Flights from IAD - STT - pricing- buy now at $480 or wait?

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:53 pm

OK kids, I know that no one out there has a crystal ball but I want some input if you've got it.

I need to purchase airline tix (preferably on AA). I know- their new checked bag charge is pissing me off but we get lounge privileges thru Amex platinum and we prefer their schedule to the other airlines.

So right now for our dates we're looking at about $480 a piece for Dec 7 -14. UGH!!That's the highest we've paid in years.

We've still got six months, but with the whole issue of fuel prices I'm not sure if I should just take a hit for the team and book now or adopt a calmer "wait and see" approach.

Typically I think of anything under $500 as acceptable, under $400 good and anything under $300 is a bargain.

There are plenty of seats on the flights we want to take as of now.

It's the classic dilemma! What are other folks out there doing? Buying or waiting?

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:27 am

If you think that's a good price, then I'd go for it. Watch it through Yapta and if the price goes down significantly, you can get a voucher or whatever for the difference. And if the price goes up, then you're the happy camper that bought her tickets when the price was good.

Fuel ain't gettin' any cheaper, that's for sure!

Rebecca in NOVA · Post by **Rebecca in NOVA** » Sat May 24, 2008 1:13 am

We bought IAD-STT tickets for next week (May-June) on United for $300 each in January and $360 (once we decided to bring along the mother-in-law) in March, FYI. But that's off-season. Good luck!

Rebecca in No. VA

DCphoto · Post by **DCphoto** » Sat May 24, 2008 1:35 am

Hi Gromit,
Long time since we have talked. We have not bought our tix yet either. Not knowing what to do is driving me nuts! We will be down Nov.30 through the 8th in Dec. Let me know if you come across anything. I think I'm going to start the search very soon. Good to see you on the forum again.

Sandy

silverheels · Post by **silverheels** » Sat May 24, 2008 6:52 am

$659.00 from CT through Charlotte for June 2008 on USAIR. At that price I'd go for it. Can't see things getting any cheaper.
Need to get husband down there so we had to bite the bullet and take it.

brenda · Post by **brenda** » Sat May 24, 2008 10:56 am

I would go for it and just did. I just paid $439 from Detroit to STT. Our dates aren't flexible and I had visions of the price skyrocketing. I'm following the under $500 is acceptable rule right now. Not great, just acceptable. We will just miss you by one day.

VayCay · Post by **VayCay** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:58 am

we got airfare from AA for LAX to STT @ $250/pp like 6months ago, and i think that is gonna be the best airfare i see for a LOOONG time, so i think 460 is pretty reasonable go for it

lovelybetbet · Post by **lovelybetbet** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:15 pm

We just paid $550 out of Baltimore to STT with one stop in Charlotte for November travel. We could have driven to DC and gotten tickets for $370, but didn't want to add another hour to travel time with the baby. I used that kayak website which was very helpful. Good luck!

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sat May 24, 2008 12:43 pm

VayCay wrote:we got airfare from AA for LAX to STT @ $250/pp like 6months ago, and i think that is gonna be the best airfare i see for a LOOONG time, so i think 460 is pretty reasonable go for it

OMG! Fantastic fare! The lowest I can find right now is around $525... and I consider that cheap from Calif.

VayCay · Post by **VayCay** » Sat May 24, 2008 1:12 pm

California Girl wrote:
VayCay wrote:we got airfare from AA for LAX to STT @ $250/pp like 6months ago, and i think that is gonna be the best airfare i see for a LOOONG time, so i think 460 is pretty reasonable go for it
OMG! Fantastic fare! The lowest I can find right now is around $525... and I consider that cheap from Calif.

i'm pretty sure it was one of those error rates because after we bought our tickets it disappeared a few days later

Bill in Va · Post by **Bill in Va** » Sun May 25, 2008 6:37 pm

Yo DC area peoples...Hit Orbitz right now...God bless...Bill...ps see you on island...Nov 29 to Dec 13th

brenda · Post by **brenda** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:03 pm

Hey Bill,
We will be there November 28th-December 6th. Hope to see ya there. Looks like a November 30th BB Gathering might happen.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Sun May 25, 2008 10:08 pm

ALL: Thanks for all the feedback and advice. I was hoping to wait until we got back from our aniversary trip to prague, but I'm thinking I just have to suck it up and take a hit for the team. UGH!!

DCPHOTO!! Hey girl!! I'm the worst at keeping in touch. How r u and Mr. DC Photo? We'll have to meet at the beach bar for drinks on the eve of the 7th, sorry we'll miss u the other days-- this was totally a last minute (for me) trip. I can't leave sat cause I'm graduating from my Sorenson Fellowship program at UVA on the 6th!! Hugs!

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Sun May 25, 2008 10:23 pm

Looks like if u buy tix on AA before June 15 you can avoid the $15 for your first bag fee. When you consider 2 people checking one bag each both ways that's a savings of $60 r/t. So if anyone's on the fence... See the description below...

Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after May 12, 2008 but before June 15, 2008 may check one bag for free and check a second bag for $25 each way.

Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after June 15, 2008 will be charged $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for the second checked bag.

The carry-on policy of one personal item (such as a purse or laptop bag) plus one bag remains in place.

The following customers will not be charged a service fee to check a bag provided the bag is within the weight allowance:

For the first checked bag, customers who buy a ticket before June 15, 2008, or who fly before June 15, 2008
For the second checked bag, customers who purchased a ticket before May 12, 2008
Customers traveling on an international itinerary to destinations beyond the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Canada
Customers who purchase full-fare tickets in Economy Class
Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets
Customers flying on AA codeshare flights not operated by American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection®
Customers traveling on government or military fares
Military passengers on active duty
AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Gold® members
oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
Customers flying on the same reservation as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold member or oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby member regardless of frequent flier status or fare type (not applicable to group bookings)
AAnytime® Economy Class AAdvantage award tickets, MileSAAver(SM) or AAnytime First and Business Class AAdvantage award tickets
First and Business Class upgrades confirmed prior to check in
AAirpass travel

Greenskeeper · Post by **Greenskeeper** » Sun May 25, 2008 11:05 pm

I say book it. I waited and regret it. The flights we wanted have doubled in price. With gas prices and the uncertain economy I don't think we'll see price drops for planned trips. I think the only way to get a great deal is to book very early or last minute as airlines want to fill as many seats as possible.

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