finding air decent airfare

[special ed teacher]

I have plans to visit Disney in March. I was wondering when the air fare for March would probably be the best to purchase. Right now it is so soon out, and the prices are just high. Any thoughts?

[Strmchsr]

It's hard to say. Basically, I suggest you sign up for the emails or Ding of whatever special offers for your local airlines and as soon as you find a decent airfare, grab it. Sometimes that happens way out, sometimes not. With gas prices so high and no sign of them coming down I figure airfare just going to stay up.

[ledudes]

I usually just keep checking every day. For our upcoming trip I actually booked my flights on 2 different airlines. When I saw the flight times I liked at a good price I booked a one way and then when I found a return flight with times I liked at a low price, I booked that. We fly down on Southwest and back on jet blue. Both were under $100

[mudpuppysmom]

Check multiple times during the day
Check with different carriers
Sign up for loyalty programs (as someone said)
Keep checking and crossing your fingers!

I remember when my older DS and I BOTH flew roundtrip for $180 -- now ONE person roundtrip is $180 and I looked and looked before booking.....ended up on SWA on some mileage special promo -- the fare depended on mileage flown.

It's like playing the craps tables these days with airfare......you take a gamble and hope for the best!

[VWL Mom]

I use yapta both before and after booking. They email you with price changes or you can go there an check the fares you're watching. Sometimes I get their email before I get the Jet Blue one.

[Daddy Mouse]

In the past, I have researched and checked on flights in the morning and evening. The prices change frequently. I also started out checking a travel sight like Orbitz but then was able to get cheaper flight through the airline itself. I hope this helps you.

[CanadianWDWFan]

Research is the best thing to do right now with the way airfares are. Also check from other airports close by, I even check airports four hours from home. As mentioned, there are websites that will track airfares for you. They are good for trending but you have to be on top of things and be ready to book the flights at a moments notice.

Airfare is getting to be one of the biggest expenses for a trip anywhere. For us now it is WAY cheaper to drive. The fuel costs for our drive are something like a quarter of the cost of airfare now.

[WDWCrazyKaren]

And remember, check every week on Tuesday afternoons, after 2:00PM Eastern time. That's when the best deals are announced. They usually go back up again as early as Wednesday mornings, but Tuesday afternoons are the best time to check air fares.

[Mogie]

I would say the earlier the better. Think November-December latest. March air travel is heavy with Spring Breakers.

[mydisneygirls]

Karen is right. You will find cheaper airfare on a Tuesday. Check fares to Tampa airport as well. We're flying down in 2 weeks, but the airfare from Boston to Orlando was outrageous and the fare hardly went down. I saved over $500 flying to Tampa and although I have to rent a car, I'm still saving $400! I've flown into Tampa on a few prior trips and it isn't a bad ride up to DW (only a half hour longer from Orlando airport).

[Fangorn]

And remember, check every week on Tuesday afternoons, after 2:00PM Eastern time. That's when the best deals are announced.

While the Tuesday thing used to be pretty much a given, it's not quite so true anymore. The airlines, particularly Southwest, are changing prices at all times of the day and every day of the week. Tuesdays are still good days to check, but so are Wednesdays through Mondays.

The key is to check multiple times every day, and jump on any fare you're happy with.

Steve