Airline tickets
May 23, 2006 7:54 AM
I'm flying from Portland to DC in mid July for 2 weeks. Tickets are currently $400-500 and haven't budged for weeks. Anyone here have experience in the travel industry that can comment on the likelihood of prices falling in the near future? I'm a little stressed that I'm playing with fire by waiting. If it matters, I'm more interested in the non-stop option, for which there are fewer flights.
At least a few years ago, prices would go up reliably at 14 days out. You're better off buying ASAP in my uninformed opinion.
posted by sohcahtoa at 8:04 AM on May 23, 2006
posted by sohcahtoa at 8:04 AM on May 23, 2006
I live in DC and am from OR, so I fly back and forth once or twice a year. That price is not unreasonable though I generally look for prices to be around 300 or so.
Try sidestep if you haven't already -- and look into flying to Baltimore. BWI is between Baltimore and DC, and actually is as close if not closer than Dulles. Fares to BWI are invariably cheaper.
posted by Heminator at 8:16 AM on May 23, 2006
Try sidestep if you haven't already -- and look into flying to Baltimore. BWI is between Baltimore and DC, and actually is as close if not closer than Dulles. Fares to BWI are invariably cheaper.
posted by Heminator at 8:16 AM on May 23, 2006
I posted a very similar question about Seattle - Atlanta.
posted by matildaben at 8:37 AM on May 23, 2006
posted by matildaben at 8:37 AM on May 23, 2006
This recent NYT article suggests that this is going to be a bad/crowded summer. Which means that prices are likely to stay high, unfortunately.
posted by BT at 8:38 AM on May 23, 2006
posted by BT at 8:38 AM on May 23, 2006
Ticket prices are higher because fuel/oil prices have been higher. You can always try to get a lowball ticket from Priceline, but expect to have 1-2 connections.
posted by camworld at 10:32 AM on May 23, 2006
posted by camworld at 10:32 AM on May 23, 2006
i second camworld's observation about fuel prices and add that airlines have managed to get routes to peak capacity with no intention of adding flights (according to the NYTimes over the last several months). i think you should just book at the usual 21 days out.
it's not quite comparable, but i've been flying the same route between DC and chicago roughly once a month for the last two years or so. begining in january, the fare went up about $50 and hasn't budged. no amount of the usual tricks has turned up a cheaper fare, short of multi-carrier, multi-stop BWI nightmare flights. even at that, after roughly two years of painless flights, easy upgrades and only one delay, i haven't had a smooth flight all year.
posted by crush-onastick at 11:22 AM on May 23, 2006
it's not quite comparable, but i've been flying the same route between DC and chicago roughly once a month for the last two years or so. begining in january, the fare went up about $50 and hasn't budged. no amount of the usual tricks has turned up a cheaper fare, short of multi-carrier, multi-stop BWI nightmare flights. even at that, after roughly two years of painless flights, easy upgrades and only one delay, i haven't had a smooth flight all year.
posted by crush-onastick at 11:22 AM on May 23, 2006
Check the airlines where the DC (or Balitmore) airport is the Hub. Use a variety of depart/arrive dates. When I was planning my trip for NYC, on a whim I checked American Airlines. I'm taking a nonstop flight that is about 75-125 bucks cheaper than all of the Orbitz/priceline/cheap tickets prices and all of those had connections.
posted by nadawi at 3:37 AM on May 24, 2006
posted by nadawi at 3:37 AM on May 24, 2006
http://www.farecast.com just went online! that site should solve the prediction problem.
posted by krautland at 10:42 PM on August 28, 2006
posted by krautland at 10:42 PM on August 28, 2006
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posted by joannemerriam at 7:59 AM on May 23, 2006