goes down see if you can rebook and get a credit. Most of my travel is on Delta and I can do this, since I know I will travel on them again it's worth it. (Note I NEVER clear cookies.... I would say that on 50% of my flights I eventually find a price decrease.. "but wait cookies will ensure the airline only raises the price" LOL!)

Step 4 requires you spend $300 to avoid a $250 rebooking fee. In the last 20 trips I have rebooked once, so I go cheap on the tickets.

As soon as I set my trip I look for airfare. Since COVID I only book the slightly higher refundable fare. If the prices go down I can easily cancel and rebook. I’m to the point that I will spend more for a direct flight. So, I booked my Sept. 2023 flight back in Sept of 2022. The flight went down $30 at one point, but not worth the hassle to rebook. I have been checking at least once a week ( I know obsessively) and it has only gone up since that one little dip. The flights I booked (with seat fees) are now $200 cheaper than the regular economy. I have been told that international flights don’t tend to drop as much as domestic, so if you see a price you can live with, grab it!

Blockquote Step 4 requires you spend $300 to avoid a $250 rebooking fee. In the last 20 trips I have rebooked once, so I go cheap on the tickets.

Not always. I booked Delta.. free changes From what I know the following airlines do not charge change fees as long as you don't book their "basic economy": type product
1. American
2. Delta
3. United

Other's have varying rules, Jet Blue does and doesn't.. read our fare rules. . But booking via American, Delta and United also opens you up to a lot of international partners. For example I am flying Virgin Atlantic home on my next trip. Booked on Delta, have already changed it twice for free.

Since my mother is in hospice I only book on airlines without change fees (Domestically I can also book with SW and Alaska, but they don't go to Europe) Since I know I will be traveling again having a credit is fine with me so I don't pay for for the refundable fares.

as long as you don't book their "basic economy": type product

But that is exactly what I book. And why not?

Me too. I buy basic economy tickets and fly Delta. I tend to book far in advance (cheap tickets), and since Delta has been changing their flights prior to my travel date, I just change my flight whenever Delta has a significant change for free. Also gives me a chance to cancel for a refund when they make a change.

It's all what you are comfortable with, and I'm comfortable with my cheap tickets. Expensive flights make me uncomfortable since there's more money to potentially lose.

Well, if you book the basic economy tickets, you don’t get to pick your seat so when you’re sitting in the middle seat in the back, you can’t whine. Which I refuse to do I am not getting on a plane without at least making a good effort to get a seat I’ll be happy with . Also, when do you want to cancel you get no credit

those two things alone. Keep me from being basic economy. I watched way too many people have a little hissy fits at the airport when they discovered they couldn’t sit next their companions

the final blow for me would be that I often fly to Europe for free using my frequent flyer miles and I wouldn’t get any credit towards the next trip flying basic economy. For the savings the cost is too high for me

My flights in the last 12 months have been two on KLM and two on Lufthansa. All the cheapest fare offered … no matter what they called it. All offered seat selection when I purchased the tickets. None offered a checked bag, but I did pay twice to check a bag there (but not back) and it was still several hundred cheaper than the upgrade.

I checked a Lufthansa Economy flight to BUD and back in December and it was
Economy Light $1088 basically $200 to make a change and no checked bag
Economy Basic $1383 which is Economy light with a checked bag and no change fee
Economy Flex $1508 no restrictions and refundable
Premium Economy started at about $3000

I see Delta is a bit more pissy about seats. But if you upgrade the prices go up steeply.

As for where you get assigned. If traveling with a spouse this could be an issue. Traveling alone really not as you can move as soon as they turn off the seatbelt light.

Here are the Delta Rules with prices from ATL to BUD in December

Basic Economy $1286
Non-changeable, cancelable for partial credit in the form of an eCredit (cancellation charge applies).
Seat Assignment(s): Customers traveling with companions likely will not sit together. Basic Economy seats are assigned after check-in (within 24hrs of departure)
Boarding: Basic Economy passengers board last. Overhead bin space may be limited.

Europe Economy $1456
Manage Your Trip with Ease: Enjoy more freedom and flexibility to manage your trip with no change fees for flights originating in United States and Canada.
Increased Seat Choice & Selection: Whether choosing a to upgrade your seat to a premium cabin or selecting a different seat, you can choose an available seat that works for you and your travel companions.
Eligible to Purchase Upgrades: With Main Cabin, you are eligible to purchase upgrades to premium seats or products.
Receive eCredit Upon Cancellation: If you cancel your flight, the value of your ticket will be returned in the form of an eCredit, which you can apply to your next flight.

Comfort Economy $1596
Seat Experience: Stay comfortable with up to 3 inches of extra legroom.
Benefits You'll Enjoy: Focus on the journey ahead knowing you can change or cancel your ticket without fees (fare difference will apply), earn miles for your trip and select your own spacious seat.
Board Early & Deplane Quickly: Settle in sooner and enjoy the ride. Once you've arrived, get on your way and to your destination faster.
Dedicated Overhead Bin Space: Rest easy knowing your things are right above your seat
Food & Drink Extras: Take pleasure in complimentary alcoholic beverages on flights over 250 miles and more premium snack options.

Premium Select Economy $3426
Seat Experience: Put your feet up on a more spacious seat that features an adjustable foot & leg rest with deeper recline
Benefits You'll Enjoy: Focus on your journey ahead knowing that you can change or cancel your ticket without fees (fare difference will apply), earn miles for your trip and select your own spacious seat.
Airport Experience: Enjoy an expedited Sky Priority Experience, 2 free checked bags and be among the first to board so you can settle in sooner
Dining & Service: Experience an enhanced meal service with complimentary wine, beer and spirits, plus Starbucks® coffee and tea.
Connectivity & Extras: Stay entertained with Delta Studio® entertainment on a large seatback screen and connected with in-seat power

The round trip DFW to Athens in May I have been tracking has only gone up and up. I did book at decidedly more than it was when first available. I’ll see if it drops but I’m skeptical.

Mr E, I’m not disputing you but I usually fly American or Alaska out of DFW and flights have been very booked and also have heard flight attendants saying not to change seats if there were free ones. Getting stuck in a middle seat in a 4 seat across row would be torture to me so I do pony up for a better option. You must be very chill 😊.

Lyndash, who knows. To be honest, I've flown KLM and Lufthansa cheapest fares, and both let me pick a seat, and if I were to go Delta, I would pay the $170 extra for that privilege. My Lufthansa Economy Light ticket a few weeks ago resulted in me having 3 seats in the center section to stretch out and sleep in. My last 3 trips over haven't been half full, but that might be the Austin market.

Nope, since I won't be getting any younger or healthier in the future.
For me, the biggest problem with anything below what Mister E's post said is Comfort Economy, is overhead space for my carryon and the dreaded middle seat.

I am sorry but if they tell me "don't change seats" and there are empty rows IN MY CABIN I am going to question this and file a complaint. Now, you can't self upgrade and I have seen the FAs have to tell people "sorry sir you didn't pay for comfort"

That said some of you are luckier than me because i have flown to Europe twice this year and there was not an empty seat on any plane coming or going!!

But I am also one of those "rude" people who won't trade with you so you won't have to sit in the middle seat and can sit next to your friend (yes I have been asked, yes I have smiled and said no) And then there was my ALL time favorite, the couple on their honeymoon that bought ONE business seat and assumed that the airline would see that and upgrade him to business class or that when the person sitting next to her heard it was their honeymoon they would volunteer to move to coach so they could sit together. I said no and kind of felt bad until I overheard them talking while they thought I was asleep, apparently this ruse failed both going to and returning from Europe.

Cala, I MUST have an aside seat. PERIOD. Nothing else matters. Ohhh, maybe in the first 24 rows, too. So far, boarding in the last group, I have always found room with little effort for my carry-on. But someday that might be an issue because of all the cheaters.
After everyone is on the plane, I move my personal item to a bin too.