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Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
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    Default How long before departure should I buy airline ticket?

    Planning to visit Disney World in summer 2012 how long before departure should I buy airline ticket to get cheapest airfare?

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
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    You should book your airline ticket about three or four months before departure or wait few day before departure.
    Last edited by Strmchsr; 11-19-2011 at 08:47 AM. Reason: TOS

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
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    Santa Rosa Beach, FL
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    to Intercot!!! Airfare these days is crazy. I agree that 3-4 months is usually ideal, but really check constantly and when you see a good deal, grab it. Deals can pop up any time.
    Chris, aka Strmchsr
    INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning, Guests with Special Needs, and Weather Guru

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
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    As soon as you can afford it. Decide on a price that's a value and buy it. Airfare is a gamble, it may go down, more often than not, it goes up.

    I buy mine as soon as it's available. I usually book a vacation a year or more in advance, days are set, so other than flight time, my flights are set.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    Now TexansInAL :)
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    It is truly so random... almost like these days rolling the dice... We do like SW as they will lower your fare if it goes down and you call...at least mitigates some of it..
    Dec 2013 - Wilderness Lodge
    Dec 2012 - Wilderness Lodge
    Mar 2012 - AKL
    Nov 2011 - Wilderness Lodge
    Dec 2010 - Wilderness Lodge
    Jun 2008 - Wilderness Lodge - Yippee!
    Feb 2007 - Wilderness Lodge
    Dec 2005 - Wilderness Lodge
    Feb 2004 - All Star Sports
    Dec 2000 - Offsite
    Dec 1996 - Offsite

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
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    Florida
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    Welcome to Intercot!

    Many airlines have already released their schedules through next summer so it is not too early to begin tracking what they are charging. Airfares are all over the place - even for the same flight on the same day! Look now so you get a sense of what they are. They begin to look regularly. If you see a really good deal, jump on it! Typically, I like to know that I've locked my airfare in 2-3 months before I begin my trip. I wouldn't wait until a few days before leaving - that would make it too nervous and airfare often increases quite a lot if you wait until the last minute to buy!
    Linda aka: Faline
    INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
    [email protected]

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
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    I have had my tickets for January 20-31 about 4 weeks ago. Prices are up about $65 round trip. As soon as I know when I want to go, I start watching the prices. Once it gets to a price I'm comfortable with, I book, and try not to look at it again unless I'm on Southwest.
    Meg

    40 trips (plus two to Disneyland, and one to Disneyland Paris) and counting!

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    QUEENS,NY
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    We drive now, but in the old days, we would book air as soon as it was available. Usually because we travelled with a gruop.
    PETE FROM NYC
    DISNEY NUT SINCE THE 1950s.
    I AM POOH SIZED AND PROUD OF IT.
    FORGET ABOUT THAT OTHER FAT GUY ON TV.
    I AM THE REAL KING OF QUEENS
    TWELVE TRIPS FROM 1975 - 2007 all by plane
    Drove down 2009,2010,2012,2014.
    DVC since 9/09. We own at BLT.
    Next trip: 11/1 to 11/12. BLT

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Phillipsburg, NJ
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    Watch for the day of the week that you purchase, as well. Most airlines decrease the price of their tickets from Monday night into Tuesday afternoon/evening. Never buy them on a weekend. I bought my December airfare in September with AirTran, and the weekend price was about $160 round trip, but when prices went on sale Monday evening I got them for $120 round trip. Do an internet search for the airline you plan on using to find out the best days of the week to purchase.
    °O° Ria°O°

    "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." ~Walt Disney

    First trip: 11/05-Pop
    Next trip(s): 9/12-CSR, 10/12-ASM & Swan,
    11/12-Swan & YC
    Pop x 4
    CBR x 1
    POFQ x 2
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    WL x 1
    AKL x 2
    SOG x 3

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Land o' Lincoln
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    I agree with the others. I purchased our tickets for this trip (leaving on Thanksgiving) at the beginning of September. Check daily if possible...when we went to Alaska last year I had been checking daily (thank goodness!) one day the airfare for 2 roundtrip was around $2300 then the next day I checked, we got roundtrip for both of us for $1200, next day back up to $2300! Airfare is crazy!

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Girard, Oh.
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    We purchased our about four months in advance. the downer was it was a 9 am flight that got resheduled to a 10:20 am flight then a 11:50 flight. And to top it off, the flight was delayed another three hours due to mechanical problems and they had to bring in another plane. /:-( Cost us our entire first day. I would hesitate buying TOO soon to avoid schedule changes. Airtran by the way.

    Disney World
    Off site - 1980-1983
    CR - 87, BC - 95, YC - 99, BW - 05, GF - 06, BW - 07
    BC - 09 with kids and grandkids
    BC - 10, BC - '11,
    June 2012, family retirement vacation Poly
    Dec. 2013 GF/BC CL
    Sept. 2014. GF. CL. 40th Anniversary.


    It ain't a vacation if you don't go fishin!

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