The latest airfare study

Interesting. Thanks phred. It still amazes me how much airfare has increased in recent years but the old adage of ‘what the market will bear……’ always applies.

I've set up several Google Flights trackers the past few years and it's amazing how much variation there can be, hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars. But no obvious pattern. Sometimes major swings in the same day.

I advise everyone to do the same long before your trip, you will get a sense after a few weeks of what a good fare is. And consider paying the premium for refundable tix.

All the surveys have come to very similar results. No secret. Not the day of the week you buy, not the day of the week you travel and not buying 11 months in advance. Its a crap shoot.

Buy too early and the odds increase of canceled or changed flights.
Buy too late and, yes, prices might be higher and, or, you dont get the seat you want.
Watch the cheapest flight today for several months and it may go up before you respond, BUT, a few that cost more 3 months ago might now be cheaper than the one you were tracking when it was at its cheapest.

The flight you are tracking left on Tuesday and returned on a Saturday and that was the best deal, but 3 months later if you change to Wednesday and Monday the savings will be great enough to pay for an additional night in a hotel.

I travel enough on the same route that I have a gut feeling of an acceptable price, and when I have the time and the money and there is a good schedule at a good fare, I just grab it. I just remain flexible enough to move my dates a few days one way or another and that can save hundreds today, but wouldn't have 3 months prior.

Yup, crap shoot.