Airfare dip!

[Nancy_B]

I just did a search on USAirways for PHL to STT direct for May 2009. It's been tracking for months now at $762. It just dipped to $568. Now, the question is - will it stay or should I book? I know it's a gamble but wonder if anyone has any industry insight.

Thanks!

[mbw1024]

geez, that price FINALLY budged! That is still high if you ask me but these days who knows!

[mcpenguin5]

I'm betting that with oil prices plummeting, the airfares will slowly come down. We are finding gas around here now for under $2.00 a gallon, a price I can't recall seeing in years. The airlines will be slower, they can't afford to adjust their prices to quickly when noone knows what the price of oil will do in the long run. Myself, I would bet on waiting a little bit for lower prices. No insight here, but just a feeling.
Kris

[Lulu76]

I read an article, I don't know where but it's been a while ago, that the airlines buy their fuel several months (sometimes years) in advance and it takes quite a while for them to feel relief from lowered gas prices.

This could all be hooey, but I swear I read it when they all started raising their rates. Apparently this was used as an explanation to why Southwest had not raised fares or started charging for extras -- they got a good deal on their fuel. Personally, I think it's because they're the only airline that actually knows how to do business in a method that can make a profit.

[islandgirl]

HI ya Nancy, We are finding flights out in May and June from Detroit for 298 plus tax. Will keep any eye out for ya!

[brenda]

$298 ? What airline? I'm going to have to start looking as we plan on going back in May. I was going to sit on it til after the first of the year, but will have to rethink if air is that cheap. When are you going back islandgirl?

[sailorgirl]

I read an ad today that Orbitz has a new promotion. if you book through them, they track the price and will refund automatically if the price drops. I did not check out the details but it might be worth a look.

[Nancy_B]

I think I'll hold of a bit - I'd rather wait to book until after the holidays. Thanks everyone for your input.

Islandgirl, what dates are you thinking? We're targeting May 9 to the 23rd. $298 - great airfare - I'd book that in a heartbeat.

[Jimm]

I read an ad today that Orbitz has a new promotion. if you book through them, they track the price and will refund automatically if the price drops. I did not check out the details but it might be worth a look.

The catch is another customer has to book with Orbitz your exact itinerary at a cheaper price in order to get the refund.

[Patrick]

The fares seem to dip on Tuesdays. We booked last Tuesday non-stop from Newark to STT for $476 per person for Dec 21-30. The cheapest we could find before that was $900 and change.

I think as the new year rolls past airfare will decline as long as oil prices are where they are at. So hopefully we all find a good rate for the next trip. That $299 is definitely a great price.

[islandgirl]

Hi Brenda and Nancy

Right now is not a good time to book airfare before a holiday. I find that right after the holidays thru the first week of January is good time to book. And American usually has Caribbean sales in Feb. or in
March... Or try two weeks after Easter is good. Try looking on Kayak.com about 1a.m. on Tuesdays and you can catch them changing the prices. I remembered 2 years ago AA lower their price to 101.00 on Jan1 to get rid of some seats. Keep an eye on Ultimate Air.com .... We never book until last minute to get the deals. We are hoping for May or First Of June. Good Luck. will pm you two

[Wakey]

excellent info

[jclampet]

If you are close to Reagan Int. You might find that to be considerably cheaper? Worth a look.

[jclampet]

Nancy, We are in Delaware just south of Dover, I wanted to expand on my other note, I have been tracking rates for months for May 16 - May 23... We looked at PHL, BWI, and Reagan and booked out of Reagan @ $372 per person RT on Delta. Have not seen anything that low since, but Reagan is still considerably lower than either of the other two.

[Nancy_B]

Jcmlampet, Thank you for the info. The drive to Reagan is over 2 hours so I'd have to weigh that into my decision. Islandgirl recommended that we wait a bit. I remember when we could get 386 out of PHL direct. Now, I"m happy with under 500