When to book plane tickets?

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg) 02/23/2016 at 10:36 • Filed to: None

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My wife and I are planning to go to Germany in September to visit my sister and brother-in-law in Stuttgart. Our current idea is to leave Friday evening and return the following Saturday. We live in Northern VA, so Dulles, BWI, and Reagan are all easily accessible to us.

Does anyone have any advice on when to book our flights? Will I get a better deal if I book now, 7 months out, or wait till the time draws closer?

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 10:40

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I’d say book now. We’ve always done it this way with flights from Germany to the US. It was always relatively cheap that way.

Jcarr > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 10:43

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Just hitch a ride on this!

jariten1781 > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 10:51

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Prices tend to slowly drop until about 45 days out for international, unless they fill up. If you want to toss the dice that there’ll still be availability that’s when you’ll want to book. After then they’ll rise pretty quick since business folks expense their tickets and book late.

Also, when booking, try to price out a bunch of single passenger itineraries as opposed to one joint one. That can save you if there’s only one low fare class ticket remaining.

Personally, though, I just book whenever I know I’m going to be making a trip with an in network airline. Trying to game the system to save 5% is too stressful for me anymore.

Ash78, voting early and often > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 10:51

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In the old days (80s and 90s), the earlier the better. Now with their more advanced (LOL) pricing algorithms, it’s more of a gamble.

I personally say book non-refundable as far in advance as you can for the peace of mind and better seat selection, but don’t hesitate to buy basic travel insurance if you have a potential event that might keep you from going at the last minute. Grandma dies and you have so say “Sorry, everyone, we gotta go!”

I’ve never actually bought travel insurance, but I gambled a lot more when I was younger :D

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Jcarr 02/23/2016 at 10:53

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You laugh, but I work for the company that designed her. We are looking at doing the engineering for the refit now that Crystal decided to buy her and make her sea worthy again.

The Dummy Gummy > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 10:53

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Tuesday nights, 3-6months out. No idea why Tuesday nights, but it works. Sometimes Wed nights too, but mostly Tuesday.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 10:55

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From my experience, about 3 months before you fly, but I could be wrong.
But one thing for sure: if you can fly on weekdays, the prices are almost always cheaper.

Jcarr > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 10:59

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I know. That’s why I suggested it :)

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Jcarr 02/23/2016 at 11:09

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Oh right. I forgot I mentioned it. I’m pretty excited about that job, but I don’t think we’ll be anywhere close to done by September. But I do want to take a trip on her when she’s done.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > The Dummy Gummy 02/23/2016 at 11:10

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Well, today is Tuesday, so I’ll check prices this evening. Maybe check them over the next few days and keep a log and see if that really holds true.

Jcarr > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 11:12

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Oppo Cruise? Oppo Cruise.

The Dummy Gummy > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 11:13

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If you don’t mind a layover, this site has saved me hundreds skiplagged.com

It will even show you the way prices are trending. Safe travels!

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Snuze: Needs another Swede 02/23/2016 at 12:05

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I think it still holds true, so never buy between Friday morning and Monday afternoon. That’s when the airlines tend to raise price to see if the other airlines will follow, then they roll fares back if the others don’t match the increases.