When is the best time to purchase airfares for Italy? We are on a R.S. tour towards the end of June returning in mid July. The airfares are all $1500 plus which is substantially higher than anticipated. I have tried to use frequent flier miles since October, but both United and American have not released them yet. They say the planes are empty, but no seats available. If I purchase for the 7 or us, does anyone have any advice on when to purchase and where is the best place to purchase them from? We are leaving from the San Francisco area to Milan and then returning from Rome. Thanks for any help. ........Mark
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
251 posts
Mark,
You mentioned "7 of us" could there be children in your group that could qualify for student fares?
Also, could you consider flying into Amsterdam? In a recent search I found flights in the 900-1100 range. The savings would well pay the differnce for a night train to Milano.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I have never seen a child rate for international flights, a seat filled is a seat filled in the airlines eys. BUT,,, if anyone knows an airline that gives child discounts for INTERNATIONAL flights please tell me,, we are a family of five that rarely fly together as flights would add up to at least 7 or 8 thousand dollars!!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23319 posts
$1500 may not to that bad for that time of year. Keep in mind that is close to if not peak time and discounts will be limited. Last year we flew Denver/Phil/Rome and Zurich/Phil/Denver for just over $1000. The dollar was 1.32 and now it is 10% weaker and fuel is much higher so that same ticket at $1200 might be reasonable. It is always a gamble but I would not wait beyond February. And it could be difficult to get 7 discount tickets at the same time.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7575 posts
For June flights you are probably a little early for "best" rates; what you are seeing are the standard rates. I would think that you should see a drop about March, but since you will be flying during peak season ($$), from the West coast ($$), and flying to a slightly further destination ($$); I would not expect a big drop. If you see $1000 to $1200 tickets(including taxes and fees) that may be a good price. You might try a ticket consolidator, 7 is not a "group", but they might deal. I would try a phone contact as opposed to just a web inquiry.
Posted by
White Bear Lake, MN, USA
479 posts
Mark, $1500 is on the high end of what should be expected, but it's far from way too high for that time of year. Thanks to our "almighty" dollar, that flight used to be about $500-700 cheaper.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
We have a "group" of 20 flying into Paris in June and our "group" price is not great at all. It was around $1000 per person.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
Don't know if this still applies, but a student group from a local highschool went to Italy and Greece in July and flew into Frankfurt. They said it was the cheapest flight to Europe from Philadelphia (our local airport) that they could get. They then flew a local airline into Rome and out of Athens back to Frankfurt and home.
Posted by
pacific grove, ca, usa
144 posts
You might keep trying with the frequent flyer desk. Yesterday my husband scored two round trips from SFO to Frankfurt, with an additional round trip from Frankfurt to Istanbul for 70,000 miles each with United. The SFO to Frankfurt and back was the easier part and cost 50,000 miles each. It did take him more than one call....
Posted by
OP
San Jose, Ca., USA
31 posts
I just got off the phone with United again and it appears that Lufthansa hasn't opened up their seats yet. American airlines tells the same story. I guess I will have to keep trying. I am also using Kayak and airfare.com, but they indicate that Summer fares also haven't been released yet. Hopefully these summer fares will open up in the next few weeks. I appreciate everyone's comments. Together we will all figure out how to get to Europe for a reasonable fare this summer. The dollar is lower, so maybe they will offer some specials to get people to fill the planes. We are looking forward to our R.S. tour with our 5 grown children and spouses. Now if we could just get the airlines to cooperate. ....