I am a new comer to the island. My family has vacationed twice in Aruba, once in 2004 and once in 2005. Each year air fare costs between $800 - $1,000 per person. With a family of 4 this can be a major obsetcal.

Any thoughts on how and when to get better airfare?

We travel to Aruba in July. Normally we can catch an airfare for around $500. Not this year. Between the lack of competition, higher fuel and additional surcharges added to the ticket price the fare is running anywhere between $690 and $1050. Really outrageous. Especially, since the Boston flights are cheaper than NY.

Can't wait until AA gets a little more competition. Maybe then they'll lower their fares.

try skyauction.com.
good luck

milage cards earn miles
i will have enough miles next year for a free ticket

Tony - Where are you flying out of. It can make a $300.00 difference.<BigPapa>

You didn't say where you were flying from????

Try the web site sidestep.com. This site compares fares from many different sites and you can pick the least expensive fare. Depending on where you are traveling from, you shoiuld be able to do better than $800 to $1000 per ticket.

Tony,
It is a never ending work in progress. You have to be diligent. Try Expedia, Cheap Flights, and Orbitz. You can sign-up with Orbitz through fare detector. If they find the fare you think might be resonable you will get notified through e-mail. Also try the major airlines' web sites. US Air, American, and others have many/daily flights to Aruba. Check daily, you may find some good deals.
Look into charter flights through companies like GWV. They offer low fares out of some cities but you are restricted on which days to depart and return.
I guess the important question is where do you fly out of and what time of year you and your family like to go? These details do have a bearing on how much you pay.
It is worth the effort. Good luck!

Last year we went to Aruba for the 1st time in July and paid $350 per ticket for a family of four. This year the cost for the same week is $629 (and that was the cheapest I could find after looking for a long time). Last year I bought in May for the July flight and got lucky. This year I bought in February. I would say one thing you can try to do is save up FF mileage and go, although you need to make sure you jump on any available seats quickly and far enough in advance.

I just found a fare for $500.00 from CT. to Aruba, July 10th-17th through Orbitz. It is a US airways flight, good luck