Philly/newark airfare end of August

[zacstacy]

Hello this is my first time going to Aruba and am looking to fly out of Philly or Newark whichever ends up with the best non-stop price. Anyone know when seems to be the best time to book for the last week in August? I'm going with my family so it's 5 tickets and right now the prices seem too high. Newark is $543 non-stop and Philly is $720 1 stop. Do you think they will drop in the next couple of months. I see that now till April is high season and the airfare is around $440 non-stop. I will go to Newark if Philly doesn't add a non-stop for that time since we are traveling with 3 kids 12 and under. Thanks in Advance for your advise.

PS - I have signed up for yapta alerts but just thought I'd see from your experience what you think!

[gaby]

well the $543 price is including taxes so that's the total price. Its cheaper than Philly's price of $720 and it is also non-stop. So right then & there I'd go with Newark. The problem with airlines is that year to year there is no rhyme or reason to when they drop prices. some years its 8 weeks before, others its 4 months before. I think whatever you feel comfortable with, book it. it could go lower and it could go higher.
i know i can look in the morning & its one price and then three hours later it is lower and then two hours later it is twice the amount of the morning.

what i do is check periodically all day long and the minute I see a decent flight amount, i book and don't look back or care where it goes from there. especially with airlines like continental since they don't care if it drops lower, they don't credit you or anything.

once i land in aruba, i could care less what the cost was, lol, i'm just so happy to be there.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by gaby

The problem with airlines is that year to year there is no rhyme or reason to when they drop prices. some years its 8 weeks before, others its 4 months before. I think whatever you feel comfortable with, book it. it could go lower and it could go higher.

AMEN!

I could not agree more. Book at a price you feel comfortable with and do not look back. Most airlines will not refund the difference unless you pay a change fee which in most cases is going to be more than the cost of the savings.

BTW, if anyone can predict with 100% guarantee, the best time to buy flights at lowest cost, tell me which stocks to buy, what roulette numbers to play and a couple of winning lotto numbers.

[lucky]

the cheapest nonstop fare i have seen in the last year out of newark was about $400.00 with all fee's.depending on season and day of week.

[serene56]

wre are you seeing 543 non stop from Newark.?


We are going to Aruba the last week in August too. And I am afraid that if that price does not come down-- we will not be going.


But that being said--last year when I was looking at prices-- I jumped the gun and booked airtran. 3 months before the trip my one stop airtran changed to a 2 stop and USAIr price came down.

I am hoping that will be the thing that happens this year.

[Chadd]

Originally Posted by gaby

The problem with airlines is that year to year there is no rhyme or reason to when they drop prices. some years its 8 weeks before, others its 4 months before.

It's all based on completed bookings and projections made by historical analysis. Unless you know how many other people have already purchased their tickets, there is no way to predict what the prices will do. Seat maps are notoriously incorrect as the inventory control department will hold back a certain number of seats and release them at intervals as you get closer to the date of the flight.

[Karen Lutzker]

Best thing to do is keep checking. That is what I do. I have found some good fares by doing this. Check differrent times of the day. I have heard that the rates change at midnight if anyone stays up that late LOL!

[serene56]

Originally Posted by Chadd

Seat maps are notoriously incorrect as the inventory control department will hold back a certain number of seats and release them at intervals as you get closer to the date of the flight.

if thats the case-- no one bought tickets on that flight yet. Its completely empty except for the 6 seats on the very back of the plane and the 5 seats in the exit isle.